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Case study 1: Japanese Expansion In East Asia 1931-41 (The Global War)

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Chart Increasing

Case Study 2: German & Italian Expansion 1933-40 (The Global War)

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Handshake

Part 1 - Rivalry, Mistrust & Accord (The Cold War)

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Medal

Part 2 - Leaders & Nations (The Cold War)

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Radioactive

Part 3 - Cold War Crises (The Cold War)

<ul>
	<li>Japan, like many other countries, relied on exporting goods to other countries for its economic stability.</li>
	<li>The Great Depression, which started in 1929, led to a collapse in world trade and negatively affected Japan.</li>
</ul>


<ul>
	<li>In response to the economic downturn, the Japanese government implemented an austerity program, which focused on deflationary measures (reducing inflation or preventing it from occurring).</li>
	<li>Niall Ferguson, a historian, suggests that Japan&#39;s decision to pursue austerity and return to the gold standard in 1929, right before the Wall Street Crash, was poorly timed and made the situation worse.</li>
</ul>


<ul>
	<li>Japan&#39;s exports fell by 6% between 1929 and 1931.</li>
	<li>Unemployment rose to 1 million people.</li>
	<li>Agricultural incomes also slumped.</li>
</ul>


<ul>
	<li>Faced with an overvalued Yen and increasing protectionism by the British Empire and American markets, Japan decided to leave the gold standard in 1931.</li>
	<li>This allowed the Yen to float, meaning there was no fixed rate of exchange.</li>
	<li>At the same time, the government started spending money on military equipment.</li>
</ul>


<ul>
	<li>Japan faced a shortage of raw materials through the 1930s, which hurt small to medium-sized producers.</li>
	<li>Zaibatsu, large Japanese business conglomerates, benefited as their political influence and economic power enabled them to direct scarce resources their way.</li>
</ul>


<ul>
	<li>Japan heavily depended on the British Empire for raw materials such as jute, lead, tin, zinc, iron ore, and cotton.</li>
	<li>They also depended on the U.S. for cotton, scrap metal, and oil.</li>
	<li>As protectionist measures led to a shrinking of world markets, Japan had to reassess its political and military position.</li>
</ul>


<ul>
	<li>Japan&#39;s rapidly growing population needed more living space and access to food.</li>
	<li>Hane, a historian, referred to Japan&#39;s quest for an &quot;imperial market&quot; to meet these needs.</li>
	<li>Imperial expansion led to the emigration of around 315,000 Japanese citizens between 1935 and 1940.</li>
</ul>


<ul>
	<li>However, Ferguson notes that the problem with imperial expansion was that it required increased imports of petroleum, copper, coal, machinery, and iron ore to feed the growing Japanese military-industrial complex.</li>
	<li>The more imperialistic Japan became, the greater its dependence on imported raw materials.</li>
	<li>Ideally, its empire would provide the resources and absorb the goods it needed, but that time had not yet arrived.</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Real-world example:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li>The Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931 can be seen as a direct result of its need for resources, as Manchuria was rich in coal and iron ore.</li>
	<li>However, this also led to increased tensions with other countries, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of World War II.</li>
</ul>


<ul>
	<li>The Great Depression severely impacted Japan, leading to a series of economic and political decisions that shaped its trajectory in the years leading up to World War II.</li>
	<li>Japan&#39;s quest for resources and the desire to establish an imperial market were driven by both economic and demographic pressures.</li>
	<li>These moves, however, increased its dependence on imported resources and set the stage for further military expansion.</li>
</ul>


Case study 1: Japanese Expansion In East Asia 1931-41 (The Global War)

Insightful Look: Japan & The Great Depression

Table of content

Great depression hits japan

Austerity & deflation

Economic decline

Government action

Unlock the Full Content!

Case study 1: Japanese Expansion In East Asia 1931-41 (The Global War)

Insightful Look: Japan & The Great Depression

Table of content

Great depression hits japan

Austerity & deflation

Economic decline

Government action

Unlock the Full Content!