The Rise of Militarism in Japan During the 1930s
Japanese militarism reached the peak高峰 in 1932-45. This era
was called the "Dark Valley黑暗的深淵" in Japanese history. In its simplest
meaning, militarism means prestige and greatness of Japan at the
expense犧牲 of other countries, an aggressive foreign policy,
dominance主導 and overall political control by military officers, a huge
military budget, an intensiveåŠ å¼·çš„ armament programme as well as
militarist attitudes of the people as a whole. The rise of Japanese
militarism in the 1930s was due to many factors.
Firstly, the emergence of Shintoism神é“æ•™ in the late Tokugawa era
provided Japanese militarism with the ideological foundation. Japanese
people were the offspring後代 of Sun Goddess天照大神. Hence they were
racially superior to other nations. Since Sun Goddess was the direct
ancestor祖先 of the Japanese royal family, so the tenno天皇 was the centre
of loyalty. Anyone who could influence the emperor was thus able to
command the whole state.
Japan's insular島嶼性 position and its separation from the Asian
continent as well as the seclusion鎖國policy of over 200 years had
contributed to the uniquenessç¨ä¸€ç„¡äºŒ of Japan's national identity and
culture. In addition, foreign imperialist aggression and the
subsequent unequal treaties during the late Tokugawa and early Meiji
periods added to Japanese patriotism愛國主義 and taught the Japanese that
"mightåŠ›é‡ is right". The traditional high social status of military
personnel was further enhancedæ高.
Some reform items of Meiji Modernization also helped spread militarism
throughout the cou...
... middle of paper ...
...ccount for the rise
of militarism in Japan. The League of Nations just paid lip
services沒實際行動 to stop Mussolini's aggression to Corfu科åš, Fiume阜姆港 and
Somaliland索馬里è˜, which encouraged Japanese militarists to follow an
expansionist foreign policy.
The Shenyang Incident of 1931ä¹ä¸€å…«äº‹è®Š showed the initialåˆæ¥
disobedienceä¸æœå¾ž of military men. The Guandong Armyé—œæ±è» invaded
Manchuria without the consentåŒæ„ of the Tokyo central government. In
the "May 15 Incident五一五事件" of 1932 Premier Inukai犬養毅 was shot to death
by naval officers and army cadetsè»æ ¡å¸ç”Ÿ. Frequent political
assassinations暗殺 and use of various terrors made party politicians
submissive屈æœ. In 1940 the Imperial Rule Assistance Association大政翼贊會
started militarist rule formally in Japan.
Japan led a ruthless assault in the Pacific for fifteen years. This small island was able to spread imperialism and terror to neighboring countries through means of force and brutality. Japan even attempted to combat and overcome European and Western countries such as Russia and the United States. Even with an extreme militaristic government, Japan was unable to achieve the glory it was promised and hoped for. The Pacific War analyzes Japan’s part in the war and what the country could have done to prevent such a tragedy.
One reason Japan assaulted U.S.A. Navy was because the "New World Order.” “The ideals of Japan... are represented by the principle that the benevolent rule of the Emperor may be extended so as to embrace the whole world."(Doc. A) The beliefs Japanese grew up with were that the Emperor was sublime and his empire should be followed everywhere nerveless by everyone. They were trained to be dedicated; willing to do anything to please their superior. “An old order... (European and American)... is now crumbling.”(Doc. A) Great Britain,
The Korean War, also known as the forgotten war , was one of the most brutal and violent wars of the 20th century. Less than five million people died during this war. My grandfather, Herbert Victor Sapper, was drafted during the time of the Korean War, but, he wasn’t sent to Korea, he was sent to Japan. Since my grandfather passed away in 1995, I gathered all of my information about my grandfather from my grandmother, Lelia Bell Sapper. Here is their story.
Japan's actions from 1852 to 1945 were stimulated by an extensive aspiration to elude the providence of 19th-century China and also to overtake as a great power. When Japanese soldiers stormed into Manchuria in 1931, Japan commenced the first in the succession of
In the late 19th century, Japan and Germany each developed into powerful, imperial countries as a result of modernizing and transforming into a manufacturing based society. The manufacturing industry is most favorable for a society because it “promotes the general welfare, increases population, public revenue, and the power of the country.” (List, 9). The people who benefitted most from the rapid industrialization and modernization were the owners of capital at the top of the political hierarchy and the Industrial Middle Class. By turning away from the feudal, agricultural based society to a manufacturing based society Japan and Germany were enabled to efficiently “extend [their] influence to all parts of the world.” (List,9). One reason for Japan and Germany’s rapid industrialization was the active role played by their governments who promoted and guided change. Each country used their powerful military to be recognized as a dominant force in the markets which as a result encouraged industrialization, however, the initial motives for industrialization in japan and Germany differed due to the pre-existing conditions in each country.
Throughout History, there have been many different groups or events that are still widely known today. Groups of people such as the Indians or Vikings are popular groups which are referenced constantly in today’s society. However, none of these groups is more known or referenced than the Japanese Samurai. Originating in 646 AD, these Japanese warriors developed from a loose organization of farmers to the dominant social class in Feudal Japan. Along with their dominant military and political standing, the samurai brought with them a unique code or moral belief that became the core of Samurai culture. Because of this, the Samurai and their principles still affect modern day Japanese society with social customs today deriving directly and indirectly from the beliefs of the Samurai.
...feat of Japan in World War 2). With the changes of the nature of power, Japan by balancing out aggressive economic policies and a quiet military buildup, was able to build herself up to become a prominent player in the international sphere today. In closing, while Japan’s policies today in general have been skewered towards the arguments of the ‘Gentleman’, increasingly Japan has considered more realist concerns of security in the escalation of tensions of the East Asian geopolitical sphere. Chomin’s Discourse has nonetheless served as a prophetic blueprint for more than a century of Japan policy-making.
...the 1910s before their rapid industrialization slowly lowered the standards of upholding these Bushido idealizations. It was only until the time around World War II where the Japanese started to follow the same code of honors that the samurai followed previously. And by the last years of the war, everyone, men and women, over the age of thirteen was a part of a sort of National hgyGuard and were following the same rules as the rest of the military; which was in turn fighting under a modified code of the Bushido which dictated that they never surrender and leave behind the wounded. Thus this group mentality made it unthinkable and impractical for an individual Japanese citizen to disagree with any of the political leaders. So as long as the military oligarchy wanted the war to continue, which they did, the majority of the people would be willing to follow through.
The new Meiji Period was the starting point for Japan’s isolation from foreign countries. During the end of Edo period, Matthew C. Perry came to Japan and established the Nichi-Bei Washin Joyaku, the Japan-US Treaty of Amity and Friendship, allowing Japan to be fully open to the United States of America. Soon after, foreign officials from other countries came to Japan to make similar friendship treaties, changing Japan to be one of the global nations. From the treaty, Foreigners started to build homes and live in one of the ports opened to them, creating cultural influence on the people who had never seen foreigners. Through the opening of Japan during the Meiji Period, Westerners were able to enter and create a positive influence on Japan.
When 1937 arrived, Japanese soldiers raided China’s capital of Nanking and began mass murdering citizens. The sole leader of the Japanese Imperial Army was non-existent. There were many people in power, such as generals, who allowed these behaviors to occur. Baron Koki Hirota, foreign minister at the time, proceeded to do nothing while being well aware of the Japanese’s persecution of the Chinese. These unsympathetic murders of those who were thought to be Chinese soldiers as well as women, children and the elderly.
One of, if not the most influential part, of allowing the bombs to drop is because of the mentality of the Japanese military and the pull they had in politics. As Maddox stated, “[t]he army, not the Foreign Office controlled the situation” (Maddox, pg. 286). Although Japan had an influential leader in regards to their emperor, the military wanted to and would have engag...
The early modernization and industrialization of Japan through the Meiji period in the 1860s allowed rapid development of a prosperous Japanese society. The samurai tradition was widely respected and a natural development was the growth in power of the military. By 1894 Japan’s fear of Western influences and its desire to be recognized as a world power led to the Sino-Japanese War in which Japan invaded China. Victories there gave Japan new confidence and in 1904 and 1905, the government engaged in the Russo-Japanese War giving Japan new strength in mainland Asian positions. The twentieth century was a century of tremendous worldwide social, economic, and political change. The development of media technology impacted nations, reducing the differences between cultures. Japan, by then, one of the leading industrial states of the 21st century, was highly influential in Eastern Asia and throughout the world. The infamous bombing of Pearl Harbour in December, 1941 revealed a Japan feeling empowered enough to attack the United States of America.
The Fifteen-Year War was a time of great turmoil and uncertainty in Japan. Various facets of the country were tested and driven to their limits. During the occupation, race and gender began to evolve in ways that had not exactly be seen before. War had a tremendous impact on every part of the life of a Japanese citizen. Both men and women began to fill roles that were completely novel to them. Race became a part of the definition of who people were. As the war progressed and American troops landed on Japanese soil for occupation, more drastic changes occurred. Economic hardship and rations befell the people of the Land of the Rising Sun. Prostitution began to rear its ugly head and rape transpired. Through memory, research, and vivid creativity, the evolution of Japan during the Fifteen-Year War can be analyzed with great scrutiny.
...high power status, Japan had to have a self-reliant industrial common ground and be able to move all human and material resources (S,195). Through the Shogun Revolution of 1868, the abolition of Feudalism in 1871, the activation of the national army in 1873, and the assembly of parliament in 1889, the political system of Japan became westernized (Q,3). Local Labor and commercial assistance from the United States and Europe allowed Japan’s industry to bloom into a developed, modern, industrial nation (Q,3). As a consequence production surplus, and food shortage followed (Q,3). Because of how much it relied on aid of western powers, Japan’s strategic position became especially weak. In an attempt to break off slightly from the aid of the west Japanese leaders believed that it would be essential for Japan to expand beyond its borders to obtain necessary raw materials.
Our preliminary class gave a brief, yet detailed outline of major events affecting the East Asian region. Within that class, prompted by our limited geographical knowledge of Asia, we were given a fundamental explanation of the geographical locations of the various events taking place in the region. In subsequent classes, we were introduced to the major wars, political shifts, and economic interests which shaped Japan, China and Korea to what they are today. We examined the paradigm of pre-modern Japanese governance, the Shogunate, and the trained warriors which defended lord and land, Samurai. In addition, we examined the socio-economic classes of Medieval Japan, which included the Samurai, peasants, craftsmen, and the merchants. We also examined pre-1945 Japan’s policies toward foreign entities, notably the Sakoku Policy, which sought to expunge all foreign presence and commerce in an effort to protect its borders and culture. 1945, however, saw ...