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?