Emerging Power
Outline the outcome of the Russo-Japanese War.
Japan defeated Russia, gaining control of Korea and territory in southern Manchuria.
Identify one feature of the limited liberal democracy introduced in Japan in the 1920s.
The 1925 Universal Manhood Suffrage Law gave all adult men the right to vote, although women remained excluded.
Identify one way the Great Depression affected Japan.
Falling exports and unemployment created economic hardship and weakened confidence in democratic governments.
Identify one major aim of Japanese foreign policy by 1937.
To expand Japanese influence and territory in East Asia and secure access to resources and markets.
Outline two ways Japan’s emergence as a great power affected its political development by the 1930s.
Military success increased the prestige and influence of the army, while expansion encouraged stronger nationalism and militarism.
Outline two consequences of the annexation of Korea for Japan.
Describe the political influence of the zaibatsu in Japan during the 1920s.
The zaibatsu were powerful business families that influenced governments through financial support, lobbying and connections with politicians.
Describe the role of the army in the rise of militarism during the 1930s.
The army became increasingly influential in politics and supported expansion, nationalism and military rule.
Describe one strategy Japan used to achieve its foreign policy aims.
Japan used military expansion, including the occupation of Manchuria in 1931, to increase its territory and access to resources.
Describe how the Great Depression contributed to the collapse of party politics in Japan.
Economic hardship and unemployment weakened confidence in political parties, while the military gained support by promising economic recovery and national strength.
Explain how the 21 Demands demonstrated Japan’s growing confidence as a great power.
Japan used its stronger international position to demand extensive political and economic privileges from China, showing it was willing to assert its influence over other nations.
Explain how the Seiyūkai influenced Japanese governments in the 1920s.
The Seiyūkai was a major political party that formed governments and used its influence to control appointments, policies and government spending.
Explain how the Great Depression contributed to the rise of militarism.
Economic hardship increased dissatisfaction with party governments and the zaibatsu. Militarists gained support by promising economic recovery, national strength and overseas expansion.
Explain how ideology influenced Japanese foreign policy to 1937.
Nationalism, militarism and ideas of Japanese superiority encouraged expansion and the belief that Japan had a right to lead and control parts of Asia.
Explain the relationship between Japanese expansion and the rise of militarism during the 1930s.
Expansion strengthened the army’s influence and encouraged nationalism. Military leaders increasingly argued that territorial expansion was necessary for Japan’s security, resources and economic prosperity.
Explain how World War I contributed to Japan’s economic growth.
European countries focused on the war, reducing competition for Japanese goods. Japan increased exports, industrial production and profits, leading to rapid economic growth.
Analyse how political parties and the zaibatsu challenged traditional political authority in Japan during the 1920s.
Political parties gained greater control over government, while the zaibatsu used their wealth and connections to influence politicians. This reduced the traditional dominance of the bureaucracy, military and emperor.
Analyse why party politics collapsed and militarism gained influence during the 1930s.
Economic crisis, political corruption and hostility towards the zaibatsu weakened public support for political parties. Army divisions and military influence increased, while political violence intimidated opponents and undermined democratic government.
Analyse how Japanese foreign policy changed between 1931 and 1937.
Japan moved from greater cooperation with international powers towards aggressive unilateral expansion. The occupation of Manchuria and withdrawal from the League of Nations reflected growing militarism and rejection of Western interference.
Analyse how political, economic and ideological factors contributed to the changing nature of Japanese foreign policy to 1937.
Economic problems encouraged Japan to seek resources and markets through expansion. Political instability weakened party government and strengthened the military, while nationalism, militarism and ideas of Japanese leadership in Asia provided ideological justification for expansion.
Explain how Japanese expansion between 1904 and 1921 affected Japan’s status as a great power.
Military victories, territorial expansion and increased economic influence strengthened Japan’s international reputation and established it as a major power alongside Western nations.
Assess the extent to which limited liberal democracy changed Japan’s political system during the 1920s.
To a moderate extent. Political parties and elected governments became more influential and voting rights expanded, but the zaibatsu, bureaucracy, military and emperor retained significant power.
Assess the significance of the army in the rise of militarism in Japan during the 1930s.
The army was highly significant, using political influence, nationalism and expansionism to weaken party government. However, the rise of militarism also resulted from the Great Depression, social tensions, hostility towards the zaibatsu and weaknesses in Japan’s political system.
Assess the significance of ideology in shaping Japanese foreign policy to 1937.
Ideology was highly significant, as nationalism, militarism and ideas of Japanese leadership in Asia justified expansion. However, foreign policy was also driven by economic needs, security concerns and the desire for resources and territory.
Assess the extent to which the rise of militarism transformed Japan’s position and foreign policy between 1921 and 1937.
To a great extent. Military influence contributed to the collapse of party politics and encouraged increasingly aggressive foreign policy, including expansion into Manchuria and China. However, economic pressures, nationalism and existing imperial ambitions also contributed to this transformation.