Japan and the Pacific War (1941 -1945): decision to attack Pearl Harbor; initial successes; reasons for defeat

Japan and the Pacific War (1941 -1945): decision to attack Pearl Harbor; initial successes; reasons for defeat Decision to attack Pearl Harbor What happened At 07.55 on Sunday 7th December 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on the US Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii – home to the US Pacific Fleet. 18 US ships …

Invasion of Manchuria and China and its impact on relations with the West

Invasion of Manchuria and China and its impact on relations with the West Manchuria Short term impacts US said that Tokyo couldn’t be held responsible since it was the Kwantung Army that acted without authorisation → so Jiang asked LON to defend sovereignty Stimson doctrine, Jan 1932 (USA) Would not recognise Manchukuo Would not accept …

Reasons for, and impact of, the rise of militarism and extreme nationalism: increasing influence of the army in politics; political coups and assassinations

Reasons for, and impact of, the rise of militarism and extreme nationalism: increasing influence of the army in politics; political coups and assassinations Role of emperor and government (long term, underlying political reasons) Emperor Sacred and sovereign, exert influence on political life E.g. 1927-1928, forced PM Giichi to resign after assassination of ZZL Meiji Constitution …

Taisho democracy: the growth of liberal values and the two-party system

Taisho democracy: the growth of liberal values and the two-party system Evidence of blossoming democracy Hara Kei is the commoner nominated as PM in 1918 Before this, most PMs were appointed by Genro ⇒ divided between Ito Hirobumi (liberal) and Aritomo (military) It made a dent in the system of big businesses/elites ruling Japan Lowered …

The impact of the First World War and the post-war conferences

Impact of the First World War Political Under Emperor Taisho, colonial markets + middle class who could challenge genro with new political parties Meiji Genro vs new political parties Economic By 1920s ⇒ decline in economy as the benefits of war disappeared ⇒ increased military power Rural v urban divide, rice riots, depression, post-war decline, …

Japan, 1912-1990

Syllabus: The impact of the First World War and the post-war conferences Taisho democracy: the growth of liberal values and the two-party system Reasons for, and impact of, the rise of militarism and extreme nationalism: increasing influence of the army in politics; political coups and assassinations Invasions of Manchuria (1931) and China (1937), and impact …

A word about rejection

It's March. That time of year where all US University decisions are coming out - which means, for some, inevitable rejection. I wrote a piece on my personal blog that I wanted to share with you in case you're feeling a little disappointed.  Hi. I'm really sorry. I know you don't want this right now, but, It's okay to …

The impact of Mao’s policies on women and minorities

Women in China Background: pre-Mao Historically, Chinese women had been among the most repressed in the world. Imperial China had been a patriarchal society, Confucian ideals held that a woman must obey her husband: Loyalty of minister and officials to the emperor, respect of children from their parents, obediences of wives to their husbands Very …

Social changes under Mao

Literacy The PRC wanted to raise the education levels for China 1949: 20% literate 1950s: national system of primary educated established 1955: Mandarin language reform (pinyin - standardised) (80% used this) 1976: 70% literate Children’s Pioneer Corps, New Democratic Youth Leagues 1955: New, standard form of Mandarin adopted Before this, there was no one language …

Cultural changes under Mao

The arts Cultural revolution, May 1966 - attack on “Four Olds” ⇒ ideas, customs, habits and traditions Only art that reflected the revolutionary spirit was accepted e.g. Daizhao, posters Depicted strong peasant, soldiers and workers Artists e.g. calligraphers, subject to humiliation, re-education and torture “Black painting” exhibitions of works that did not reflect the political …