Ch 24. 3: Japan Builds an Empire Day 1
Objective:
SWBAT compare Japanese and German policies and military involvements during 1920s-1930s by answering comprehension questions based on textbook reading.
Read p.813-816, then answer the following in your groups:
Why was Japanese democracy in crisis during the 1920s-1930s? How was this similar to what was happening in Germany during the same time period?
What was the Manchurian incident?
Why was the Manchurian Incident a turning point for Japan’s civilian government?
What was the “Rape of Nanjing”? How was it similar/ different from the London blitz?
Why was Japan unable to win the war in China?
According to Japan, what was the purpose of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere?
What was Japan’s real goal in Asia and how was it similar to Hitler’s European goals?
What do Japan’s actions indicate about the way economic problems affect foreign policy?
1. Copy objective.
2. Answer: What does the chart tell you about WWII in Asia?
1. Why was Japanese democracy in crisis during the 1920s-1930s?
How was this similar to what was happening in Germany during the same time period?
Economic Troubles:
Worldwide depression causes layoffs, strikes
Blame placed on government
Weak government structure:
Parliament w/monarchy (emperor)
Military answers to emperor; parliament has little power
Nationalism
Call for a return to traditional ways (anti-West)
Samurai tradition: Code of Bushido, service to Emperor
Similarities with Germany: militarism, growth of nationalism, economic troubles
2. What was the Manchurian Incident?
Manchuria has:
New markets
Raw Materials: iron ore, coal
Land: living space for growing Japanese population
The Manchurian Incident – September 1931:
Japanese soldiers accuse Chinese of blowing up a railway line
Japanese military capture Southern cities
Reactions:
Japanese government = stop invasion
Japanese military = continue invasion, by February control all of Manchuria = Japan breaks the
Kellogg-Briand Pact
Results:

Independent state of Manchukuo, under Japanese protection = puppet state
Send farmers, investors, etc. to colonize Manchuria
International Reactions:
US and GB protest but do not ACT (What does this resemble?)
League of Nations = orders Japan to leave Manchuria – Japan refuses and leaves the League of
Nations
3. Why was the Manchurian Incident a turning point for Japan’s civilian government?
Civilian government lost power
Assassinations of political leaders followed
Politicians fear the military; afraid to criticize it
4. What was the “Rape of Nanjing”? How was it similar/ different from the London blitz?
July 1937 : Sino-Japanese War:
Japan invades China via Beijing
Advantages: superior military power/ equipment, “no rules” warfare
Rape of Nanjing:
Approx. 200,000 Chinese brutalized/ killed
Red Cross “Safe” Zone: set up by Westerners not a completely safe zone
Why?
Samurai tradition:
Code of Bushido – surrender = shameful
Rape of Nanking
5. Why was Japan unable to win the war in China?
International Reactions:
Soviet Union – sends weapons, planes to China
Great Britain – supplies to China via the Burma Road
China:
1.
Competing leaders unite to fight Japan
General Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai Shek) nationalist + Mao Zedong communist
2.
Use guerrilla warfare
1940: Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
6. According to Japan, what was the purpose of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere?
Protection of Asia from European influence and liberation of colonies
7. What were Japan’s real goals in Asia and how was it similar to Hitler’s European goals?
Resources: oil, rubber
Expansion

1940: Tripartite Act:
*Japan allies with Germany
& Italy
1941: Neutrality Pact with
USSR
8. What do Japan’s actions indicate about the way economic problems affect foreign policy?
Economics: need for more land and new markets (China), need for raw materials (oil, rubber, coal, iron, etc.)
Policy: expansion, war against competitors
DQ: How do economics affect foreign policy today?
Closing:
Write down 3 most important events/ facts you learned today about Japan/ Asia and WWII.
Explain why they were important.
Homework:
Complete online discussion assignment. (Due 3/4)