Summary of IB History: Move to Global War-Japanese Expansion in the 1930s Part 2
The video delves into Japanese political issues in the 1930s, highlighting the conflict between democratic government and military power. Two major factions, the Imperial Way and the Control Faction, emerge within the Japanese military, with General Hideki Tojo playing a key role in the latter. Japan initiates the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937, culminating in devastating air raids and the infamous Rape of Nanjing. Despite hopes for a quick victory, strong Chinese nationalism and international outrage over atrocities prolong the conflict. Japan faces resistance in establishing the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere and sees the military gaining more control over the civilian government, leading to Tojo becoming Prime Minister in 1941. Diplomatic relations include signing the Tripartite Axis Pact and a neutrality act with the Soviet Union. Tensions with the United States escalate following Japan's move into Indochina, culminating in the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and US declaration of war.
### Methodology:
- Discussion of Japanese political issues in the 1930s
- Explanation of the two major factions within the Japanese military
- Overview of the Second Sino-Japanese War
- Analysis of Japanese attempts to establish the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
- Examination of the military's increased control over the civilian government
- Description of Japan's diplomatic relationships with other countries leading up to WWII
### Speakers:
- Unnamed speaker
Notable Quotes
—
01:54
— « The ground war would be supported by absolutely devastating air raids, a sign of what modern war was going to be looking like.
»
—
02:46
— « Hundreds of thousands would be murdered, and it is just one of the ugliest scenes that we will see coming out of this story of the second world war.
»
—
05:27
— « They did not see the Soviet Union as the immediate threat that others in Japan had seen it. So, the neutrality act with the Soviet Union signed in April of 1941 is going to essentially say that Japan neither Japan nor the Soviet Union will attack each other. »