The Interwar Era in JapanBy Aamir, Jan and Dan

Major Leaders of Japan

A major Japanese leader, during the interwar era was Emperor Hirohito.

He was next in line of the ruling family of Japan.

Hirohito:Background

Hirohito took over after his father and grandfather had died.

In 1921 he visited Europe and took an interest in marine biology before this. His visit with the British Royal family gave him a good impression of Europeans.

He took the name Enlightened Peace, however he led Japan into WWII.

Hirohito: Background(2)

He was very interested in science and other subjects.

His marriage was put off for 6 years however much he wanted it to take place

Almost killed by a radical person who threw a grenade

Hirohito became the direct 124th emperor of Japan

Rise to Power Part 1

He was part of the Imperial family first of all but didn’t actually become ruler until 1926

He rose to power but didn’t really control and do much by himself in the beginning

Relied more on his advisers rather than make any of the decisions by himself

Sent the Japanese army to attack and control the area of Manchuria

Rise to Power Part 2

He refused to leave the Imperial Palace even though the Allies were bombing it.

He first claimed he was a divine ruler, but then took it back after the Allies “democratized” Japan

Hirohito lived a modest life, and at first it was awkward for him to talk to his subjects

Finally he won their support and made several trips to the United States

Leadership Style He tended to rely on his advisers at first to

make the decisions for him But later he came into his own, and ruled

the country himself and felt he was a divine ruler at first

Led Japan through a trying and violent period and had to deal with the ultranationalist Hideki Tojo, who some claim was responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbor and was later hanged for war crimes

Death of Hirohito

He died in 1989 on January 7 after a long illness

Later in his life he married a commoner

Was buried with his Mickey Mouse watch and a microscope as he enjoyed marine biology and science in general

Legacy of Hirohito

Hirohito is recognized as a leader who at first was timid in making his own decisions and choices

He will be recognized as a powerful and unifying leader who saw Japan through very dark times, and helped pave the way for them to become a major economic and military power today

Postwar Status on the World 1920 Hirohito had a positive impact

on the interwar era of the 1920’s as he came into control in1926

His father helped first build up Japan and helped them grow and expand, both militarily and economically.

The 1923 earthquake rocked Japan and devastated the

country and needed help

Postwar Status on the Interwar world of the 1930s He had a positive impact on the

interwar era of the 1930’s as well Hirohito continued to improve

Japan and built up their economy and helped them to expand and grow

Formed an alliance with Germany to protect interests and “fight Communism”

Zaibatsu-Japanese financial Cliques who controlled major Parts of the Japanese economy helped them survive Great Depression

Sources

1. http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/bios/b3hirohito.htmb

2. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Zaibatsu

3. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/macarthur/peopleevents/pandeAMEX97.html

4. http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWhirohito.htm