Conflicting Forces in Japan

1
Conflicting Forces in Japan

• Chapter 12
• Section 5

2
Japan (Land of Sushi)
3
Expansion of Japanese Economy

• Japanese economy grew during World War I, based
  on the export of goods to the Allies and
  increased production
• At this time, Japan also expanded its influence
  throughout East Asia and sought further rights in
  China
• Additionally, Japan gained control of some former
  German possessions in China after the war
• Hirohito became emperor of Japan in 1926, and
  during his reign, the country experienced both
  success and tragedy

4
Japanese Emperor Hirohito
5
Democracy in Japan

• In the 1920s, the Japanese government moved
  toward greater democracy
• All adult men gained the right to vote,
  regardless of social class
• Despite greater democratic freedoms, the
  zaibatsu, a group of powerful business leaders,
  manipulated the politicians
• By donating to political parties, the zaibatsu
  were able to push for policies that favored their
  interests

6
Discontent in Japan

• Peasants and factory workers did not share in the
  nations prosperity
• Young Japanese rejected tradition and family
  authority
• There was tension between the government and the
  military

7
Discontent in Japan

• The Great Depression fed the discontent of the
  military and the extreme nationalists, or
  ultranationalists
• They resented Western limits on the expansion of
  Japans empire

8
Economic Crisis in Japan

• As the economic crisis worsened, the
  ultranationalists set their sights on Manchuria
  in northern China
• In 1931, a group of Japanese army officers set
  explosives to blow up railroad tracks in
  Manchuria
• They blamed it on the Chinese and used it as an
  excuse to invade

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(No Transcript)
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Manchuria Region of China
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Economic Crisis in Japan

• Without consulting government leaders, the
  military conquered Manchuria
• Politicians objected to the armys actions, but
  the people sided with the military
• When the League of Nations condemned the
  invasion, Japan withdrew from the organization

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Power Increases in Japan

• Militarists and ultranationalists increased their
  power in the 1930s
• Extremists killed some politicians and business
  leaders who opposed expansion
• To please the ultranationalists, the government
  suppressed most democratic freedoms
• Japan planned to take advantage of Chinas civil
  war and conquer the country

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World War II

• In 1939, however, World War II broke out in
  Europe
• The fighting spread quickly to Asia
• Earlier, Japan had formed an alliance with
  Germany and Italy
• In September, 1940, Japans leaders signed the
  Tripartite Pact linking Germany, Italy, and Japan
  together
• Together, the three nations formed the Axis Powers

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Powerpoint Questions

• 1. Who earned the right to vote?
• 2. Who became the Japanese emperor in 1926?
• 3. Explain zaibatsu.
• 4. What groups experienced growing tension among
  each other?
• 5. What were the extreme Japanese nationalists
  called?

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Powerpoint Questions

• 6. What area of China did Japan invade in 1931?
• 7. What side did the Japanese people support with
  respect to the invasion of China?
• 8. Who condemned the invasion?
• 9. What was Japans military goal toward China?
• 10. What three countries formed the Axis Powers
  in World War II?

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The End