Democracy And Fascism In The Early 1900s Study Mode
Democracy and Fascism in the Early 1900s
Japan Wants an Empire
During the 1920s, the Japanese became more democratic and international treaty agreeing to respect China’s borders. Japan’s parliamentary system had weaknesses but there were strict limits on the power of the prime minister and the cabinet. Civilian leaders had little control over the armed forces who only report to the emperor. When the Great Depression struck Japanese people blamed the government and soon the military gained support and power. They wanted the emperor to be the symbol of state power. Emperor Hirohito was head of state and he won popular support for the army leaders. Japan’s militarists were extreme nationalists who wanted to solve economic problems through foreign expansion. They planned a Pacific empire with the idea of controlling China. It would provide raw materials, market goods and room for population. They invested in Manchuria, rich in iron and coal. The Japanese army seized it without parliament’s consent and made a puppet government and built mines and factories. This attack was the first challenge to the League of Nations so they protested but Japan ignored them. Soon Japanese forces swept into northern China and they captured Beijing, Nanjing and many other northern cities. Even though China’s army had millions and was led by Jiang Jieshi, they still lost. He set up a new capital in Chongqing. The Chinese guerrillas led by China’s Communist leader, Mao Zedong continued to fight.
European Aggressors
The League’s failure to stop the Japanese encouraged Fascists to plan their own aggression. The Italian leader Mussolini wanted to build colonies in Africa like Britain and France. Ethiopians had successfully resisted an Italian attempt at conquest so Mussolini ordered a massive invasion in 1935 with a stronger military force. The League could not do anything so the Italians continued. By allowing this to happen, France hoped for peace in Europe. Hitler
Japan Wants an Empire
During the 1920s, the Japanese became more democratic and international treaty agreeing to respect China’s borders. Japan’s parliamentary system had weaknesses but there were strict limits on the power of the prime minister and the cabinet. Civilian leaders had little control over the armed forces who only report to the emperor. When the Great Depression struck Japanese people blamed the government and soon the military gained support and power. They wanted the emperor to be the symbol of state power. Emperor Hirohito was head of state and he won popular support for the army leaders. Japan’s militarists were extreme nationalists who wanted to solve economic problems through foreign expansion. They planned a Pacific empire with the idea of controlling China. It would provide raw materials, market goods and room for population. They invested in Manchuria, rich in iron and coal. The Japanese army seized it without parliament’s consent and made a puppet government and built mines and factories. This attack was the first challenge to the League of Nations so they protested but Japan ignored them. Soon Japanese forces swept into northern China and they captured Beijing, Nanjing and many other northern cities. Even though China’s army had millions and was led by Jiang Jieshi, they still lost. He set up a new capital in Chongqing. The Chinese guerrillas led by China’s Communist leader, Mao Zedong continued to fight.
European Aggressors
The League’s failure to stop the Japanese encouraged Fascists to plan their own aggression. The Italian leader Mussolini wanted to build colonies in Africa like Britain and France. Ethiopians had successfully resisted an Italian attempt at conquest so Mussolini ordered a massive invasion in 1935 with a stronger military force. The League could not do anything so the Italians continued. By allowing this to happen, France hoped for peace in Europe. Hitler