Japanese Nationalism and Militarism
Need for strategic security
Popular enthusiasm for militarism and expansionism
Need for raw Materials and Markets
The Actions of Western Powers
Desire for Equality with the west
The military success of the Sino-Japanese war coupled with frustration of having to relinquish some land to a western power spurred Japan to want to expand both militarily and territorially.
They were partially afraid of communism coming over from Russia and wanted to be strong enough to resist any influence.
Were noticing the major powers heavily influencing and "taking over" other Asian countries; they wanted to be ready to face the coming conflict.
The army was modernized, and tactics from Germany's military were adapted.
Japan itself is very short on natural resources, with 50% of its land as mountainous regions.
Belief in destiny as leader of Asia
Commadore Matthew Perry
Treaty of Kanagawa
Imperialist foreign policy
The Treaty of Kanagawa was mostly one-sided for the US, so Japan felt threatened and wanted to be on equal footing/power.
Japan felt they would suffer a similar fate to China if they did not start becoming more like the west.
Germany, Russia, and France forced Japan to give up the Liaodong peninsula (Triple Intervention)
Wanted all the resources that came with expansion/power
Japan established a new navy with help from the British
More natural resources
More territory for their growing population
Sino-Japanese war was a success for the Japanese, who in part took this to be prophetic, and speak of their superiority above other Asian nations.
Then Russia took over the Liaodong peninsula, infuriating Japan
Germany took over Shandong Province
Treaty of Tientsin
The Japanese saw how China was treated and how they were caught unprepared. The Treaty of Tientsin showed Japan how much they needed to be strong enough and on equal ground with other superpowers.
Russo-Japanese War
The victory over Russia further gave the Japanese a taste for military expansionism and power.
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Loss of territory after gaining it through war encouraged growth of militarism and nationalism in Japan
Victories
Sino-Japanese war, Russo-Japanese war; all these gave them a sense of importance and superiority.
Manchuria was agriculturally rich with natural resources. It also provided possible living space for the increased Japanese population.
Manchuria could act as a buffer again the threat from Russia