Prescribed Subject 3: Move to Global War — PS3.1 Japanese Expansion
Nationalism & Militarism in Japan
Early 20th-century Japan was marked by a surge of nationalism and a belief in its destiny to lead Asia. The military enjoyed significant prestige and political influence, advocating for a strong, expansionist foreign policy. National myths around the Emperor and "kokutai" (national polity) reinforced national unity and militarism, driving public support for territorial expansion.
Key Point: The military viewed expansion as vital for Japan’s survival, prosperity, and security in a world dominated by Western powers.
Japanese Domestic Issues (1910s–1930s)
- Economic Problems: Population growth, resource shortages, and the Great Depression led to unemployment, rural poverty, and a search for overseas markets.
- Political Instability: Weak party politics, corruption scandals, and Army intervention in government weakened civilian control.
- Assassinations & Coups: Military factions used violence to pressure the government, escalating militarist dominance by the 1930s.
Domestic instability and economic crisis fueled public and elite support for military solutions and overseas expansion.
Expansion into Manchuria (1931)
Why Manchuria? Rich in resources (coal, iron, farmland), Manchuria was seen as vital for Japan’s economic needs and security buffer. Following the Mukden Incident (1931), the Japanese Kwantung Army seized Manchuria, defying orders from Tokyo.
- Result: Establishment of the puppet state Manchukuo (1932), with Emperor Puyi as figurehead.
- Significance: Showed growing military autonomy, challenged international agreements (e.g., the Washington Naval Treaty), and set a precedent for further aggression.
The League of Nations condemned the invasion, but Japan withdrew from the League in 1933, facing minor consequences.
Pearl Harbor (1941)
The attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941) was a preemptive strike on the US Pacific Fleet, aiming to secure Japanese expansion in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The United States responded by declaring war, marking the beginning of the Pacific War.
Impact: United States’ entry into WWII, rapid escalation of conflict in Asia, and eventual Allied victory over Japan.
League of Nations & International Response
- League of Nations: Conducted the Lytton Commission investigation on Manchuria, condemning Japan’s actions but offering little practical resistance.
- Western States: US, Britain, and others largely focused on their own economic woes (Great Depression), practicing appeasement and imposing limited sanctions.
- Consequences: Failure to deter Japan highlighted the League’s weakness and encouraged further aggression by Axis powers.
Summary: Japan’s expansion in Asia was enabled by internal militarism, economic pressures, and weak international resistance—laying the groundwork for a “move to global war.”