IB HISTORY
THE MOVE TO GLOBAL WAR
CHAPTER 1: CAUSES OF EXPANSION
1. Japanese nationalism and militarism
Japan underwent major modernization in the late 19 th century to become an ultranationalist state and
protect Japan from foreign domination. → stress on Japanese society which turned to the military to
control the government in the 1930s
The Meiji (1867-1912) Constitution
Area of tremendous reform in japan = abolishment of feudalism and first constitution
Constitution: first parliament, Emperor head of the state, tremendous independence for military.
→ All laws and decisions made by the government had to be agreed to by all ministers. The military could
therefore veto any governmental decision!
The Diet = Parliament
Two divisions: appointed House of Peers (approve laws) and an elected House of Representatives (create laws)
(suffrage = all men over 25)
→ approved laws would then be passed on to the cabinet of ministers for consideration
→ Emperor and privy Council for consideration
Education and loyalty to the state
All citizens had to attend school → increased literacy of the country, which also led to growing awareness
and also opposition to the government’s actions.
Therefore, the national curriculum was changed to emphasize loyalty to the state = development of
ultranationalism. → military and education also closely linked together
The rise of radical nationalism
A special mission
Japan was unique due to: its emperor, not being conquered, ancient independent history, military and
industrial power…
→ Japan was to lead the rest of Asia, remove all non-Asian dominance = racism towards non-Japanese
Growth of militarism
The military was a political force in Japan and had to protect Japan. It also became increasingly popular in
the late 1920s during the economic crisis, as many believed that expansionism would bring economic
relief.
2. Militarism and foreign policy
The pre-modern government of Japan had been a military dictatorship and the industrialization had
strengthened Japan and the military to expand its territory.
Militarism before WWI
Korea 1876-1905
Economic and political interests in Korea. There had been attacks on both sides before 1876, when Japan
had enough Western military technology to force Korea to sign the Japan-Korea Treaty:
→ Korea was no longer a tributary to china, Japan was allowed to use three Korean ports etc.…
In 1884, after two failed coup d’états on both sides and the intervention of China and Britain, Korea
asked China for assistance, which made Japan declare that Korea had violated their treaty.
→ Occupied capital city, installed government and assassinated leader
→ First Sino-Japanese War (1894-95)
, A long series of events and finally Japan’s takeover of Korea caused the Chinese to declare war on Japan.
→ Japan advanced fast due to its modern military and began the invasion of Manchuria. China suffered
defeat after defeat and requested Japan’s terms of peace:
→ access to Chinese ports, indemnity, Korea’s independence of China and territory.
Tripartite Intervention: Russia, Germany and France wanted the treaty to be altered to their desires and
Japan was forced to submit the changes. (Port Arthur to Russia)
→ proved that Japan needed more development to protect itself from European powers and started
seeking allies:
RUSSIA
Anglo-Japanese Alliance 1902
Britain being concerned with Russian expansion in Asia signed the Anglo-Japanese Alliance:
→ military aid if either was at war with two or more countries
= Japan was safe and determined to provoke a war against Russia and win
Russo-Japanese War (1904-05)
Tension over territory and R pressuring Korea.
During the Boxer Rebellion: Russian troops stationed in Manchuria which weren’t withdrawn later as
promised. → B and J threatened
Following a series of unsuccessful diplomatic meetings between J and R, Japan attacked Russia in China,
whose government apparently desired war due to a crippling political crisis. Japan advanced quickly and
Russia suffered defeat after defeat… After a revolution against the Russian government Russia sued for
peace:
Treaty of Portsmouth (1905) (negotiated by the USA)
Removal of troops from Manchuria which was given back to China. Russia lost territory and railway in
China and Japan was allowed to lease it from China
→ international respect and authority, legitimized control over Japan, treaty’s benefits
BUT: Japan was still unhappy and believed that it should’ve received more
The First World War = opportunity to demonstrate strength
Shantung Peninsula 1914
Anglo-Japanese Alliance = Japan entered war on side of the allies.
In November 1914 the Shantung Peninsula with a fortified harbour, occupied by the Germans,
surrendered. Additionally, Japan took control over some German colonies.
China 1915
While European Powers were occupied, Japan presented the Twenty-One Demands to China:
→ Japanese control over Shantung and Manchuria, extension of Japan’s lease and additionally
prohibiting China to lease to other countries, allowing Japanese to settle/build infrastructure
China capitulated after some time, to eliminate Japan’s threat of war.
Britain and USA were concerned about Japan’s aggression and control over China → aiming to limit
Japan’s control at the Peace Conference.
Paris Peace Conference 1919
Japan only cared about its own interests but it was a founding member of the LoN.
o International powers demanded a clause against racial discrimination which was not included.
o Japan was allowed to keep Shantung and was granted supervision of some mandates
→ Japan was now a clearly important military power: Korea had been annexed, Russia and China
(Germany) had been defeated, in control of important harbours, member of LoN.
Interwar treaties
USA and Japan both worked diplomatically to limit each other’s military strength. Both were interested in
security for their territories and in access to each other’s markets. Meanwhile, the Japanese government
tried not to provoke the USA to prevent a devastating economic response.
Japan’s interwar foreign policy
The military wanted to maintain its strength and expand in size. Japan’s territory should be protected and
even enlarged as this would help Japan’s economy. Cautious: because of fear of provoking USA
THE MOVE TO GLOBAL WAR
CHAPTER 1: CAUSES OF EXPANSION
1. Japanese nationalism and militarism
Japan underwent major modernization in the late 19 th century to become an ultranationalist state and
protect Japan from foreign domination. → stress on Japanese society which turned to the military to
control the government in the 1930s
The Meiji (1867-1912) Constitution
Area of tremendous reform in japan = abolishment of feudalism and first constitution
Constitution: first parliament, Emperor head of the state, tremendous independence for military.
→ All laws and decisions made by the government had to be agreed to by all ministers. The military could
therefore veto any governmental decision!
The Diet = Parliament
Two divisions: appointed House of Peers (approve laws) and an elected House of Representatives (create laws)
(suffrage = all men over 25)
→ approved laws would then be passed on to the cabinet of ministers for consideration
→ Emperor and privy Council for consideration
Education and loyalty to the state
All citizens had to attend school → increased literacy of the country, which also led to growing awareness
and also opposition to the government’s actions.
Therefore, the national curriculum was changed to emphasize loyalty to the state = development of
ultranationalism. → military and education also closely linked together
The rise of radical nationalism
A special mission
Japan was unique due to: its emperor, not being conquered, ancient independent history, military and
industrial power…
→ Japan was to lead the rest of Asia, remove all non-Asian dominance = racism towards non-Japanese
Growth of militarism
The military was a political force in Japan and had to protect Japan. It also became increasingly popular in
the late 1920s during the economic crisis, as many believed that expansionism would bring economic
relief.
2. Militarism and foreign policy
The pre-modern government of Japan had been a military dictatorship and the industrialization had
strengthened Japan and the military to expand its territory.
Militarism before WWI
Korea 1876-1905
Economic and political interests in Korea. There had been attacks on both sides before 1876, when Japan
had enough Western military technology to force Korea to sign the Japan-Korea Treaty:
→ Korea was no longer a tributary to china, Japan was allowed to use three Korean ports etc.…
In 1884, after two failed coup d’états on both sides and the intervention of China and Britain, Korea
asked China for assistance, which made Japan declare that Korea had violated their treaty.
→ Occupied capital city, installed government and assassinated leader
→ First Sino-Japanese War (1894-95)
, A long series of events and finally Japan’s takeover of Korea caused the Chinese to declare war on Japan.
→ Japan advanced fast due to its modern military and began the invasion of Manchuria. China suffered
defeat after defeat and requested Japan’s terms of peace:
→ access to Chinese ports, indemnity, Korea’s independence of China and territory.
Tripartite Intervention: Russia, Germany and France wanted the treaty to be altered to their desires and
Japan was forced to submit the changes. (Port Arthur to Russia)
→ proved that Japan needed more development to protect itself from European powers and started
seeking allies:
RUSSIA
Anglo-Japanese Alliance 1902
Britain being concerned with Russian expansion in Asia signed the Anglo-Japanese Alliance:
→ military aid if either was at war with two or more countries
= Japan was safe and determined to provoke a war against Russia and win
Russo-Japanese War (1904-05)
Tension over territory and R pressuring Korea.
During the Boxer Rebellion: Russian troops stationed in Manchuria which weren’t withdrawn later as
promised. → B and J threatened
Following a series of unsuccessful diplomatic meetings between J and R, Japan attacked Russia in China,
whose government apparently desired war due to a crippling political crisis. Japan advanced quickly and
Russia suffered defeat after defeat… After a revolution against the Russian government Russia sued for
peace:
Treaty of Portsmouth (1905) (negotiated by the USA)
Removal of troops from Manchuria which was given back to China. Russia lost territory and railway in
China and Japan was allowed to lease it from China
→ international respect and authority, legitimized control over Japan, treaty’s benefits
BUT: Japan was still unhappy and believed that it should’ve received more
The First World War = opportunity to demonstrate strength
Shantung Peninsula 1914
Anglo-Japanese Alliance = Japan entered war on side of the allies.
In November 1914 the Shantung Peninsula with a fortified harbour, occupied by the Germans,
surrendered. Additionally, Japan took control over some German colonies.
China 1915
While European Powers were occupied, Japan presented the Twenty-One Demands to China:
→ Japanese control over Shantung and Manchuria, extension of Japan’s lease and additionally
prohibiting China to lease to other countries, allowing Japanese to settle/build infrastructure
China capitulated after some time, to eliminate Japan’s threat of war.
Britain and USA were concerned about Japan’s aggression and control over China → aiming to limit
Japan’s control at the Peace Conference.
Paris Peace Conference 1919
Japan only cared about its own interests but it was a founding member of the LoN.
o International powers demanded a clause against racial discrimination which was not included.
o Japan was allowed to keep Shantung and was granted supervision of some mandates
→ Japan was now a clearly important military power: Korea had been annexed, Russia and China
(Germany) had been defeated, in control of important harbours, member of LoN.
Interwar treaties
USA and Japan both worked diplomatically to limit each other’s military strength. Both were interested in
security for their territories and in access to each other’s markets. Meanwhile, the Japanese government
tried not to provoke the USA to prevent a devastating economic response.
Japan’s interwar foreign policy
The military wanted to maintain its strength and expand in size. Japan’s territory should be protected and
even enlarged as this would help Japan’s economy. Cautious: because of fear of provoking USA
