Chap 5: outbreak of ww2 in asia-pacific Flashcards
What was the significance of the manchurian crisis?
Background:
-Manchuria was seen as the perfect solution to japan’s lack of natural resources as it was rich in coal and iron
-the idea that japan should extend its control to manchuria became very popular in japan by 1931
-Instability in china( the GMD was combating the chinese communist party and many local warlords did not fully accept the GMD’s authority) was used as an excuse for japan to invade and ‘stabilise’ the nation
-china appealed to the LoN in oct 1931
-passed a resolution for japan to withdraw its troops but japan did not listen and the LoN was unable to do anything about it
Consequences:
-tarnished reputation of the LoN, showing it was helpless in the face of aggressor countries
-encouraged japan to expand further into asia as manchuria gave japan a position to expand into china and they had access to the resources in manchuria for its growing industries
What drove japan’s expansionist foreign policy?
Rise of japanese militarism:
-many military commanders were ultranationalists and felt that it was japan’s destiny to remove the western powers from asia and expand its rule over asia (they saw themselves as saviors)
The western powers:
-saw Britain(many colonies), russia(communist), usa(many colonies) as rivals and obstacles to achieving their ambitions
USA:
-Felt abandoned by the usa with its economic policies against japan in the 1930s that left thousands of japanese workers in unemployment when it stopped importing goods from japan
USSR:
-communism went against japan’s ideologies of loyalty to the emperor
-wanted to control territories in asia to hold back the ussr and gain the resourcrs needed to combat USSR if needed
Britain:
-criticised japan over the invasion of manchuria
-was on friendly terms with the usa
-had many colonies in asia
The great depression:
-damaged japans economy greatly bc of its heavy reliance on foreign trade, leading to terrible unemployment
-convinced the ultranationalist politicians and military commanders that democracy was failing as it could not solve the problems for the people
-tariffs imposed onto japan further hurt japans export trade, convincing them that other countries could not be relied upon and japan needed to be self-sufficient
How did the outbreak of WW2 in europe allow japan to expand into asia-pacific?
-most of the western powers were occupied with germany and could not defend their territories in asia simultaneously
-germany also occupied the USSR by invading it so they could not stop japan
-provided japan with the golden opportunity to take over the colonies of the western powers
How did the outbreak of WW2 in europe allow japan to expand into asia-pacific?
-most of the western powers were occupied with germany and could not defend their territories in asia simultaneously
-germany also occupied the USSR by invading it so they could not stop japan
-provided japan with the golden opportunity to take over the colonies of the western powers
