We took more WWII notes today.
Japan
Dictatorship also came to Japan
-not through a political party but the military
History
-rich military tradition
-feudal clans fought each other for dominance in Japan
-The Emperor presided over the Japanese government- no one heard him talk, went on radio and surrendered.
-came form divine origin
-descendent of the Sun Goddess
-played minor role in the government
-he was above politics
-shogun had the political power
-ruled in the name of the Emperor
Japanese society
1. Landowning clans dominated- protected by the samurai
2. Wealthy merchant class
3. Peasants- most of the people of Japan
Japan was very isolated until 1853 when US Commodore Matthew Perry sailed in to Japan and forced them to open their ports
In the late 1800’s many Japanese were tired of being controlled by foreign countries.
-adopted western ways in hopes to keep Western Powers out of their country
1. heavy industry
2. modern army
3. strong navy
Showed off new power in several wars
1. Sino-Japanese War- 1894-95, Japan won
2. Russo-Japanese War- 1904-05, Japan shocked the world by beating Russia, gained partial control of Manchuria
3. World War I- allied with the US, gained German Islands in the Pacific after the war
1920’s
-gave all men the right to vote
-signed the 4, 5 and 9 Power Pacts
-joined the League of Nations
-signed the Kellog-Briand Pact- outlawed war.
1930’s
-Great Depression changed everything
-people blamed the government for tough times
-military leaders stepped in and took control
-said Japan had to expand in to Asia to help economy
-assassinated political leaders that opposed them
-took away people’s rights
Japanese Military Honor
1. fight to the death
2. commit suicide rather than surrender- Kamakazi- flew planes and flew right into U.S. boats.
3. gekokujo- open defiance of superior officers by junior officers, seen as a positive thing, shows the spirit of the soldier.
Japanese Invasion of Manchuria
League of Nations couldn't enforce its authority.
A major power could get away with using force.
Great Britain and France wanted to avoid war at all costs.
League also lost its most powerful member in the Far East.
1932- U.S. was focused on the depression, FDR won easily.
U.S. wanted to improve relations with South America for trade.
Ethiopia invaded by Mussolini 1936
Italy lost its Ethiopia colony in Africa at the 1896 Battle of Adua.
On of the worst dolonial disasters of modern history.
Feb. 23, 1935- Italy sends large forces into Ethiopia.
Oct. 7, 1935- League declared Italy the aggresor.
Nov. 18, 1935- Economic Santions begin.- arms and financial embargo, non importation of Italian goods.
Feb. 1936- League could not aggree on critical oil santions mainly because of FDR refused, U.S. controlled 50% world oil trade.
Feb. 29 1936- FDR signed 1936 Nuetrality Act, manditory arms embargo with warring nations, manditory ban on loans to warring nations.
May 5- Italy occupies Addis Ababa, annexed all Ethiopia May 9.
1936-1939- Spain had Civil War- Nationalist leader- Generalisimo Francisco Franco
Wanted to keep out communist.
Hitler and Mussilini helped Franco get into power.
Civil War hid Hitler's doings and Hitler put his troops in Spain to get practice fighting.
FDR vs. Alf Landon- Landon gets beat bad.
Rome-Berlin Axis- 1936- official alliance between Germany and Italy. World rotate around Rome and Berlin.
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