Impact of Japan Militarism Flashcards
Political Consolidation: Increased Military Influence
- 1934, more military influence
- military take govt positions
- military success = more support
- military govt controlled political life
e.g. ‘Electoral Purification’ campaign aiming to remove corrupt government practices, but really to purify individuals and groups particularly socialists and communists who disapproved of militarism
Political Consolidation: Increased Military Influence (LINK)
- increased military influence
- govt dominated by military men
- allowed military to consolidate control and strengthen influence
- win public support, change political life
- political parties and voting became obsolete
Political Consolidation: Emergence of Control Faction in Government
- Govt divided into Imperial Way Faction and Control Faction
- Imperial Way Faction (led by General Araki Sadao)
- less emphasis on modernising economy and military
- more emphasis on Bushido spirit and developing values such as honour, loyalty and obedience
- wanted to remove corrupt government and restore direct rule of emperor
- attempted coup on 26 Feb 1932 which failed, giving way to control faction
- Control Faction (led by General Toko Hideki)
- believed war with West was inevitable, prepare for war
- believed govt should cooperate with heads of zaibatsu and give them control of key industry sectors
Political Consolidation: Emergence of Control Faction in Government (LINK)
- At this point, military had so much influence in Cabinet they could appoint active general from military as a Minister For War (which they could not do so before)
- Control faction prepped Japan for war
Political Consolidation: Loss of political power for civilian government
- growing military influence diminished civilian politician power
- public supported military’s expansionist plans
- July 1937: Prince Konoe Fumimaro appointed as PM, military invaded China
- October 1937: PM permitted Cabinet Planning Office comprising only military officers, military officer controlling Japan’s finances rather than civillian politician
- October 1941: Army Minister General Tojo Hideki took over PM position, military had total control over government
Political Consolidation: Loss of political power for civilian government (LINK)
- military officer as PM further consolidated military influence in govt
- PM Tojo influential, had support of military dominated cabinet
- shaped Japan’s expansionist plans
Economic Consolidation: Increased Government Control over Industries
- Japan Industrialisation
- measures put in place to strengthen economy and tighten control in prep for war
- industrialisation efforts -> self-sufficient and industrially strong
- heavy emphasis on industrialisation efforts -> heavy industries and chemical production
- production of arms
- big construction projects e.g. roads, railways, bridges
- New Zaibatsu - Nissan, Mori - important to Japan empire through economic development and exploitation in Korea & Manchuria
Economic Consolidation: Increased Government Control over Industries (IMPACT)
+ve impact:
- Industrialisation worked well, econ improve after 1932
- employment and increased SOL
- increase in national sentiments, pride and support towards militarist government
-ve impact:
- heavy emphasis on heavy industries resulted in little growth in consumer industries (clothes, shows), poor QOL
Economic Consolidation: Control of the Industry
- govt exercised greater control over industry, especially Zaibatsu
- believed that competition between zaibatsu was wasteful, feared they would seek profits at expense of the country
- e.g. not wanting an unprofitable railway despite benefitting transport network
- Principle Industries Control Law (1931):
- zaibatsu could legally form cartel (collaborate and work together)
- government controlled zaibatsu despite initial resistance
- 1936: officials & military commanders in Cabinet directly controlled electric power industry
- 1937: govt introduced 5-year plan, setting targets for production in industries
Economic Consolidation: Control of the Industry (IMPACT)
+ve impact:
- prevented zaibatsu from being self-serving and profit maximizing, fair prices for citizens
- big businesses (esp those involved in war), thrived, more job opportunities, boost econ
- enhanced Japan war prep
-ve impact:
- Loss of control made Zaibatsu feel alienated
Economic Consolidation: Control of Trade Unions
- 1920s: trade unions encouraged -> stability
- 1936: unions no longer favoured, dissolved by General Federation of Work, involved many unions related to military
- War Ministry initiated unions to disband as they were obstacle to military plans to take over industries for war purpose, affecting thousands of workers
Economic Consolidation: Control of Trade Unions (IMPACT)
+ve impact:
- Without strikes, stable society and productive economy, benefit Japan
-ve impact:
- no trade unions -> lack of worker right as they could not strike for pay -> lower QOL, harsher working conditions
- compromised worker welfare, leading to potential loss of popularity of militarist government
Economic Consolidation: Campaign of Economic Revitalisation
- Many farmers in heavy debt after Great Depression
- struggled to pay rent, taxes and feed family
- government introduces measures to help farmers pay their debts e.g. increased public work in countryside to provide jobs for people there
1932: Campaign of Economic Revitalisation launched by Ministry of Agriculture
- propaganda & practical proposals
- emphasis on revival of spirit of cooperation in rural areas
- encourage scientific methods rather than traditional ones to farmers
- farmers received guidance on how to manage crops and finances
- success stories to encourage farmers to participate
Economic Consolidation: Campaign of Economic Revitalisation (IMPACT)
+ve impact:
- better tools -> increased efficiency -> more crops, higher income
- improvement in farmers living standards, decrease rural-urban divide
- increased support for militarist government
-ve impact:
- conditions did not improve significantly as the government was focused on industrialisation efforts rather than agriculture
Social Impact: Militarisation of Education
