P1: Japan Move to Global War

Roots of Militarism and Nationalism:

• Desire to be equal to Western powers

• Belief in Japan’s destiny to lead Asia

• Need for raw materials + markets

• Strategic security (fear of encirclement)

• Reaction to Western imperialism

• Strong support from population + elites

Impact of Treaty of Kanagawa:

• Forced opening by USA → humiliation

• Led to Meiji Restoration

• Rapid modernization (army, navy, industry)

• Beginning of expansionist foreign policy

First Sino-Japanese War (1894–95):

• Japan defeats China → emergence as major power

• Gains Taiwan + influence in Korea

• Triple Intervention forces Japan to give up land

• Creates long-term resentment of Western powers

Anglo-Japanese Alliance:

• Recognition as equal by Western power

• Encouraged further expansion

• Forced it to join WW1

• Replaced by four powers treaty

Early Expansions

• Victory over China → rise as power

• Triple Intervention → resentment of West

• Victory over Russia → confidence in expansion

Twenty-One Demands:

• Attempt to turn China into protectorate

• Strong opposition from US + Britain

• Damaged Japan’s international reputation

• Shows aggressive expansionism early on

Impact of WW1:

• Industrial + export boom

• Strengthened economy short-term

• Inflation + social unrest (Rice Riots)

• Limited military invovlement expanded influence in the pacific

Post-WW1 Weaknesses:

• Failed racial equality clause → resentment

• Still not accepted as equal by West

• Growing mistrust of US + Britain

• Overdependence on exports

Histiography

• Debate for when WW1 started: 1931 vs 1937 vs 1941

• Saburo Ienaga imperialism caused the war

• Michiko Hasegawa oil embargo caused the war

Reasons for Pearl Harbour

• Secure resources (oil)

• Remove US threat

• War in China draining resources

• Belief in quick victory

Lead up to Pearl Harbor:

• US opposes Japanese expansion

• Economic sanctions (oil, trade)

• 1941 oil embargo → major crisis threatened economically

• Tried to settle but couldn’t find agreement

Second Sino Japanese War

• Long and costly war

• Drains resources

• Increases need for further expansion

• Showed Japanese violence Rape of Nanjing

Marco Polo Bridge Incident:

• Trigger for full-scale war with China

• Escalation of conflict

• Government cannot control army

Manchukuo

• Puppet state in Manchuria

• Source of raw materials

• Strengthens Japanese position

Mukden Incident

• False flag attack by Kwantung Army

• Used to justify invasion of Manchuria

• Government unable to control army

• Start of aggressive expansion

Impact of Great Depression:

• Collapse of exports (silk)

• Unemployment + rural poverty

• Loss of faith in democracy

• Militarism seen as solution

Weaknesses by 1920s:

• Weak democracy

• Army not fully controlled

• Dependence on foreign trade

• Resentment towards US + West

• Economic boom comes to an end