Japanese Foreign Expansion

Recap

• Japanese Nationalism
• Modernization
• Militarism
• Power Politics & Foreign Policy
• Korea's Annexation

Intervention in China

• Three dynamics converging:
• 1.- Extreme Nationalism: "Japan is the Center of Asia"
• 2.- Political Instability in China: the twilight of an Empire
• 3.- Economic Interest

The Consequences of the Great Depression

• 1929- Wall Street crash/ Global Economical Crisis
• Protectionist policies in the US. Japan was deeply affected by it. Tariffs rose by 200%
• Japanese Textiles/ Commodities exports were too expensive to sell in the US

Kwantung Army

• Most prestigious corps within the Imperial Japanese Army
• Created after the Russo-Japanese War to occupy Manchuria
• Protected the eastern and last tracks of the famous railroad built by Nicholas II
• Grew increasingly powerful and extremely nationalists after 1920
• Pressured Tokyo

Political Crisis in China

• Koumitang Party (1920) Nationalists
• Communist Party (1921)
• No central or even real government. China was effectively ruled by warlords
• Manchuria (Manchuko) was at stake and Japanese interests were too.

In Sum,

• Manchuria became a central interest for Japan's interests
• Raw Materials
• New Markets
• Undermined Russian Presence
• Colony for Japanese Population

What lead to the occupation?

• Japanese civilian-government weaknesses
• Popular support for the Military
• A supposed attack from Chinese rebels against the South Manchurian Railway

Untitled Slide

Manchuria 1931

• Explosion at the S.M.R
• Evidence suggest that it was carried out by the K.A.
• An increasingly powerful army, acted autonomosly
• The Government could not control the army anymore

Manchuria 1931

• Explosion at the S.M.R
• Evidence suggest that it was carried out by the K.A.
• An increasingly powerful army, acted autonomosly
• The Government could not control the army anymore

Manchuria a Turning-point for Japan

• Japan was isolated from the International Community (IC)
• Militarism proved to be the guiding power in politics in Japan
• Japanese leadership sought for alike allies
• Japanese nationalism peaked
• A new state appeared: Manchuko

Effects

• Japan forced to leave the League of Nations
• Increased tensions with the USSR. Accelerated ties with Nazi Germany
• Manchuria was fully occupied by the Japanese Army in 1932
• Pu Yi (Last Chinese Emperor) became ruler of Manchuko. Puppet

Increasing Militarism

• The "Dark Valley of Military rule" 1932-1941
• Military rationale drove foreign policy decisions
• Purpose: make Japan an Empire in Asia, through military means.
• Two factions: 1) Koda-ha Imperial Faction 2) Tosei-Ha Control Faction

Military Factions

• Koda-Ha supported a Military Dictatorship to rule over Japan.
• Radical Nationalists, the Army was "spiritual representation of Japan"
• Tosei-Ha. A moderate faction yet it sought to yield more power to the military's influence in Government.
• Tosei-Ha faction eventually arose to power
• From 1937 all Prime Ministers were serving militars

The Principles of a Foreign Policy

• Eradicate Foreign Powers Presence in East Asia (UK/US/USSR)
• Further modernize the army to defense Japan's interest
• Maintain control of Manchuria
• Expand Japan further South

Marco Polo Bridge Incident

• Imperial Japanese Army's cassus belli
• A minor incident was intentionally escalated by the IJA
• Twelve days after the incident, Japan launched a full scale military attack.
• July 7th- July 19th 1937

Sino-Japanese War 1937

• A military machine eager to be employed
• Over 20,000 men were deployed to China
• Airstrikes in Beijing forced people out of cities to the countryside
• Japanese degree of violence and aggression was unparalleled
• Beijing was seized by the end of 1937
• Followed by Shangai

The Rape of Nanjing

• Nanjing was then the capital of China
• It entailed a symbolic significance
• The now unleashed brutal power of the IJA reached its peak here
• Barbarism, crime, violation. The end of Japanese civilization.

Consequences

• 40,000-300,000 casualties
• Many of them were civilians
• Over 20,000 women were sexually assaulted or mutilated
• The ultimate objectification of life and individuals