Rise of militarism in Japan

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Japan

Factors leading to the rise of militarism

Meaning of militarism: It is a belief that a country should be placed entirely under the absolute military control and foreign expansion should be carried out.

INTERNAL  

  1. Japan’s militaristic tradition

For several centuries before Emperor Meiji regained political power in1868, Japan was ruled by the shogun. Under his rule, Japan was a military dictatorship. After 1868, the military still enjoyed superior status under the Meiji Constitution. They had direct asses to the Emperor, and were not under cabinet or Diet control. They could even stop the formation of a cabinet by not appointing army and navy ministers to it. During the Meiji Modernization, the education and military reforms emphasized traditional virtues such as bravery, obedience to superiors, loyalty to the Emperor and self-sacrifice. The government indoctrinated young men with Bushido spirit and patriotism.

  1. The weakness of the democratic government
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The victory of the USA, Britain and France in WWI was regarded as the victory of democracy. Japan then turned into the path of democratic development and entered a short period of party politics in the period 1918-32. Lacking foundation in democracy, Japan’s political parties gained votes through cheating and corruption in elections instead of educating the public about democracy. After obtaining power, they continued to devote themselves on political struggle which led to frequent changes of prime ministers. The political parties in power failed to seize the opportunity to strengthen their position. They did not make any laws that ...

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