What led to the rise of fascism in japan (internal factors) ?

1. FAILURE OF THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT - Diets limited power Japan set up a parliament (Diet) in the 19th century However , real power always remained in the hands of the Emporer and the genro (group of retired Japanese statesmen who served as informal advisors ) ASA , diet could not make its own decisions it could only question the decisions of the cabinet ministers . Lack of democratic control over , national budget . Eg : senior army officers would suggest setting aside a huge sum of money for the Japanese army . the diet would disagree but since it had no control , its suggestions would go unheard . Japans democratic leaders were seen as weak and inefficient as they could not solve the economic problems Fascism seemed to offer an alternative to the democratic government

2. Corruption damaged the democracys reputation

In the 1920s Many democratic political parties were formed to participate in the elections . In order to finance elaborate campaigns , The parties looked for ziabatsus( very wealthy companies who were very powerful in japan ) for sponsorship Over the years , ziabatsus were able to make use of their close ties tp make the govt pass laws in their favor These close ties lead to rumours of corruption .

Sometimes true , but sometime made up by rival political parties . At the diet meetings they accused each other of corruption this caused them to fight As a result , the diet were unable to gain the support of ordinary Japanese .

3. Failure of the democratic leaders to solve economic problems

3.1 farmers difficult living conditions democratic leaders failed to solve the problems of the farmers by 1920 , Half of the farmers had < 1.25 acres of land farmers could not make any profits as they could not grow a lot of rice on their tiny plots . other half of the farms belonged to landlords who rented out these plots for high prices to tenants at 1920 1929 rice prices dropped ,and made life even more difficult for farmers earnings fell by more than 50 % Tenant unions were formed for the rights of these tenants The tenant unions reacted to high land rents by violence Tenant landlord disputes broke out . These disputes plagued japan from 1920-1930 ASA food supply drastically declined . Farmers were very unhappy with the government for not improving their conditions 3.2 The workers difficult working conditions Workers also unhappy with govt , for not improving their living/working conditions

Workers lived in crowded unhygienic rooms provided by their companies ; they worked for more than 10 hours a day; very low wages Some workers were even locked in their offices and could only leave few times each month Workers felt as if , the govt did not care about them anymore and only supported the militarists The workers became impatient with the govt and joined unions ; some were supported by communists This cause the govt to fear of a communist revolution in japan just like Russia In 1921 , 25000 workers went on strike in Tokyo

4. Trade imbalance Despite the many internal problems in japan , Japan began to prosper Because of global trade ; cheap electronic goods were made and sold all over the world;textiles was the leading export ;china and porcelain produced according to western designs Japans trade in the region grew HOWEVER , japan was in need of many raw materials for its major industries But it did not even have them Japan had to import all these raw materials which are expensive This caused trade imabalance This imbalance grew when japan had to import more and more food to feed its growing population

IMPACT OF ECONOMIC PROBLEMS 1. Great depression ( 1929) When great depression occurred , There was a drastic decrease in Japanese exports AAR, of protectionism Countries increased taxes on foreign goods so that more people would buy goods from their home countries instead . Silk japans main export was worse affected; because of protectionism , demand for silk in USA and other parts fell . By 1932 , the price became 1/5

Japan was badly affected ; as , this led to severe economic depression in the country Farmers were badly affected Because Japanese , farmers produced silk to earn more income They could no longer do so during great depression , as there was no more demand for silk On top of that it was a double whammy , as there was a drought in 1932 . Fewer crops were produces and the farmers earned even less income Out of desperations the farmers either sold their daughters /join the army / join the patriotic societies to make ends meet 2/3 of japan lived in rural areas They looked at those in the city with disdain The GD was a serious blow to the credibility of the democratic govt . It created social unrest as people were growing impatient . THIS gave the military the opportunity to gain popularity for its more aggressive approach

RISE OF NATIONALISTIC IDEAS 1. Showa restoration Showa restoration : the emperor was glorified jap virtues such as self sacrifice in service of the nation was promoted .

They began to support patriotic societies who were espousing : national reconstruction /military strength/respect for authority .

They also believed in militarism and aggressive foreign policies 2. Formation of patriotic societies Many army officers were ultra nationalistic and wanted to return to military leadership EG : cherry blossom wanted to revive patriotism a socialist military dictatorship with strong aggressive foreign policies .

3. New education policies From 1890s , education system of Japanese emphasized on Japanese virtues such as :self-sacrifice in the service of the emperor . This movement produced youths who were blindly loyal to the emperor and the nation .

They also believed in militarism and aggressive foreign policies

GROWING INFLUENCE OF ARMY AND NAVY

1. London disarmament conference 1930 In 1930 , Hamaguchi wanted to ensure further naval arms reduction with Britain and usa ; he also wanted to improve ties with China . At 1930 London disarmament conference , he gave to the demands of USA and Britain to limit the number of japans smaller battleships He also tried to reduce the military budget due to the impact of the great depression Military accused Hamaguchis govt of betraying japan and being too soft in handling relations with the west and china They sought to bring down his government Hamaguchi was wounded after he was shot by an assassin The assassin was not even charged in court May 1932 , prime minister ki Inukai was assassinated for criticizing the military regarding their actions towards Manchuria Murdurers were sentenced to 15 years of jail but they soon got released in just a few years . 2. Japanese foreign policies The democratic govt pursuit of friendly and tolerant relations with other countries was to end with the increasing influence of the military . By 1930 : japans foreign policies were anti western and expansionist and aggressive for economic survival To fascilitate these alliances japan made a number of alliances .

3. Japans expansionist policy co prosperity sphere Idea was to justify expansionist policies of japan to extend control over neighbouring countries using trade HOWEVER , IN REALITY THE MAIN OBJECTIVE WAS TO OBTAIN RAW MATERIALS AND LAND . Militarys emphasis on

UNHAPPINESS WITH FORMER ALLIED POWERS

1. Conflict of interest with the USA American expansion in the Asia pacific region threatened Japanese plans to control the region Ever since 1853, when commodore Mathew perry forced japan to trade with USA , USA started to take an increasing interest in doing business in the asia pacific By 1930 , areas under American control had expanded including islands like Hawaii /Philippines . Japanese militarists believed that japan and americas similary economic and military interests would bring them into conflict over who controlled the Asia pacific

2. Washington Naval Conference 1921-1922 It aimed to reduce the naval forces of the major naval powers . Japan was required to have a smaller naval size than USA and Britain Many Japanese felt that , that was unfair They felt that it was a deliberate attempt by the USA to restrict Japanese power and growth .

3. US immigration law In 1924 USA tried to prevent all asian immigrants as part of isolationist and protectionist policy . USA forbade Chinese /Koreans/Japanese /Indians Asians could not own any land there / marry any Caucasians Immigrants who were there since a long time could not even become citizens As japan was facing problems of over population at that time , the ban of emigration to USA made many (esp , militarists) to believe that acquiring colonies was the only alternative .

4. USA tax embargoes To protect its industries , the USA imposed higher import taxes Japanese goods became very expensive Hurt the Japanese economy badly Many Japanese felt that if they had colonies , Japanese goods would not be subjected to import takes thus , making the Japanese economy thrive AFTERWARDS , japan did not need to maintaine good relations with USA When japan expressed interests in Indo China , USA was threatened and along with BRITAIN and FRANCE , it but embargoes on the supply of raw materias to Japan in order to stop its plans of invasion Japan was badly affected , and forced to seek a more aggressive solutioin to life embargoes .

5. Paris peace conference 1919 Japanese had fought the WW1 with allied powers In the conference , when Japanese requested that the league of nations formally recognize all races as one , Britain and france refused . As a result , Japanese ( esp militarists ) were very unhappy

They felt that they had to prove to westerners that they were just as good as them . This could only be done if Japan had its own colonial empire .

6. Chinese nationalism Since 1894 Sino Japanese war , japan benefited from Chinas weak government It took advantage by gaining special rights and control Chinese territories . In 1920 the koumintang (KMT) tried to untie china It fought warlords and Chinese communist party (CCP) THIS (above point) led to struggles which made china weak Situation changed in 1927 when kmt and ccp joined forces . They demanded an end to all the special concessions of japan When japan refused , they showed anti Japanese demonstration by boycotting goods . which hurt the Japanese economy badly The Japanese army stationed in Manchuria proposed that japan invade Manchuria and north china only This lightened the situation before the Chiang govt became too strong .

7. London disarmament conference 1930 In 1930 , Hamaguchi wanted to ensure further naval arms reduction with Britain and usa ; he also wanted to improve ties with China . At 1930 London disarmament conference , he gave to the demands of USA and Britain to limit the number of japans smaller battleships He also tried to reduce the military budget due to the impact of the great depression Military accused Hamaguchis govt of betraying japan and being too soft in handling relations with the west and china They sought to bring down his government Hamaguchi was wounded after he was shot by an assassin

The assassin was not even charged in court May 1932 , prime minister ki Inukai was assassinated for criticizing the military regarding their actions towards Manchuria Murdurers were sentenced to 15 years of jail but they soon got released in just a few years .