Authoritarian Regimes

1. Authoritarian Regimes Case Study: Fascist Japan Chapter 5

2. Chapter Objectives • The beginnings of Fascism and how it became popular • Factors contributing to the failure of the democratic government in Japan • Reasons for the rise of Fascism in Japan

3. Essentially…The Chapter is about… • Impact of Economic Problems • Problems at the end of • World War I • 1929 Great Depression • Failure of the Democratic Government • Weakness of the Japanese Parliament • Corrupt Politicians • Lacked Support of Workers and Peasants WHAT LED TO THE RISE OF FASCISM IN JAPAN • Fear of Chinese Nationalism • Anti-Japanese Protests Unhappiness with Former Allied Powers 1919 Versailles Treaty 1921-22 Washington Naval Conference Mid-1920s Immigration Issues Unhappiness with Japanese Leaders who wanted Friendly Ties with the former Allied Powers

4. Chapter AssignmentDue in Week 4 • To what extent did a weak Japanese parliament contribute to the failure of the democratic government in Japan? Explain your answer. (12m) • “Unhappiness with the former Allied Powers was the most important reason that led to the rise of fascism in Japan.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (13m)

5. Activity 1 • What is Fascism? • In groups of 4, come up with a mind-map on what Fascism is about • You may use your textbook as a guide • You have 10 minutes

6. FASCISM What is Fascism? Comes from the Italian word “Fascio” Founded by Benito Mussolini in 1919 Founded at a time when Italy was having social disorder and economic problems Popular with the people as they believed that Democracy was ineffective and inefficient and that its leaders were weak Fascism believed in “Nation First” and that Democracy was weak as power was in the hands of the people. Fascism believed in having strong leadership Fascism was spread throughout the world and in Japan, the idea was strongly influenced by the Military Fascists also believed that the nation should grow strong and expand hence they were popular with young men and WWI veterans Fascism also brought About a sense of belonging

7. Benito Mussolino

8. What led to the Failure of the Democratic Government in Japan? • Why did Fascism seem so attractive? • The Japanese democratic leaders were weak, corrupt and inefficient • As a result, they were unable to solve the economic problems that plagued the people of Japan • Since Fascism valued the nation and worked towards its progress through strong leadership, the idea appealed to many Japanese

9. What led to the Failure of the Democratic Government in Japan? • The Factors: • The Limited Power of the Diet • The Damage of Democracy’s Reputation by Corruption • Failure to Solve Economic Problems • Farmer’s Economic Problems • Workers’ Economic Problems • Trade Imbalance • Great Depression of 1929

10. What led to the Failure of the Democratic Government in Japan? • The Limited Power of the Diet • Although there was a parliament (Diet), power remained with the Emperor and the Genro (retired statesmen who served the Emperor) • No power to make decisions or policies • Could not control the ministers as they were under the control of the Emperor

12. What led to the Failure of the Democratic Government in Japan? • The Limited Power of the Diet • As the Diet had no control over the government, it’s recommendations were usually overruled • As a result, the military wielded much power over the government

14. What led to the Failure of the Democratic Government in Japan? • The Damage of Democracy’s Reputation by Corruption • As Democratic leaders had to be elected into the Diet, political parties were formed with large sponsorship from the Zaibatsus • The Zaibatsus sponsored politicians in order to use the close ties to make the government pass laws that would benefit them

15. What led to the Failure of the Democratic Government in Japan? • The Damage of Democracy’s Reputation by Corruption • Because of these close ties, there were many rumours of corruption • Due to these accusations, many political parties fought in parliament and disillusioned the Japanese people

17. Zaibatsus

18. What led to the Failure of the Democratic Government in Japan? • Failure to Solve Economic Problems • Farmers’ Economic Problems • Lack of land which led to a lack of profits as the plots were too small to grow more rice • Landlords rented land at very high prices which made life difficult for the farmers • Tenant unions used violence and tenant-landlord violence was very common

20. What led to the Failure of the Democratic Government in Japan? • Failure to Solve Economic Problems • Workers’ Economic Problems • Poor living and working conditions • Crowded and unhygienic quarters • Worked long hours • Locked in working compounds • Could only leave their working compounds a few times each month • Fed up, most workers joined Communist-sponsored unions

21. What led to the Failure of the Democratic Government in Japan? • Failure to Solve Economic Problems • Trade Imbalance • Despite its internal problems, Japan prospered from global trade • Japan exported silk textiles, china (plates, cups, etc) and porcelain • However, there was a trade imbalance because Japan had to import many raw materials and food from abroad to feed its growing population

24. What led to the Failure of the Democratic Government in Japan? • Failure to Solve Economic Problems • The Great Depression of 1929 • Led to a decrease in Japan exports due to protectionism policies (increase in taxes on foreign goods to protect home-made products in difficult economic times) • Japan was badly affected because the demand for Japanese silk fell drastically • This led to economic depression

26. What led to the Failure of the Democratic Government in Japan? High Taxes on Japanese Silk More people bought silk or other type of cloths produced by their home countries thus reducing the demand for Japanese silk Effect of Protectionism on Japan High prices of Japanese silk People in other countries could not afford to buy Japanese silk

27. What led to the Failure of the Democratic Government in Japan? 80% Fall in Silk Prices Businessmen who Owned silk factories Went bankrupt Other businesses were affected Impact of decrease in silk Price The Japanese had less money to buy other goods Lower prices led to fewer goods being produced Fewer workers were needed in factories and more Japanese became unemployed

28. Effects of the Great Depression on Japan Less Demand CRASH! Loss of Paper Profits Lower Prices Less Employment Less Production Less Money in Circulation DEPRESSION Less Bank Credit Less Employment Less Demand Less Building of Factories and Homes

29. What led to the Failure of the Democratic Government in Japan? • Failure to Solve Economic Problems • The Great Depression of 1929 • The farmers were very badly hit because they produced silk to earn more income • Worse still, they were hit by a drought in 1932 and made even less money • Desperate they even resorted to selling their daughters to make ends meet

30. What led to the Failure of the Democratic Government in Japan? • Failure to Solve Economic Problems • The Great Depression of 1929 • When the economy failed to improve, they joined the army or patriotic societies • The peasants felt that democracy wasn’t working and instead believed in national reconstruction, military strength and respect for authority • Many young rural men enlisted in the Japanese army

31. What led to the Failure of the Democratic Government in Japan? • To what extent did a weak Japanese parliament contribute to the failure of the democratic government in Japan? Explain your answer. (12m) • Step 1: Explain how the weak Japanese parliament contributed to the failure of the democratic government in Japan (Remember to EXPLAIN HOW IT HAPPENED and NOT WHAT IT IS…) • Step 2: Explain 2 OTHER FACTORS In this case, Damage to Democracy’s Reputation and the Failure to Solve Economic Problems • Step 3: Weigh your answer. How far was the weak Japanese parliament responsible for the failure of the democratic government AS COMPARED TO the 2 OTHER FACTORS?

32. External Reasons American expansion in the Asia-Pacific region threatened Japanese plans to control the area Paris Peace Conference 1919 Washington Naval Conference 1921-22 London Disarmament Conference 1930 Immigration Laws in the USA in the mid 1930s Resurgence of Chinese Nationalism Internal Reasons The Showa Restoration Patriotic Societies Military’s great influence over the government Military take-over of Japan What led to the Rise of Fascism in Japan?

33. What led to the Rise of Fascism in Japan? External Reasons • American expansion in the Asia-Pacific region threatened Japanese plans to control the area • Since the opening of trade with Japan by the American Commodore, Matthew Perry, American businessmen were interested in doing business in the Asia-Pacific • The US took control of many Pacific islands to obtain Guano (bat shit) • Other islands were used as bases for American trading ships • By the 1930s, more of the Pacific region came under American control including Hawaii and the Philippines • Japanese militarists believed that Japanese and American economic and military interests would come into conflict over who would control the Asia-Pacific

37. What led to the Rise of Fascism in Japan? External Reasons • Paris Peace Conference 1919 • As Japan had fought with the Allied Powers in WWI, they requested that the League of Nations formally recognise that all races were equal • As the League of Nations refused, the Japanese, particularly the Japanese Army, were unhappy

39. What led to the Rise of Fascism in Japan? External Reasons • Washington Naval Conference 1921-1922 • The WNC aimed to reduce the naval forces of the world’s major powers • For every 5 ships Britain and the USA could build, Japan could only build 3 • The Japanese felt that this was an unfair treaty and an attempt to restrict Japanese naval power

41. What led to the Rise of Fascism in Japan? External Reasons • London Disarmament Conference 1930 • Many Japanese were unhappy when PM Hamaguchi Osachi wanted to ensure further naval arms reduction with Britain and the USA where he agreed, at the LDC to further limit Japan’s smaller battleships • They were also unhappy that he was trying to improve ties with China • The PM also reduced spending on the Army to end the Great Depression • He was accused by the Army of being too soft and betraying the country • He died in 1931 from wounds sustained in an assassination attempt in 1930

43. What led to the Rise of Fascism in Japan? External Reasons • Immigration Laws in the USA in the mid 1930s • In 1924, the USA restricted Asian immigration as part of its isolationist and protectionist policies • All Asian immigration (except for Filipinos) was banned • Asian immigrants could not become US citizens even if they had been living there for a long time • Asians could not marry Caucasians and were not allowed to own land

44. What led to the Rise of Fascism in Japan? External Reasons • Immigration Laws in the USA in the mid 1930s • There was also Asian Segregation (California Alien Law 1931) • These new immigration laws angered the Japanese who saw these policies as a sign that the Americans thought the Japanese were inferior • These laws combined with the effects of the Great Depression caused many Japanese to turn away from Democracy and support Japanese expansion overseas

46. What led to the Rise of Fascism in Japan? External Reasons • Resurgence of Chinese Nationalism • Since 1894, Japan had taken advantage of China’s weak political situation to gain special trading rights and privileges within China • The Chinese were angered by the dynastic decline and the giving of foreign concessions • Subsequently, there were struggles between the Chinese warlords and the KMT and CCP (who both tried to unite China). These struggles weakened the country

48. What led to the Rise of Fascism in Japan? External Reasons • Resurgence of Chinese Nationalism • When the KMT succeeded in uniting China, the Chinese demanded an end to the special concessions to Westerners and Japanese in China and Manchuria • Strikes and boycotts hurt Japanese economic interests in China and Manchuria

49. What led to the Rise of Fascism in Japan? External Reasons • Resurgence of Chinese Nationalism • Japanese Kwantung Army Officers in Manchuria realised that a strong and united China could prevent further Japanese expansion in the country • They urged Japan to occupy Manchuria and North China before anti-Japanese feelings became too strong • The Japanese military’s call for action was supported by many Japanese