ChinaJapanInterwar

New Forces in China and Japan

• Nationalism and Revolution -热爱祖国, 热爱共产党 (Love the Motherland, Love the Communist Party) -热爱社会主义 (Love Socialism)

Upheavals in China

• Period of Instability

• 1912: Collapse of Qing Dynasty; Puyi abdicates.

• Warlord Era: Sun Yat-sen's failure to unify China.

• 1917-1924: Brief return of the dynasty to stabilize the nation.

• Increasing Western Influence

• Foreign powers exert significant influence, causing nationalist resentment.

• Economic Disparity

• Many Chinese citizens are poor peasants.

Twenty One Demands

• Japan's Ambitions

• Japan aimed to make China a protectorate.

• Chinese government acquiesced to some demands during this time of weakness.

• Treaty of Versailles resulted in ceding some Chinese territory to Japan.

• Consequent bitterness in China led to the May Fourth Movement.

Calls for Reform

• Response to the Treaty of Versailles

• Chinese outrage over Qingdao being given to Japan sparks protests.

• Beijing students protested on May 4, 1919; the movement spread nationwide.

• Movement advocated for modernization, anti-imperialism, and interest in Marxism.

• Policy changes:

• Ban on foot-binding.

• Increased access to education.

• Fascination with Marxism spread, with the new Soviet Union training Chinese in communism.

Nationalists and Communists

• Nationalists (Guomindang)

• Desire for democratic governance primarily among elites.

• Communists

• Attracted by socialism, primarily poorer classes.

• Vanguard Elite

• Soviet-trained leaders lead the Revolution.

Civil War between Nationalists and Communists

• 1927: Shanghai Massacre where the Guomindang slaughtered most Communists.

• Marks the beginning of a 22-year civil war.

• Significant event:

• The Long March (1934-1936).

China Faces Japanese Imperialism

• Civil war diverted focus from Japanese threats.

• 1931: Japan invades Manchuria.

• 1937: Second Sino-Japanese War begins with further Japanese invasion.

Temporary Alliances

• Chiang and Mao cease hostilities to confront the Japanese invasion.

• Significant events:

• 1926: Start of civil war between Guomindang and Communists.

• 1936: Both factions defeat warlords.

• Alliance formed to combat Japan while Communists retreat.

Japan on the Rise in the 1920s

• Liberal Reforms and Democratic Movements

• Expanded democracy in the 1920s with political parties gaining strength.

• Universal male suffrage introduced, political parties were influenced by zaibatsu.

• Western concerns over Japan's rapid expansion.

Underlying Issues in Japan

• Economic Disparity

• Rural peasants did not share in the nation's prosperity.

• Urban factory workers suffered low wages.

• Existing poverty attracted people to socialist ideals.

• Population Growth

• Japanese population doubled from 1870-1925.

Economic Fluctuations in Japan

• Overall growth during the 1920s but marked by extremes.

• Notable disasters:

• 1923 Tokyo earthquake causing 650,000 buildings damaged and over 100,000 deaths.

• Massive job losses as businesses were destroyed.

Nationalist Reaction to Economic Crisis

• 1929: Great Depression impacts Japan profoundly.

• Foreign demand decreased leading to skyrocketing unemployment and famine among peasants.

Rise of Ultranationalists

• Economic crisis led to increased discontent among military officers.

• Ultranationalists blamed politicians for conceding to Western nations.

• Claimed Japan’s empire was insignificant compared to Western powers.

Demands for Expansion

• Economic declines fueled calls for territorial expansion.

• Vision of an Asian empire for raw materials and ample territory for the population growth.

• Targeted Manchuria for expansion.

International Condemnation

• League of Nations condemned Japanese aggression against China.

• Japan's response: withdrawal from the League.

• National government broke agreements on limiting armament, faced no punitive actions.

Militaristic Government in Japan

• Revival of warrior values and cult of Emperor Hirohito.

• Education system focused on absolute obedience to the emperor.

Alliances and World War II

• 1936: Japan aligns with aggressive powers like Germany and Italy.

• Signs Anti-Comintern Pact.

Japanese Invasion of China

• Preparatory airstrikes on Chinese cities.

• Notorious Rape of Nanjing; December 13: Nanjing conquered.

• Japanese soldiers executed remaining residents - atrocities fill historical records.

World War II Dynamics

• 1940: Japan, Germany, and Italy form the Tripartite Pact, known as the Axis Powers.

• This alliance escalated conflicts across Asia and the Pacific.