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Thesis
The rise of militarism and ultranationalism in Taisho Japan (1912-1926), fueled by structural weaknesses in the political system, economic anxieties, and the actions of ultranationalist societies, led to the increasing influence of the army in politics and acts of political violence, ultimately undermining democratic processes and setting the stage for Japan's expansionist policies in the 1930s.
Paragraph 1: Reasons for the Rise of Militarism and Ultranationalism - topic sentence
Several factors converged in the Taisho era to create fertile ground for the growth of militarism and extreme nationalism.
Paragraph 1: Reasons for the Rise of Militarism and Ultranationalism - evidence
Structural Weaknesses of the Meiji Constitution: The Meiji Constitution allowed the military to operate independently, answering only to the Emperor (Yamagata Aritomo – Imperial Rescript (1898), Meiji Constitution = only answerable to emperor). The Genro continued to wield influence.
Economic Problems: Dissatisfaction in the urban AND rural class. 1927 Banking Crisis ⇒unemployment rose to 1 million – worsened by Wall Street Crash, over-reliance on exports. Extremist movements.
Influence of Ultranationalist Societies: Ultranationalist societies created = dissatisfied officer class in 1920, such as the Black River Society. The Sakurakai, established in 1930, wanted to set up a military government. Kita Ikki’s "Outline Plan for the Reorganisation of Japan" advocated for wealth redistribution and imperial restoration, appealing to unemployed officers.
Western Treatment: London Naval Conference (1930): 10:10:6 – heavy cruisers, 10:10:7 – destroyers. Hamaguchi Yuko, responsible for signing London Naval Treaty (which angered military officers, who thought gov’t had no right to overstep into military affairs) → Yuko shot → resigned → died.
Analysis: The combination of constitutional flaws, economic instability, ultranationalist ideologies, and perceived slights from the West provided both the means and the motivation for the rise of militarism.
Paragraph 2: Impact: Increasing Influence of the Army, Political Coups, and Assassinations - topic sentence
The increasing influence of the army in politics, coupled with political violence, fundamentally destabilized Taisho Democracy.
Paragraph 2: Impact: Increasing Influence of the Army, Political Coups, and Assassinations - evidence
Increasing Influence of the Army: By the 1930s, the military had no accountability to parliament and acted independently. 1931 – two coups by Cherry Blossom Society and did not get punished.
Manchurian Incident: Sept 1931 → used forces to blow up south Manchurian railroad (pretext to Manchuria invasion). Planned by Ishiwara/Doihara/Itagaki without knowledge of Kwantung Army Generals or HQ in Tokyo. Kwantung Army – 100k troops in Japanese Railway Zone.
Political Assassinations and Coups: Failure to respond to internal AND external assassinations gave the military free reign over politics and no accountability. Hara Kei was assassinated in 1921. Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi was assassinated in 1932 after the Manchurian Incident (May 15, 1932). League of Blood Incident: Feb 1932 – attempt of League of Blood to assassinate 13 leaders of liberals. Feb Coup 1936 – military officers attempted coup to remove obstacles preventing union between emperor and people.
Erosion of Civilian Control: Saionji and military refused to allowed Seiyukai to form cabinet. Wave of assassinations made Admiral Saito Makoto a PM of national unity cabinet, with only 5/15 ministers from political party.
Analysis: Political assassinations and attempted coups created an environment of fear and intimidation, effectively silencing dissenting voices and allowing the military to exert greater control over the government and policymaking.
