Japan and China in the 1930's

Résumé du document

At the end of the XIXth century, the dominant position of European powers and of the United States in the Far East remained unmistakable. In fact, the European powers occupied Indochina and shared the occupation of China. Asia remained a stifled continent. But at the end of the century, Japan, which had recently launched the Muji revolution, appeared to be on the way of modernisation. Japan realized a huge economic and political modernisation based on the imitation of western countries. This country became an important economic and political regional force in Far East Asia. With the increasing of power comes the will of domination and economic and military expansion as a kind of reinforcement of this power. So in the first years of the XXth century, Japan, proud of its modernisation, began to rival the European in Asia by claiming an area of influence. As European powers, Japan was interesting by its giant neighbour: China in order to demonstrate its serious power. In fact, this country is politically weak but rich in natural resources: the perfect prey. From 1900 to the 1920's, Japan began its expansion in the archipelagos of the Pacific but remained in front of the door of China that was a European influence area. However, in the 1930's, Japan felt powerful enough to widen its area of influence in Asia and began to threat China. These following years are very important in the understanding of current event, as the recent strains between China and Japan shows. In fact, the Japanese expansionism led to a conflict between the two countries in the 1930's that remains a source of strain today by the manipulation of the memory in each country. In order to be more familiar with these current strains , I've chosen to deal with this part of far east history that is forgotten by westerns. I will wonder how this Japanese expansionism manifested itself in the 1930's. Firstly, we will analyse the reasons, the motivations and the first foot of this expansionism (1930-1935). Then we will see how this will of power faced resistance in China and reached to a war that definitely impressed Asian minds (1935-1939).

Extraits

[...] On November 27th 1935, Japanese troops occupied Beijing and began a purification of the administration. In the appendix we can see a photograph of Robert Capa showing the entrance of Japanese troops in the “Forbidden City” in Beijing. The Chinese government was not ready for a retort but continue the rebuilding of its army. With this series of pushing of extension the cease fire of 1933 is completely broken. The submission of the Chinese government is not reached for Japan that must now consider a more important action in China in order to transform this country in an economical protectorate Japan, China and the War: 1937-1939. [...]

[...] Japan faced a huge demographic expansion. In fact, in 1914 there was fifty million of Japanese, only twenty-four years later they were seventy-two millions. So, there was a huge problem of overpopulation. We can observe a phenomenon of land hunger: the quantity of farmable lands is insufficient in order to feed all peasants. The slowdown of the activity leads to a massive unemployment. Each year, Japan faces with the increasing of of the number of jobs applicants. The economic and social situation seams problematic and nationalist governments must find rapidly a solution. [...]

[...] The European states more preoccupied by European rivalries settled for moral condemnation. Even economical pressures were refused. In fact, Japan did not threaten the European interests in China. Even the USSR that was loosing its influence in Far East with this Japanese extension did not risk a military confrontation that would be uncertain. The USSR concluded an agreement with the Japan by recognize the Manchukuo and negotiated in 1935 a compensation in exchange of its non-intervention. So in the 1930's, Japan want to realize its dream of imperialism on the continent. [...]

[...] Japan and China in the 1930's The occupation of the Forbidden City by Japanese troops in 1937. At the end of the XIXth century, the dominant position of European powers and of the United States in the Far East remained unmistakable. In fact, the European powers occupied Indochina and shared the occupation of China. Asia remained a stifled continent. But at the end of the century, Japan, which had recently launched the Muji revolution, appeared to be on the way of modernisation. [...]

[...] In the early 1930, Japan suffers from an insufficiency of its farming production; the internal market is very weak, the industry suffers from a lack of resources such as iron, oil or coal. Moreover, Japan suffers from the fall of financial markets and the fall of its external trade particularly with European countries. The return to economical nationalisms led to the boycott of Japanese products in China and in the Commonwealth. The Japanese industry must find rapidly natural resources for its alimentary sufficiency but also resources and markets for its industry. China will be the perfect prey. Moreover, we can add demographic and social motivations for expansionism. [...]