fascist japan
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Fascist - Japan
What is fascist?? It means ‘repressive’ A group of people that is nationalistic, anti-
Communist and authoritarian
Beginning of Fascism Fascist Movement in 1919 Benito Mussolini
Mussolini’s argument Democracy was bad for Italy because
Ineffective Inefficient
E.g. Italy's democratically elected leaders were too weak to stop widespread unemployment and inflation
Threats from Communists
His argument for Fascism Nation first under Fascism Democracy was inefficient because it
limited the power of the nation and placed power in the people’s hand.
Nation should grow strong and expand
Impact of Mussolini’s argument Young men and WWI veterans were drawn
to Fascist ideas Glamourised action and violence Power and violence was the only way to get what
they want
Sense of belonging Spread to many parts of the world. E.g.
Japan
The failure of the democratic government in Japan
The Diet’s limited power Corruption Failed to solve economic problems
Farmers’ difficult living conditions Workers’ difficult working conditions Trade imbalance Great Depression 1929
The Diet’s structure (Parliament)Emperor
Prime Minister
A cabinet of ministers
Chosen by emperor
The Army and Navy minister
(veto power over
emperor)
Members of Diet (Members of Parliament)
2 chambers House of Peers
Imperial family, nobles Nominated by Emperor
House of Representative Elected by Japanese citizens Emperor reserved the right to dissolve the House
Problems with Diet Did not have the power to make decisions
or policies Only question the decisions of the Cabinet
Ministers
Lack democratic control the nation’s budget E.g. Japanese Army’s budget
Corruption damaged democracy’s reputation
Democractic leaders looked to zaibatsus to sponsor their election campaigns
Zaibatsus became very powerful Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Sumitomo and Yasuda
Close ties led to rumours
The Zaibatsu system
Zaibatsu
Provided for campaigns
Expected to be placed at the top
priority
The way of the samurai.
Relationship of the master and
servant
Democratic leaders failed to solve economic problems
Farmers’ difficult living conditions Workers’ difficult working conditions Trade imbalance Great Depression 1929
Trade imbalance Import > Export
The Great Depression or Wall Street Crash in 1929
Japan during the Great Depression or the Wall Street Crash
The crash in Wall Street lead to economic problems in Japan because people no longer wanted Japanese goods
E.g. Silk prices fell by 20% in 1932
Lesson : Do not depend on the west
What led to the rise of Fascism in Japan? (External Factors)
American expansion in the Asia Pacific region
Paris Peace Conference Washington Naval Conference London Disarmament Conference Immigration laws in the USA Resurgence of Chinese nationalism
American expansion in the Asia-Pacific region
Japan plans to control the region Commodore Matthew Perry opened Japan
to American trade E.g. Hawaii and the Philippines Japanese militarists believed that American
was trying to take control Asia-Pacific’s economy and military power
The 3 treaties What were the 3 treaties about?
3 treaties Paris Peace Conference 1919
Japan requested that LON recognise that all races were equal – REJECTED
Washington Naval Conference 1921 – 1922 Felt that it was unfair Attempt to restrict Japanese power
London Disarmament Conference 1930 Prime Minister Hamaguchi Osachi and his
foreign minister Shidehara Kijuro Wanted to reduce naval arms with Britain and
USA Wanted to improve ties with China The Army accused Hamaguchi and his foreign
minister of betraying Japan and being too ‘soft’ in handling the West and China
Immigration laws in USA in the mid 1920s USA tried to prevent Asian immigration
Isolation and protectionist policy All Asian immigrants (except Filipinos) Immigrants cannot be a USA citizens even
if Lived in USA for a long time Marry Caucasians
California Alien Law in 1913
Impact of USA’s immigration law Angered Japanese Sign as the Americans considered the
Japanese as inferior Many Japanese turned away from USA,
democracy Want to support an expansion of Japan’s
empire
Resurgence of Chinese nationalism 1894 – Japan took advantage of China’s
weakness Qing Dynasty Last Emperor
When Qing Dynasty fell, Chinese warlords took over in 1911
Kuomintang and Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
China’s civil war Kuomintang – Chiang Kai Shek CCP - Mao Zedong Chiang tried to unite China after the fall of
the Qing These struggles kept China weak
In 1927, KMT and CCP joined forces to fight the warlords and Chiang led the united army
He gained full control of China The Chinese demanded an
end to all ‘special concession’to Westerners
Strikes against Japanesegood
Impact of China’s civil war on Japan Japanese Army (Kwantung Army) realised that a
strong and united Chinese government would prevent Japan from expanding
Kwantung Army stationed in Manchuria proposed to occupy Manchuria before anti Japanese feelings became too strong
They urged Japanese to support military action
“USA’s treatment of Asia was the main
reason for the rise of Fascism in Japan.”
How far do you agree with the statement?