Rise of Ultranationalism in Japan - Pacific War #0.3 DOCUMENTARY

Summary

This video script delves into Japan's transformation into a modernized regional power by the early 20th century, highlighting its military successes and territorial expansions. It discusses the political and social changes during the Taishō and early Shōwa eras, including Japan's role in WWI, economic boom, and the rise of militarism and ultranationalism. The script also covers Japan's aggressive policies in China and Manchuria, leading to the establishment of puppet states and setting the stage for the Pacific War.

Takeaways

• 🌟 By the early 20th century, Japan transformed into a modernized regional power, defeating the Chinese and Russian Empires and expanding its influence across East Asia.
• 👑 The death of Emperor Meiji marked the end of an era, leading to new challenges and opportunities for Japan's continued expansion and development.
• 🏰 Japan's involvement in World War I allowed it to seize German colonies in the Pacific and solidify its position in China, despite facing international condemnation.
• 🔥 Post-war, Japan experienced rapid industrial growth but also faced economic challenges like inflation and social unrest, including the rice riots.
• 🌐 The Japanese Empire's efforts to increase its influence in Siberia after the Russian Empire's fall were costly and ultimately unsuccessful.
• 🛳️ Japan emerged from World War I as a naval powerhouse, gaining a permanent seat on the League of Nations and expanding its territories.
• 🏛️ The Taishō Democracy period saw a brief experiment with a two-party system in Japan, but it was marred by political strife and economic challenges.
• 💸 The Great Kantō earthquake of 1923 and the subsequent Great Depression had severe economic impacts, leading to significant policy responses from the Japanese government.
• 🔄 The rise of ultranationalism and Japanese fascism in the countryside was fueled by economic hardship and a desire for strong, centralized leadership.
• ⚔️ The Japanese military, particularly the Kwantung Army, pursued an aggressive expansionist policy in mainland Asia, leading to the invasion of Manchuria and the establishment of the puppet state of Manchukuo.

Q & A

What significant transformation did Japan undergo by the start of the 20th century?

By the start of the 20th century, Japan had transformed from a pre-industrialized isolationist state into a modernized regional power, defeating both the Chinese and Russian Empires, annexing Korea and Taiwan, and expanding its sphere of influence across East Asia.

What were the consequences of Emperor Meiji's death for Japan's political landscape?

The death of Emperor Meiji sparked a political crisis in the Japanese Empire due to the Meiji Constitution's design that gave the military dominance over the civilian government. This led to public outrage and demands against the oligarchic system of the Japanese Empire.

How did Japan's involvement in World War I contribute to its expansion?

As a result of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty, Japan entered World War I on the side of the Entente. It seized the opportunity to expand its sphere of influence in China and the Pacific, where it took control of German colonial possessions such as the Mariana, Caroline, Palau, and Marshall Islands.

What was the economic impact of World War I on Japan?

The wartime boom helped Japan diversify its industry, increase exports, and transform from a debtor to a creditor nation for the first time. However, it also led to rapid inflation and the outbreak of rice riots throughout Japan.

What were the Twenty-One Demands and how did they affect Japan's international relations?

The Twenty-One Demands presented to Chinese President Yuan Shikai in 1915 essentially aimed to transform China into a Japanese protectorate. This move earned Japan international condemnations from its allies, particularly the United States, and Japan eventually withdrew the demands.

How did Japan's intervention in Siberia influence its foreign policy?

The intervention in Siberia after the fall of the Russian Empire aimed to increase Japan's influence in the region. Japan landed almost 70,000 men under General Otani Kikuzo, but the intervention failed, costing the Empire a lot of money and leaving it weakened.

What was the significance of the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 for Japan?

The Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 established an international capital ship ratio, limited the size and armaments of capital ships, and forced Japan to return the leased territories in Shandong, reflecting a more neutral attitude towards China.

How did the Great Kantō earthquake of 1923 affect Japan?

The Great Kantō earthquake of 1923 devastated the capital, causing significant damage and contributing to social unrest. It was one of the factors that led to the government enacting the Peace Preservation Law of 1925, which criminalized socialism, communism, republicanism, and democracy.

What was the role of the Kwantung Army in the Japanese expansion into Manchuria?

The Kwantung Army, established in 1919, became a stronghold for the ultranationalist Kōdōha faction advocating for aggressive expansionist policies in mainland Asia. They orchestrated the Mukden Incident in 1931, which sparked the full-blown Japanese Invasion of Manchuria and the establishment of the Manchukuo puppet state.

How did the February 26 Incident of 1936 influence Japan's political direction?

The February 26 Incident was an attempted coup d’état by Kōdōha followers, which resulted in the death of several government members. Emperor Hirohito opposed the coup, and it was crushed after two days. This led to the purging of the Kōdōha, the abandonment of the London Naval Treaty, and a rise of tensions with China that would inevitably lead to war.