Challenges that caused Japan's Militarism

Question 1

Explain how Great Depression affected Japan’s Government

Answer 1

• Unemployment: Mass unemployment → Businesses collapsed under the weight of the economic crisis ,Labor laws offered little protection → More workers vulnerable. Many employees receive only 14 days’ pay as severance. Impact underscored urgent needs for labor reforms and social safety nets to safeguard workers’ rights and the future
• Fear of Communism: Increasing Unemployment and presence of Communist agitators → heightened fear of communism as Economic hardships deepened → people sought the prospect of communism and the potential for revgolution to grow. The Japanese Communist Party exploited these circumstances and advocated for radical change.

Question 2

What were the political challenges that caused Japan’s Militarism?

Answer 2

• A weak and sickly Emperor + weak Genro 🡪 inability to enforce rules and policies to unify government 🡪 Allowed Military to rise to Power with little Resistance
• Political rivalry between Seiyukai and Minseito hindered effective governance. Worsen the division between civilian politicians, relationships of the members and the military.
• Military was opposed to internationalism policy of diplomacy and trade and resented the civilian politicians and their Cabinets for cutting military budget 🡪 acted on their own and disregarded the Prime Minister (PM)
• Divisions within the Diet (coalition government) made it challenging for PM to gain support of the majority 🡪 the diet often broke apart
• The Prime Minister lacked the authority to remove military officials who opposed his policies, weakening civilian control over the military.
• Military also won battles against Russia/Chinaand got resources and proved everyone that they were better.

Question 3

What were the economical challenges that caused Japan’s Militarism?

Answer 3

• After the war, global demand for Japanese goods decreased sharply, leading to a sudden economic slowdown. Inflation surged, causing a sharp increase in the cost of living, especially for staple foods like rice. By the early 1920s, the price of rice had increased by 174%, making necessities unaffordable for much of the population.
• Inflation disproportionately affected peasants, tenant farmers, and urban workers, who struggled to afford everyday items.
• One of the earliest manifestations of public dissatisfaction was the Rice Riots of 1918, where tens of thousands of Japanese protested the rapid rise in rice prices.
• Despite public outcry, the civilian government failed to implement effective policies to curb inflation or reduce unemployment.

Question 4

What were the social challenges that caused Japan’s Militarism?

Answer 4

• Government continued to support zaibatsu -> wealth concentrated into the hands of big business -> gap between rich and poor widened
• Rural Urban Divide, predominantly neglected agrarian society facing economic disparities and political exclusion
• Riots led by angry workers were triggered by the sudden increase in the prices of commodities.