INTERWAR YEAR IN JAPAN

INTERWAR YEAR IN JAPANBy: Rashi Choudhary

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Before the year 1853, Japan was a very isolated country that closed its doors to foreign influence. As a result, it did not experience the modernization of Western countries that occurred during the Industrial Revolution. However, Japan opened its doors to the world in the Meiji Period from 1868 to 1912 and industrialized itself rapidly, establishing itself as a great world power by World War I.During World War I, Japan had an alliance with the British Empire, and as a result, Japan was given control of many of the Pacific islands that Germany had given up due to its defeat after the war.

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Japan wanted to economically compete with the European and American powers that had already established colonies in Eastern Asia.Japan needed resources to fuel their booming economy and support their growing population, which had already hit 70 million by the 1930s.The need for resources was greater stressed during the Great Depression, when many countries reduced international trade to protect their own economic interests. Japan realized that it needed to expand its empire by claiming new territories to secure the resources needed to meet their national interests.

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Japan started carving up Manchuria. Manchuria was rich in iron and coal. As I mentioned before Japan needed raw materials. In 1931, finally, Japanese army seized Manchuria. Japanese attack on Manchuria was the first direct challenge towards the League of Nations. Members of the League of nations protested against Japan, when Japan captured Manchuria. They also criticized what Japanese did. However Japanese weren't listening. They ignored these protests and withdrew from the League of Nations in 1933 at last.4

Sino-Japanese War: (1894) Because Japan was in great need for resources for their industrialization; the most convenient place for them to get it was Korea. Korea was had a good supply of coal and iron making it Japans target; but during this time, China wanted control of Korea too. Tension broke out between Japan and China caused the Sino-Japanese war to break out in Korea. It was expected for China to win due to its strong navy. Many did not know that through industrialization, Japan had built itself up as a great military power too. After winning, Japan had a better chance of invading Manchuria without the dilemma of Chinese resistance. Japan was recognized as a rising world power through that war.

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When china protested to the league of nations the league condemned the invasion but took no action further7

Russo-Japanese War: (1904-1905) Not only China, but Russia was very interested in control of Korea and Manchuria. Japan who was very defensive of Manchuria at the time declared war against Russia. Attacking at Port Arthur, Japan had many quick victories over Russia who was very confident in winning. The grave lost of Russia was the cause of the Russia Revolution in 1905. Defeating a European power, Japan was now really a world power.

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Japan did not have a single strong leader. Instead small groups of military leaders dominated the government in 1930s9

Spencer. Japan. N.p., 1 Mar. 2012. Web. 1 Mar. 2014. .N.p., 29 Sept. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2014. .The Treaty of Versaille. N.p., 19 Jan. 2014. Web. 4 Mar. 2014. .Jennifer, and Erica. "Broken World." N.p., 21 Feb. 2013. Web. 4 Mar. 2014. .Nielson, Scott. "The Interwar Years." N.p., 13 Jan. 2011. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. .N.p., Mar. 2009. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. .