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Syllabus Topic
National Studies
Option E: Japan 1904-1937
Survey
Challenges to traditional power and authority in the 1920s, including:
Rise of militarism in the 1930s, including:
Japanese foreign policy, including:
Between 1904 and 1937, Japan transformed from a rising imperial power in East Asia into an increasingly militarised nation on the path to global conflict. This period began with military victories that secured Japan’s position among world powers, continued with growing economic and political modernisation, and ended with rising nationalism and expansionism that set the stage for World War II.
Russo- Japanese War and Emergence as a World Power (1904–1912)
Japan’s victory in the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905) shocked the world, marking the first time an Asian nation had defeated a major European power in modern warfare. By gaining control of Port Arthur, southern Sakhalin, and influence over Korea, Japan was recognised as a great power. The annexation of Korea in 1910 further demonstrated Japan’s imperial ambitions. Domestically, the Meiji era, which ended in 1912, promoted industrialisation, centralised government, and social reforms, though political power remained concentrated in the hands of the emperor, oligarchs, and the military.
Taishō Democracy and World War I (1912–1926)
The Taishō period saw caution steps toward liberal democracy. Political parties gained influence, and universal male suffrage was introduced in 1925. Japan sided with the Allies during World War I, seizing German colonies in Shandong (China) and the Pacific. This participation secured Japan’s seat among the Big Five at the League of Nations. Economically, Japan prospered during the war, expanding exports and industry. However, the postwar years brought inflation, social unrest, and the devastating Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923, which killed over 100,000 people and deepened instability.
Militarisation and Expansionism (1926–1937)
With the accession of Emperor Hirohito in 1926, Japan entered the Shōwa era. Economic hardship during the Great Depression and disillusionment with party politics fueled the rise of nationalist and militarist factions. The military increasingly dominated government policy, sidelining civilian leaders. In 1931, the Manchurian Incident (also known as the Mukden Incident) led to Japan’s occupation of Manchuria and the establishment of the puppet state of Manchukuo, drawing international condemnation and Japan’s withdrawal from the League of Nations in 1933. Tensions escalated as Japan pursued expansion in China, culminating in the Marco Polo Bridge Incident of July 1937, which sparked the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Conclusion
From 1904 to 1937, Japan evolved from a modernising empire to a militarised state committed to expansion in Asia. Early triumphs in war and diplomacy strengthened its global position, but economic crises, nationalism, and military dominance undermined democratic reforms. By 1937, Japan stood on the brink of total war in Asia, setting the stage for its pivotal role in World War II.
SOURCES:
EBSCO: Russo-Japanese War
World History Encyclopedia: Meiji era
Cambridge University Press: universal male suffrage
History.com: League of Nations
National Museum of Australia: Great Depression
Britannica: Manchurian Incident
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