Japan + Italy's ambitions and expansionism

when did Mussolini come to power?

October 1922

what was Mussolini’s 2 main aims?

1. greater sphere of influence in the Balkans

2. wanted unredeemed territory on the Adriatic that Italy was promised in 1915 but never received

how did Mussolini rise to power?

started as a socialist but beliefs swung right during ww1 and after he began organising fasci di combattimento - nationalist paramilitary forces and him + other leaders marched into Rome and forced the king to yield the govt to Mussolini

why were Japan’s aims expansionist?

limited resources and ‘living space’ on the home islands

what was Japan’s response when confronted about their expansionist plans?

One Japanese diplomat compared their expansion to that of other imperial nations', linking the occupation of Korea + Manchuria to Britain in India + Australia

what happened in Korea on March 1st 1919?

nationwide anti-Japanese rallies were staged, as Koreans travelled to mourn the former emperor Kojong who remained a symbol of independence - around 2mil people took part in peaceful demonstrations

how did Japanese forces react to the events of March 19th?

brutal repression using gendarmerie + naval + army units - arrested around 47,000 Koreans, whom around 10,600 were indicted, 7,500 killed and 16,000 wounded

what are 2 examples of other Korean resistance movements?

a major anti-Japanese rally held in Seoul in 1926, during the funeral of Emperor Sunjong and a nationwide student uprising in Nov 1929 demanding an end to discrimination

what were Koreans forced to do after the Sino-Japanese war?

Japanese targeted Korean culture. They were forced to worship at Japanese Shinto shrines and even adopt Japanese-style names

what happened to Koreans in the pacific war (ww2) due to the Japanese?

Hundreds of thousands were drafted to fight and work in mines, factories and military bases. The Japanese also forced thousands of Korean women to provide sexual services (as ‘comfort women’) for the military

when was the Sino-Japanese war and who between?

China and Japan in July 1937

why did the Sino-Japanese war start and how did it end?

following an incident near the Marco-Polo Bridge in Wanping after Japanese troops opened fire on local soldiers. A ceasefire was negotiated but then Japan launched a full-scale attack - but the nationalists + CCP entered a shaky 7 month alliance and held them off