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Chapter 24. Section 3: Japan Builds an Empire. U.S. forced Japan to open its market to foreigners in 1853 Pushed Japan to strengthen its military & modernize its economy to defend itself Developed a constitutional government.
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Chapter 24 Section 3: Japan Builds an Empire
U.S. forced Japan to open its market to foreigners in 1853 • Pushed Japan to strengthen its military & modernize its economy to defend itself • Developed a constitutional government
Japan expanded its sphere of influence in East Asia after wars with China & Russia • Took control of Korea & influence over Manchuria • By WWI, it developed into one of the strongest nations in the world
Growing Military Power • During WWI, Japan joined the Allies • Conquered several German possessions in the Pacific & access to markets abandoned by the Europeans (economy prospered)
Signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact that condemned war & pledged to peacefully settle disagreements
Democracy in Crisis • 1920’s- recession/ 1930’s depression • Depended on exporting goods • Decline led to layoffs, strikes, & political discontent • Blamed the multi-party system because it took too long dealing with economic problems
Some politicians enriched themselves by taking bribes from family owned companies
The Rise of Nationalism • Several radical groups formed in response to the government perceived weaknesses • Demanded a return to traditional ways, end multiparty rule, powerful business, & other western style institutions
Assassinated several politicians hoping the military would take over the government
The Manchurian Incident • Japan was experiencing a population boom, so in order to feed everyone they looked towards Manchuria for raw materials, coal, & iron ore • Sept 1931- Japanese army in Manchuria took matters into their own hands
Claimed that Chinese soldiers had tried to blow up railway lines, they captured several cities in southern Manchuria • Chinese troops withdrew from the area • Feb 1932- Japanese troops seized all of Manchuria
Japan announced that Manchuria was now the independent state of Manchukuo under their protection • Puppet state with P’U-I as head of state • US & GB protested that Japan broke the Kellogg-Briand Pact, but they did not stop the Japanese aggression
League of Nations ordered Japan to withdraw, Japan refused & withdrew from the League • 1932 Naval officers helped assassinate the Prime Minster • Ended the multiparty government
1936- uprising by junior officers resulted in the murder of high government officials • Uprising failed but gave military more power • Japan’s military leaders never seized control of the government, but had a lot of influence in foreign policy
War Against China • July 1937-resumed its invasion of China • End of July forces occupied Beijing & Tiajin • Chinese nationalist army led by Chiang Kai-Shek (Jiang Jieshi) resisted the invasions
Japan’s superior weapons over- came China’s manpower advantage • US & others condemned Japan’s actions • Congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts that prevented the US from becoming involved in foreign conflicts
Soviet Union backed China with arms, military advisors, & warplanes • GB sent supplies over the Burma Road • War brought two enemies together • Chiang Kai-Shek & Chinese Communists leader Mao Zedong • By 1939 war reached a stalemate
Looking Beyond China • 1940 Japan’s Prime Minister announced a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere extending from Manchuria to the Dutch East Indies • It also would liberate Asia from European colonies
Japan needed the natural resources to carry on the war against China • Sept.1940- Japan allied itself with Germany & Italy through the Tripartite Pact • April 1941- Japan signed a neutrality pact with the Soviet Union