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Causes of Japanese Expansion - Coggle Diagram
Causes of Japanese Expansion
Nationalism and Militarism on foreign policy
Gunboat Diplomacy
Americans came and used gunboat diplomacy against Japan
Japan realised that the tactic works and that they are behind the rest of the world in terms of industrialisation
leads to the Meiji Restoration
1639: Foreigners expelled from Japan
1830s: Japan refused to give permission for Fear Eastern Squadron (US Navy) to land in the Harbour and refuse trade
1851: Formal American expedition to Japan, wanted to trade shipwrecked sailors with Japan, gave the Emperor a letter discussing trade (but at this point the emperor was more just a figurehead)
1853: 8th July: Matthew Perry arrives in Tokyo, hoping to re-establish trade relations, has a more formal offer adn threatens force if Japan refuse
1854: Perry returns, Treaty of Kanagawa signed on 21st March
Treaty includes favoured nation clause
1858: Harris Treaty signed (first commercial treaty)
1860: Japanese delegation arrive in Washington DC, agree to more ports open to the US, realise worldwide industrialisation and want to become a power - leads to weakened government
Meiji Restoration
Bring back the Meiji Emperor as the head of state
want a change as they realise they were isolated during the Shogunate
ultranationalist state
ends the 250 policy against foreigners
Meiji Constitution
1889: constitution given to the people of Japan by the emperor
Emperor as head of states
Diet established
House of representatives/House of peers
Privy Council
Cabinet
Military (have a lot of influence and are directly loyal to the emperor)
Special Mission
they felt they were on a special mission because ...
emperor is divine
have never been conquered by European power
history of independence
shared culture and history as a nation
industrially and militarily powerful
wanted to lead all of Asia and remove non-Asian influencew
wanted to be an Asian power in Asia, unlike the foreign powers in Asia
Rise of Militarism
needed a strong military for the special mission
came with industrialisation
military-type training was introduced into the education system
Education changed as a response to opposition to the emperor, emphasised loyalty and resulted in growth of radical nationalism
Militarism and Foreign Affairs
Korea
1876: Treaty of Amity
Korea no longer a tributary of China
Japan imposed its influence
Was between Japan and the mainland so was important in their desire to gain power and land
1884-1895: political turmoil in Korea
led to them asking China for help (as that felt normal due to history)
Japan accused them of violating treaty
Japan occupied Korea and assassinated the opposing leader
caused tensions with China
created tension with China, enabled growth of economy and military
China
First Sino Japanese War
1894-1895
Caused by Japanese intervention in Korea, and China banning Japanese trade
Events: Japan was successful due to modern military, war was fought in Korea and North East Coast of China
Japan invaded Manchuria, Port Arthur, Weihaiwei, islands around Taiwan
Pushed Chinese troops out of Korea
Consequences:Treaty of Shimonoseki
Japan given Taiwan, Liaodong Peninsula, Permission to use Yangtzee, right to factories and import goods at 4 Chinese ports
1895: Tripartite Intervention meant that Russia, Germany, and France redistributed the land to themselves but Japan kept hold of Taiwan, but this humiliates Japan
Japanese economy grows due to the stimulation of war (resistence had continued in Taiwan) and also still had some territory
sense of nationalism grows, confidence in military grows, tensions/desire for revenge against world powers grows
1895-1905: military members become part of government, new focus on military, Amur Society formed - promotes expansion on mainland
Political Instability
key in encouraging Japanese expansion
western powers were gaining Chinese concessions and Japan wanted to be apart of this
Japan wanted to expand onto mainland Asia
Wanted to prevent foreign control of Korea
Russia
1902: Anglo Japanese Alliance, both were worried about Russian expansion into China, hopes of encouraging a smaller war, made Japan more confident of victory if there was war
Russia had antagonised Japan by putting pressure on Manchuria and Korea, and was leased Port Arthur and Liaodong Peninsula by China
Japan suggests spheres of influence, but Russia ignores this and so Japan respond by expelling the Russian ambasador
1904-1905
Japan won easily, destroyed Russian fleets at Port Arthur and Battle of Tsushima Strait, won a huge battle at Mukden, Russian revolution in 1905 forced the government to seek peace
1905: treaty of Portsmouth
all troops leave Manchuria
Japan could lease the Liaodong Peninsula and Port Arthur
Japan could lease the Southern Manchuria railway (the one the russian's were building which was antagonising the Japanese)
Japan would get half of Sakhalin Island and their claim on korea was recognised
Japan was not entirely happy with the treaty as they wanted more
Japan did gain international respect and got control of Korea in exchange for the US having influence in the philippines.
Japanese military spending increased
First World War
Japa joined the war on the side of the Triple Entente due to the Anglo-Japanese alliance
1915: China and the 21 demands
gave Japan economic and political autonomy in China, especially in Manchuria
China had to accept as they did not have the power to resist but demands were reduced to 13
caused anti-japanese sentiment
Britain and US started to worry about Japanese growth and aggression
influence the events at the Paris Peace Conference
caused the naval restrictions
1919: Paris Peace Conference
Japan counted as a victorious nation
founding member of the LoN
Japanese request for clause against discrimination was denied
Japan was given Shantung Peninsula for a few years
established mandates for former colonies, so Japan received Germany's colonies but they couldn't annex them only administrate
Interwar
Foreign Policy
military goals
maintain strength and expand
protect Japan's territorial interests
add more territoy
government concerns
appeasing the military due to their presence in the cabinet
economic pressures that could result from enlarged military
not provoking the US, Britain, or other powers
Shidehara Diplomacy
enabled military expansion whilst reassuring foreign pwoers
lasted from 1924 - 1931.
civilian and military goals were not aligned
US
both were powerful in the Pacific
economically Japan needed the US and the US wanted access to the Chinese market
limiting military strength was important to both countries
Naval Conferences
Washington 1921-1922
Five power treaty
stop building battleships for 10 years
scrap some capital ships
5:5:3 ratio with US Britain and Japan
Four power treaty
agreed to respect each others territory
Nine power treaty
Japan agreed to remove its military from the Shantung Peninsula
Japanese military was not pleased by the outcomes
London
reviewed treaties made at Washington
Japan wanted a better ratio of capital ships, and it got increased slightly for battleships
military's threat of poltical crisi failed
ultranationalists not happy, and the Japanese prime minster was assassinated
Military Expansion
Navy was limited by treaties but the army wasnt
political pressure to increase the military after spending had been limited in the 1920s
military influence on politics so it increased in size
government used military spending to address the economic crisis during the Great Depression
Military might greatly increased
Economic and Political Issues
greatly influenced foreign policy during times of instability
experienced periods of growth and decline
monopolies expanded
economic instability caused political instability
Industrialisation
non-industrialised countries were unable to defend themselves (eg. China)
Japanese industrial growth was vast
went from a feudal country to a world power between late 1800 to end of WW1
Modern technology and economy allowed Japan to export goods throughout the Pacific
Zaibatsu
huge corporation owned by families which had influence in multiple industries
1918: 8 zaibatsu's controlled 20% of manufacturing, mining, and trade
government were too weak to stop them from gaining power
They increased in size as small companies failed during economic troubles
they turned ecnomic power into political power in the Diet which allowed them to shape economic policies
turned to the military as an ally, and became important in that aspect too
Social Stress and Unemployment
experienced booms of emplyment and then busts with massive unemployment
up in WW1
down just after WW1
up after the Tokyo fire and earthquake in 1923
down due to bank failures in 1927
down in great depression
unemployment causes social stress and unrest
Great Depression 1929
trade barriers heavily impacted Japan
1931: GNP fell by 20%
Tokyo stock market lost 50% of its value
exports decrease by over 40%
increases nationalism, and desire for expansion because there is a need to rely on themselves
Results in increased military spending
Economic hardship caused political unrest (strikes, riots, demands for new government)
1936: Japan had had little success in solving economic problems so the economic minister was assassinated
New minster appointed was from the military, so increased spending and military dominance of the government
Domestic Instability and Foreign Affairs
Economic crisis was causing political instability
the Meiji constitution was losing legitimacy
growing interest in Manchuria called for expansion
foreign policy and domestic policy were closely tied
Domestic Instability
governing system was complex and had flaws
military had direct access to the Emperor
cabinet was solely responsible to the Emperor
policies required unanimous approval by ministers
House of Representatives controlled taxes, budget, funding
House of Peers contained former ministers who often acted independently
Privy council had direct access to the emperor and could veto decisions
increasing number of parties added more demand
ultimate authority of the emperor became more important
Great depression increased the political troubles
Communism
held great appeal for many
1925: Peace Protection Law
allowed for the arrest and execution of anyone wanting to change the political system
anti-communist policy acted as opposition to the Soviet Union (security as the USSR bordered Manchuria and Korea)
Showa Restoration
conservative movementc
called form power to be given to the Showa Emperor and said that direct rule from the Emperor would eliminate problems of the government
idea appealed to rural farmers, had no prospect for a decent life so they joined the military
supported by young ultranationalist officers
Military Factions
Toseiha
wanted reform, ally with zaibatsu, surpress political parties, tightly control economy, prepare for total war with China
gained support from the government
they controlled the government
reorganised the economy
suppressed dissent
expanded military budget and war but avoided the USSR
many of the prime ministers between 1931-1941 were military
Radicals
wanted direct rule by the emperor, complete destruction of zaibatsu and political parties, destroy corrupt and incompetent governing system, eliminate communists and socialists, war with the USSR
1931-1936: Radical faction attempted many coup d'etats
many high ranking officials and zaibatsu were assassinated
Foreign Instability in China
Warlords
1918-1928: regional warlords dominated China, Zhang Zuolin was the strongest and controlled Manchuria and Inner Mongoia
China was not united
Manchuria
Zhang Zuolin brought stability and declared independence in 1922
Japanese governemnt supported him as he allowed them to develop their economic interests
Kwantung Army Officers (most were members of the radical party) saw his autonomy as a threat
assassinated him in 1928
seen as nationalist heroes and not punished
Southern China
GMD used nationalism to unite Southern China
GMD and CCP alliance, strong enough to defeat the warlords in the Northern Expedition in 1926
GMD turned against the CCP and started the Civil War
United China
Chiang Kai Shek became Director of State Council (ie. president)
economic and political reorganisation strengthened China
Bad for Japan as China was now united and they wanted to include Manchuria
Good because by attacking the CCP China lost USSR support
Foreign Policy Towards China
WW1 - 1927: Shidehara Diplomacy
international diplomacy and negotiation
reluctance to antagonise them
implementing treaties that allowed Japanese troops to protect Japanese interests in Manchuria and several port cities
1927: Change to Positive Policy
due to the success of Chiang Kai Shek
treated Manchuria as a special case
hope to prevent Chinese invasion of Manchuria (sent troops in preemptively)
believed the international community's wanted to weaken Japan and that they were incapable of understanding its special mission
Kwantung Army were stationed in the Liaodong Peninsula and Korea
more troops due to Chinese reunification
strengthened convictions towards manchuria were crucial to Japan's security
governemnt replaced the leadership as they were worried about insubordination but they were too late and the Mukden Incident had already occured
SUMMARY
economic issues
desire to present themselves as a great power, link to colonialism and industrialisation
political instability in China
Military Growth
Kwantung Army created a reason for Japanese takeover