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Overall Thesis
While the Taisho period (1912-1926) in Japan witnessed the growth of liberal values and the emergence of a two-party system, these developments were ultimately undermined by persistent structural issues within the government, economic instability, and a rising tide of social and political conservatism, preventing the full realization of a stable liberal democracy.
Paragraph 1: The Rise of Liberal Values and the Two-Party System - Topic sentence
The Taisho era saw significant, albeit limited, progress in democratization, marked by the rise of political parties and the expansion of political participation.
Paragraph 1: The Rise of Liberal Values and the Two-Party System - Evidence
Emergence of Two-Party System: Ito Hirobumi created the Seiyukai in 1900. Aritomo created Rikken Doshikai in 1913. The Seiyukai and Doshikai (later Kenseikai and then Minseito) became the dominant political forces, occasionally alternating in power between 1924-1932.
Expansion of Suffrage: Hara Kei, a commoner nominated as Prime Minister in 1918, lowered voting qualifications in 1919, increasing the electorate to 3 million.
Social and Political Movements: Increased tolerance for left-wing movements, leading to the rise of labor organizations like the Greater Japan Federation of Labour (500 strikes in 1919) and the Japanese Federation of Labour (100,000 members by 1921). Feminist groups like the New Woman’s Association (1919) and the Red Wave Society (1920) also emerged.
Analysis: This demonstrates a shift towards greater political participation and the articulation of diverse political ideologies, including liberalism, socialism, and feminism.
Paragraph 2: Factors Undermining Taisho Democracy- Topic Sentence:
Despite initial progress, Taisho Democracy was plagued by underlying issues that ultimately led to its demise.
Paragraph 2: Factors Undermining Taisho Democracy- Evidence
Structural Weaknesses: The Meiji Constitution allowed the military (Army and Navy Ministers) to exert undue influence, as seen in the Taisho Political Crisis of 1912. The Genro continued to select Prime Ministers until 1940, limiting the power of elected officials. The military remained independent of parliamentary control.
Economic Instability: The wartime boom (1914-1920) was followed by a postwar bust (1920-1921), leading to unemployment. The Showa financial crisis of 1927 exacerbated inequality, as zaibatsu consolidated power. Rural areas suffered from underfunding and emigration, leading to social conflict.
Rise of Conservatism and Ultranationalism: The Peace Preservation Law of 1925 suppressed dissent, leading to the arrest of 70,000 people by 1945. Ultranationalists exploited the urban/rural divide and economic anxieties. Military expansion into Manchuria was seen as a "lifeline" due to overpopulation and resource needs.
Political Violence: Hara Kei was assassinated in 1921, and Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi was assassinated in 1932 for trying to prevent the Manchurian takeover, marking a symbolic end to Taisho Democracy.
Analysis: These factors created an environment of instability and distrust in the government, paving the way for the rise of militarism and the suppression of liberal values.
