Paper 1 IB World History Notes (Topic 3: Expansion)

Paper 1
Expansion
Contents
Japanese Expansion...............................................................................................................................2
German Expansion.................................................................................................................................8
Italian Expansion..................................................................................................................................11
Crises...................................................................................................................................................13
Manchurian Crisis............................................................................................................................13
The Ruhr Crisis (1923)......................................................................................................................15
Abyssinian Crisis (1935-36)..............................................................................................................17




1

, Japanese Expansion

Why did Japan expand?

Land

- Japan was overpopulated
- Desire for a large empire

Ideology

- Militarism – growing domination of the government by the army
- Nationalism

Economic

- Great Depression impacted global trade
- Manchuria and China would provide resources

Political

- Instability in China and Japan



Background

Pre 1868

 1603-1868: The Tokugawa Shogunate
o Feudalism in Japan
 Emperor  Shogun  Daimyo  Samurai  Ronin  Peasants 
Artisans  Merchants
o During this time, Japan was supposed to be ruled by an emperor, but power was
held by the shogunate or the bakufu who was the government.
o Japan followed an isolationist foreign policy to preserve culture and prevent
colonisation, such as what was occurring in China. Foreign influences seemed to
be a threat.

Origins

 Factors in the Growth of Japanese Nationalism
o The determination to transform Japan into a
Western-style power – desire for equality with
Western Powers
o Japan’s belief that its destiny was to be the leader of
Asia
o Need for raw materials
o Security
o Actions of Western powers
o Growing support for nationalism and militarism


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, o Imperialist foreign policy



o The Meiji Restoration  Japan was now heavily
industrialized
 Wanted to avoid what the British had done to China  unequal
treaties

1853

 American President Millard Fillmore wanted to open relations with Japan to expand ports of
trade and improve international relations.
o Gunboat Diplomacy: Delivered by Commodore Perry and four American warships
 Perry brought examples of Western technology
 Resulted in the 1854 Treaty of Kanagawa



Effects of the Treaty of Kanagawa

Economic Reforms

 Yen created
 Encouragement of free trade from the US
 industrialisation
 Growth of factories
o Textiles
 First workers were girls and women  silk factories
 Land reforms
o Zaibatsu (business conglomerates) created and expanded, taking over large sections
of the economy


Political Change

 Political power was given back to Meiji (the current emperor)
o Modernisation followed: the feudal system was dismantled, and democracy was
established. Japan no longer followed the complicated feudal system.
 Diet – Japan’s bicameral legislature – 1889
 consisted of the upper class, mainly the nobility, and contained the House of
Representatives (who were elected)
 Some people could vote
 Assist the emperor
o Meiji Constitution – established limits of power – 1890
o Military was directly responsible to the emperor

Social Changes

 Education
 Soldiers recruited from everyday citizens
o taught how to obey the emperor


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