By
1914, Japan had progressed a long way towards matching the modern European
states' power, following
centuries of feudalism. Because of Japan’s
military traditions, the military remained powerful and independent from
the government. The government could not demand but relied on the support
of the Japanese
army. Japan’s rapid industrialisation promoted
her military and imperialistic ambitions.
Japan did not have sufficient raw materials like oil to support high
industrial growth and looked to
expanding her territory to acquire more raw materials.
When the Bolsheviks overthrew the Russian Tsar’s regime in 1917,
Japan was positioned to pursue her ambitions for expanding into Manchuria.
The Russian Tsar’s opposition to Japanese occupation of Manchuria
in China had posed and obstacle until then. The breakout of WWI provided
an opportunity for Japan to use its military might to expand world dominance.
Japan emerged from WWI as a major power to be reckoned with. Through
the Peace Treaty of Versailles Japan was given a mandate to administer
the German Pacific Islands, and she managed to retain Mongolia.
The Washington Conference, 1921-22
In 1911 Japan and Britain renewed the Anglo-Japan alliance reconfirming
their agreement for mutual militarily and financial support in the
event of war. The Anglo-Japanese treaty made it possible for Japan
to boost
its navy size to that of Britain’s. The Anglo-Japanese alliance
was regarded by the USA as a serious boost to Japan’s naval
superiority in the pacific and hence a serious threat for the USA.
In 1921 the USA
initiated a conference aimed at ending the Anglo-Japanese Alliance
and succeeded in limiting Japan’s armament stocks. This angered
those who had vested interests in the arms industry i.e. the five
families
known as the Zaibatsu who
controlled the industries as the conference delegates agreed to stop
building new naval ships. Japan's militarist
grouping was unhappy with the influence of the Zaibatsu family on
government. The militarists believed that Japan should not have accepted
the conditions
of the Washington
Conference, which reduced Japan’s military prowess
more severely than it did Britain and the USA. For more information
on Zaibatsu, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaibatsu.
The Great Depression had a devastating effect on Japan’s export trade as consumer and foreign demand for Japanese products declined. Large numbers of households who produced silk as a secondary source of income were affected. Matters were worsened by the failure of the rice crop in 1932, a major export crop affecting thousands of incomes and jobs. The government was unable to solve the economic crisis.
The Militarists come to power
The Washington conference of 1921-22 decreased the size and power
of the Japanese army and led to anger and the rejection of the
government. This
political opposition was split amongst various factions including
ultra nationalists such as group called the “God-sent Troops” and
the military itself. On 11 March 1934, the military in Japan took
over the government. The military were disgruntled by Japan agreeing
to the
terms of the Washington conference. They believed that the government
had been too soft in giving in to the demands of the Western countries
and wanted to follow a more radical and aggressive approach.
Japan’s occupation of Manchuria
Japan became the first major power to challenge the authority of
the League of Nations. The world stood helpless as Japan invaded
China’s
Manchuria in 1931.
This followed rising hostilities between China and Japan over
Japan’s
treaty rights in the Chinese Province of Manchuria. Japan was fearful
that her economic interests were threatened by the hostile attitude of
the Manchurian authorities. On 18 September 1931, a bridge belonging
to the Japanese was blown up. Japan immediately blamed the Chinese soldiers
for carrying the act and used the incident to take control of Manchuria.
In so doing, Japan had violated the Peace Treaty of Versailles to respect
the independence of another state. The Chinese government appealed to
both the USA and the League of Nations for protection referring to Japan’s
signing of the One-Power Treaty of 1922, respecting the independence
of China and the “Briand-Kellog pact” which outlawed war.
The Council of the League sent a five-man inquiry, under the
chairmanship of British Earl of Lytton to report on the situation.
On 18 February
1932, Japan proclaimed Manchuria an independent state, renaming
it Manchukuo. Pu Yi was named head of the new state. The Lytton
Commission’s
found that the establishment of Manchukuo violated the wishes of the
people of Manchuria. The Commission condemned the military intervention
and found Japan the aggressor. The League approved the Lytton report
and advised its members not to recognise Manchukuo as an independent
state. Japan retaliated by withdrawing from the League. The Manchurian
incident proved a major test for the League. France and Britain were
faced with domestic and political problems and did not want to act without
USA support. The League of the Nations failed to act with authority in
the Manchurian incident as the support of the major powers was needed
for implementing its decision to assist Manchuria.
Attacked Railway Station in Manchuria
(Source:http://www.friends-partners.org/oldfriends/mes/books/fraser/siberi66.jpg)
Attacked Bridge in Manchuria by the Japanese
(Source:http://marmot.blogs.com/photos/chinamanchuria_pics/tumen_bridge.jpg)