Outbreak of War in Asia Pacific and Japan's Defeat in World War 2 Flashcards
To what extent was Japan forced to wage World War II in the Asia Pacific?
1) Meiji Restoration 1868
2) Japanese historical and cultural legacies
3) Japan’s ambition to establish itself in Asia and Europe
How to explain the Meiji Restoration 1868?
The feudal Tokugawa Shogunate came to an end and the emperor returned to power. The Emperor became an influential figure, closely supported by the military. The Meiji emperor led the Meiji Restoration which aimed to strengthen Japan through modernization and industrialization.
This was achieved through:
-Strengthening the military and economy
-Political changes which made the emperor the most powerful political figure in Japan
-A military which closely supported the emperor.
How to explain Japanese historical and cultural legacies?
Great respect for the military and the Emperor’s revered position. Military leaders have highly influential role in Japanese politics. The Japanese people were open to strong military leaders involved in political events due to the precedent set by the Tokugawa Shogunate. The honor-based samurai code was also highly respected and valued. Backing down or surrendering was perceived as dishonorable. All these shaped the mindset of the Japanese in how they reacted to threats of war and relations with other nations.
How to explain Japan’s ambition to establish itself in Asia and Europe?
Wanted to be considered an equal power with the Western powers, with large empires and territories.
This ambition inevitably influenced her relationship with:
-Conflict with Russia
-Alliance with Britain
-Conflicts with China: First Sino-Japanese War and Twenty-One Demands
-Worsening relations with the USA: American racism against Japanese, Paris Peace Conference, Washington Naval Conference and Clash of strategic interests
How to explain Conflict with Russia?
The rise of Japan proved to be a threat to Russian interests in the ‘Far East’. In the 19th century, the Russian empire established an influence in Manchuria and secured a permanent free port. Russia also tried to set up a permanent military and naval based in Manchuria. Japan saw this as a security threat to its interests and influence in Korea. Japan tried to reach a settlement with Russia: it offered to accept Russia’s influence in Manchuria if Russia accepted Japan’s influence in Korea.
This was rejected by Russia. It did not believe in negotiating with Japan as an equal power as the East was seen as less powerful and inferior to the West. Japan responded by declaring war on Russia. The Russo-Japanese war broke out in 1904 and ended when the Japanese defeated the Russians in 1905. Treaty of Portsmouth: Japan gained control of Liaodong Peninsula, the South Manchurian Railway and southern half of the Sakhalin Island. The defeat of Russia a European power won the support of the Japanese and further strengthened the traditional respect for its military.
How to explain Alliance with Britain?
1902: Anglo-Japanese Alliance was signed between Britain and Japan. Renewed in 1905. Britain recognized Japan’s right over Korea, while Japan recognized Britain’s right to defend India. Both agreed that China was a place of ‘common interest’. This has significant as it confirmed Japan’s status as an imperial power over Korea with interest in China. At the same time, Japan was accorded equal status as Britain.
How to explain Conflicts with China—First Sino-Japanese War?
Japan was keen to take advantage of the weak Chinese Qing government to take control of Chinese territory and trade. First Sino-Japanese war broke out between China and Japan in 1894. Treaty of Shimonoseki (1895): China had to give up control of Korea and the island of Taiwan to Japan. Taiwan: administered a first Japanese overseas colony. Korea: attempts to rule indirectly was unsuccessful. In 1910, Japan annexed Korea and ruled it directly. As a colonial power, Japan introduced the construction of railways, schools, and infrastructure.
Education in Japanese, forced labor and military service.
Japan embarked on projects that would benefit Japan economy. By selling raw materials from these colonies cheaply to Japan.
How to explain Conflicts with China—Twenty-One Demands?
19th century: Western powers were very interested in China due to its large territory, population and potential for trade. By then, Japan had:
-Control in Manchuria (after Russo-Japanese War)
-Gained Korea and Taiwan (after First Sino-Japanese War). Hence, it was keen to expand further into China. In 1914, Japan took the opportunity to enter WW1 with objectives of moving against another European power, Germany in the region and wanted to advance into China. During this time, there was instability in China following the fall of the Qing dynasty and power struggle between Yuan Shi Kai and Sun Yat Sen. Japan then delivered the Twenty-One Demands which wanted China to recognize Japanese interests in China.
If the demands were accepted it would have effectively made China its colony. Japan demanded:
-China recognition of her interest in Manchuria,
-Takeover of German interests in Shantung,
-Accepting her political and military advisers.
This is significant to show that it has no intention on sharing a ‘common interest’ over China with Britain in 1905. This ambition created tension between Japan and other European powers in the region. Such aggressive policies also brought conflict with China’s Nationalist government, which wanted to expel all foreign empires in China.
How to explain Worsening relations with the USA—American racism against the Japanese?
19th and 20th century: Racial desegregation and discrimination was common in American society.
Laws were passed to protect American economic interests and to exclude Chinese, Korean and Japanese immigrants to prevent them from competing for jobs.
1882: Chinese Exclusion Act suspended Chinese immigration. 1905: Japanese and Korean Exclusion League Result: Japanese were greatly offended by the racial discrimination and led to tense relations between Japan and the USA. They felt that the Americans had viewed them as inferior.
How to explain Worsening relations with the USA—Paris Peace Conference?
At the Paris Peace Conference, the Japanese delegation demanded for racial equality to be included in the covenant of the League of Nations. This was in response to discrimination of Japanese immigrants in the USA.
However, this was rejected as no unanimous agreement was reached. This caused much unhappiness among the Japanese, who felt they were not given due respect by the Western powers. The USA organized the Washington Naval Conference in 1921. It called for reduction in naval forces of the major powers. Japan had to reduce their naval strength more than the USA and Britain.
Japan was upset as they felt the agreement was unfair and biased against them.
How to explain Worsening relations with the USA—Clash of Strategic interests?
Japan’s ambitions and interest also brought in into direct conflict with the European powers, China and the USA.
In 1919, Japan objected the Treaty of Versailles, auguring that the treaty aimed to preserve the power of victorious Allied powers and leave no room for Japan’s expansionist ambitions. Thus, the strategic interests of Japan and its ambition to expand in the Asia Pacific would inevitably bring Japan into conflict with major powers, especially USA.
What are the Crises in Japan?
1) Economic crisis and Overpopulation issues
2) Growth of military influence in Japanese politics
How to explain Economic crisis and Overpopulation issues?
Economic crisis
1)Decreased availability of land for farming
2)Farmers traditional farming methods could not produce enough food supplies
3)Shortage of rice and other food supplies DISCONTENTMENT! Japanese lost faith in the government
4)Population boom in Japan (45 million in 1900 to 64 million in 1930)
5)Great Depression, 1929
USA & Britain practiced Protectionism to boost their own economies.
6)Fall in demand for Japanese exports in other countries
As a result of protectionism, other countries imposed restrictions and taxation on Japanese exports
Result: Economic Depression in Japan
Overpopulation
There was a population boom in the beginning of the 20th century. As the population grew bigger, demand for housing, goods and products increased.
The need to provide more resources and living space for its citizens meant that there was increasing support for an expansionistic policy. At the same time, Japan was also politically unstable, as the rise of militarism fueled Japan’s expansionist ambitions and aggressive attitudes in its relations with other countries.
How to explain Growth of military influence in Japanese politics?
Political climate in Japan was unstable.
Start of the 20th century, many democratic political parties in Japan. The Emperor selected the Prime Minister from the political parties. However, the military wanted a greater role and more influence in government policies. Due to tradition of respect, the people supported the military. The military and nationalists tired to gain control of the state through assassinations.
May 1932: Prime Minister Tsuyoshi Inukai was assassinated. Martial law was declared—the military effectively controlled the government. New cabinet consists of mostly military figures. Subsequent prime ministers were also pressured to bow to the military in fear of assassinations and political violence. Which contributed to the rise of Japanese militarism. And in turn directly impacted Japan’s aggressive foreign and expansionist policy.
What are the Short-term factors?
1) Japanese expansionist and foreign policy
2) Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
3) Weaknesses of the League of Nations
