Fascist Japan: Reasons that led to the rise of military in Japan during the 1930s
For more information about what's Fascism, click here! :D
What led to the failure of the Democratic government in Japan, which hence led to rise of military in Japan?
The failure of the democratic system was one of the main reason why an authoritarian regime arose in Japan during the 1930s. Japan's democratic leaders were seen as weak, corrupt and inefficient, and they could not solve the economic problems. Fascism seemed to offer an alternative to the democratic system which was failing the people at the point of time.
The Diet's limited power
Japan set up a parliament or Diet in the late 19th century. However, real power remained in the hands of the Japan Emperor and the genro(Retired Japanese statesmen who served as informal advisers to Emperor).
The Diet's limited power
Japan set up a parliament or Diet in the late 19th century. However, real power remained in the hands of the Japan Emperor and the genro(Retired Japanese statesmen who served as informal advisers to Emperor).
The Diet did not have the power to make decisions and make its own policies. It could only question the decisions of the cabinet ministers.
They have no control over the ministers as they're under the direct control of the Emperor.
There was also a lack of democratic control of the nation's budget. For example, the senior Army officers would request for a large part of the nation's money to be used for Japanese Army, however the idea is bad and Diet opposes it, however nothing could be done to stop the request as the Diet held little power in the country, lots of important recommendations were unheard.
They have no control over the ministers as they're under the direct control of the Emperor.
There was also a lack of democratic control of the nation's budget. For example, the senior Army officers would request for a large part of the nation's money to be used for Japanese Army, however the idea is bad and Diet opposes it, however nothing could be done to stop the request as the Diet held little power in the country, lots of important recommendations were unheard.
Corruption damaged democracy's reputation
In the eyes of the Japanese, politicians are corrupted. There were many political parties formed, many participate in election campaigns and in other to finance more elaborate campaigns, many of the democratic leaders looked to the zaibatsus to sponsor them. Over the years, zaibatsus were able to make use of their close ties to make the government pass laws that would benefit them.
Close ties between the zaibatsus and democratic leaders led to rumors of corruption. Some were true, while others were lies made up by a rival political party. At Diet meetings, political parties accused one another of being corrupt, and fistfights often broke up. With all these acts, the Diet was unable to gain support of the ordinary Japanese.
Close ties between the zaibatsus and democratic leaders led to rumors of corruption. Some were true, while others were lies made up by a rival political party. At Diet meetings, political parties accused one another of being corrupt, and fistfights often broke up. With all these acts, the Diet was unable to gain support of the ordinary Japanese.
Democratic leaders failed to solve economic problems
1) Lost of support from farmers
The democratic leaders failed to solve the problems of the farmers. By 1920s, nearly of the farmers in Japan had less than one and a quarter acres of land. This is only about the size of a soccer field. These farmers could not make a profit as they could not grow more rice on their plots.
Worse still, the other half of the farms in Japan belonged to landlords who rented out their lands at very high prices to tenants. Between 1920-1929, rice prices fell and made life even more difficult for rice farmers. The earning of te rice farmers fell by more than 50%. Tenant unions reacted to high rents through violence.
The democratic leaders failed to solve the problems of the farmers. By 1920s, nearly of the farmers in Japan had less than one and a quarter acres of land. This is only about the size of a soccer field. These farmers could not make a profit as they could not grow more rice on their plots.
Worse still, the other half of the farms in Japan belonged to landlords who rented out their lands at very high prices to tenants. Between 1920-1929, rice prices fell and made life even more difficult for rice farmers. The earning of te rice farmers fell by more than 50%. Tenant unions reacted to high rents through violence.
2) Lost of support from workers
The workers were also unhappy with the government for not improving their working and living conditions. In 1921, 25'000 workers went on strike in Tokyo. Workers in Japan lived in crowded, unhygienic rooms provided by their companies They worked more than 10 hours a day. Some workers were even locked in their company compounds. They could only leave a few times each moth. The workers in Japan felt that the government did not care about them. Impatient with the government many workers joined unions some of which were supported by the communist.
3) Trade imbalance
Despite the many problems in Japan, Japan began to prosper. Much of the prosperity came from global trade. Cheap electronic goods were produced and sold all around the world. Japan's trade in the region grew. Textiles was the leading export, while China and porcelain produced according to Western designs, were another of Japan's leading exports.
However Japan needed many raw materials for its major industries and it did not have enough of them. Most of them had to be imported. Thus, Japan suffered from a trade imbalance. The trade imbalance grew when Japan had to import more food to feed its growing population.
4) Great depression 1929
When the Great Depression occurred in 1929, it led to a decrease in Japanese exports, as a result of protectionism. These countries increased taxes on foreign goods so that more people would buy goods from their home countries instead of foreign goods. For example..
High taxes on Japanese silk ---> High prices of Japanese silk ---> People in other countries could not afford to buy Japanese silk ---> More people bought silk from other sources ---> Japan economy badly affected
Japan was badly affected by protectionism. Silk, Japan's main export was the worst affected. As a result of taxes, demand for Japanese silk in the USA and other parts of the world fell. By 1932, the price of Japanese silk was less than one-fifth its price in 1932. This sudden decrease in prices quickly led to economic depression.
80% Fall in silk prices = Other business affected = Businessmen who owned silk factories went bankrupt = Japanese had less money to buy other goods = Fewer workers were needed in factories, and more Japanese became unemplyoed = Lower prices led to fewer goods being produced.
With all these factors adding up, the democratic government lost support and hence fell.
What led to the rise of Fascism in Japan?
***** External reasons *****
Worsening relations between Japan and the West from 1919 to 1939. There's were incidents like...
American expansion in the Asia-Pacific region threatened Japanese plans to control the region.
Ever since 1853, when Commodore Matthew Perry opened Japan to American trade, American businessmen had taken an increasing interest in doing business in the Asia-Pacific region. The United States took control of many tiny islands that were rich in guano, a natural fertilizer It also took control of other islands and used them as bases for American trading ships. By the 1930s, the area under American control had expanded to include islands such as Hawaii and the Philippines. Japanese militarists believed that Japanese and American economic and military interest would bring them into conflict over who would control the Asia-Pacific region.
Washington Naval Conference, 1921-1922.
The Washington Naval Conference aimed to reduce the naval forces of the major naval powers. Many Japanese felt that this was an unfair treaty. They felt that is was an attempt to restrict Japanese power. Tension grew between them as they felt being treated unfairly.
Immigration laws in the USA in the mid-1920s.
In 1924, the government in the USA tried to prevent Asian immigration as part of its isolationist and protectionist policy. The USA forbade the entry of all Asian immigrants (expect Filipinos), including Chinese, Japanese, Koreans and Indians Immigrants could not become citizens of the USA even if they had been there for a long time. Asians also could not marry Caucasians or own their own land. Some state enforced laws to segregate the Asians who were living in American. California for example, enforced the California Alien Law in 1913 ruling that all Asian children, including those born in America, had to attend separate schools. There was also a widespread fear that Asians would take jobs away.
Before the strict immigration laws were passed, many Japanese migrated overseas. Th new America immigration policies of 1924 angered the Japanese. They saw the policies as a sign that the Americans considered the Japanese to be inferior to Americans.
These events combined with the protectionist policies of the West during the Great Depression, caused many Japanese to turn away from Democracy and supported an expansion of Japan's empire.
Before the strict immigration laws were passed, many Japanese migrated overseas. Th new America immigration policies of 1924 angered the Japanese. They saw the policies as a sign that the Americans considered the Japanese to be inferior to Americans.
These events combined with the protectionist policies of the West during the Great Depression, caused many Japanese to turn away from Democracy and supported an expansion of Japan's empire.
Resurgence of Chinese nationalism.
Since 1894, Japan had benefited from China's weak and disunited government. Japan took advantage of China's weakness to gain special rights to trade in China and control Chinese territories. Dynastic decline and foreign concessions angered the ordinary Chinese greatly. In 1911, the Chinese overthrew the Qing dynasty that had ruled China since 1644.
With the fall of the Qing dynasty, Chinese warlords took over different parts of the country. A political party called the Kuomintang, led by General Chiang Kai Shek, tried to unite CHina. The KMT fought the warlords and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which wanted to bring about a Communist resolution in China. These struggles kept China weak.
The situation changed in 1927, when the KMT and CCP joined forces to form a united army to fight the warlords. General Chaing led the United army and gained full control of China. The Chinese demanded an end to all 'special concessions' to Westerners in China and Manchuria. Strikes, demonstrations and boycotts of Japanese goods hurt Japanese economic interest in China and Machuria. Kwantung Army officers realised that a strong and united Chinese government would prevent Japan from expanding further. The Kwantung Army stationed in Manchuria proposed that Japan occupy Manchuria and North China before anti-Japanese feelings become too strong. They urged the Japanese to support military actions. The military's call for action was supported by many Japanese.
With the fall of the Qing dynasty, Chinese warlords took over different parts of the country. A political party called the Kuomintang, led by General Chiang Kai Shek, tried to unite CHina. The KMT fought the warlords and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which wanted to bring about a Communist resolution in China. These struggles kept China weak.
The situation changed in 1927, when the KMT and CCP joined forces to form a united army to fight the warlords. General Chaing led the United army and gained full control of China. The Chinese demanded an end to all 'special concessions' to Westerners in China and Manchuria. Strikes, demonstrations and boycotts of Japanese goods hurt Japanese economic interest in China and Machuria. Kwantung Army officers realised that a strong and united Chinese government would prevent Japan from expanding further. The Kwantung Army stationed in Manchuria proposed that Japan occupy Manchuria and North China before anti-Japanese feelings become too strong. They urged the Japanese to support military actions. The military's call for action was supported by many Japanese.
***** Internal Reasons *****
The Showa Restoration
From the 1890s, the education system of Japan emphasized nationalism, loyalty to the Emperor, self-sacrifice and obedience. Japan's response to the effect of the Great Depression and foreign opposition to Japan's growing empire was the inauguration of the Showa Restoration which meant 'Bright Harmony'. This movement characterized Western values as being selfish, greedy and individualistic The Emperor was glorified and Japanese virtues such as self-sacrifice in service of nation were promoted. The slogan Sonno Joi or 'restore the Emperor and expel the barbarian' was often used. The movement produced youths who were blindly loyal to the Emperor and nation. They also believed in militarism and an aggressive foreign policy.
Army's and Navy's great influence over the government
The Japanese Army and Navy had considerable influence over political decisions. It also acted interdependently of the government From the late 19th century, Japan wanted to copy the West and acquire more colonies in China and Manchuria. Military success made the Army and Navy even more popular and helped them to gain even more influence over the government. Leaders who did not support the military's ambitions were often subject of assassinations attempts.
Take a look at the video for better understanding! :D
The Japanese Army and Navy had considerable influence over political decisions. It also acted interdependently of the government From the late 19th century, Japan wanted to copy the West and acquire more colonies in China and Manchuria. Military success made the Army and Navy even more popular and helped them to gain even more influence over the government. Leaders who did not support the military's ambitions were often subject of assassinations attempts.
Take a look at the video for better understanding! :D