The Great Depression and Japanese Expansion

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the reasons of Japanese expansionism in the 1930's and assesses the Great Depression as a factor against other reasons. It provides a brief history of Japan at the time and shows how Japan had been expansionist before the 1930?s, attempting to realise her ambitions from the 1890?s. It looks at how the Great Depression altered the domestic situation in a way which meant existent forces of expansionism, principally in the form of the army, were able to grow. It shows how it laid the way for the army to take control and also helped, through it?s social and economic affects to foster a more pro-Manchurian public opinion.

From the Paper:

"Evidence exists of Japanese expansionism from the 1890's and ambitions for this from earlier still. Japan was initially looking to break-out of what Beasley describes as the "Treaty Port System"; the complex system of colonial treaties which gave the imperial powers significant trading and economic advantages. Japan thus signed various commercial treaties, notably with Britain in 1894, to gain greater economic equality. This gradually being achieved, expansion of some form could begin: in 1890, Yamagata Aritomo, high profile politician and leading Genro (with the task of advising the emperor and deciding on various civil appointments), talked of the need to defend Japans? "line of sovereignty." This line included Korea, whose independence Japan would ?guarantee.? "

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