Japanese Expansionism

Prior to the industrial revolution in the mid 19th century, Japan had remained in an economical, geographical, and cultural standstill for the previous 250-300 years. The industrial revolution presented an unprecedented shift in the economy and industry within Japan, due to this new found modernization, the Japanese strived to implement new foreign policies based off the foreign policies of the most modernized nations (at the time the U.S. and Europe).

The Japanese government also believed, that it had an obligation as an Asian nation to liberate its fellow Asian nations from American and European rule. Britain had rule over Malaya and Singapore, the French controlled Indochina, Dutch had rule over the east indies, and America controlled the Philippines. Though the Japanese proposed this idea as a unification of the Asian nations, it was primarily driven by Japan’s lack of resources and their urge to claim land in order to supply their nation with the resources necessary for production and export during the great depression. This area that Japan intended to claim became known as the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. Their quest began under controversial circumstances in a northern province of China, Manchuria. The Japanese had already had strong economic ties with the region, with a railroad already being built between the two. As well as the Japanese military forces stationed within Manchuria in order to protect Japanese interest. On September 18th of 1931, the Japanese railroad within the province was bombed, by whom many perceive to be the Japanese themselves looking for an excuse to invade the region. No matter what the case, the Japanese invaded and soon after controlled all major cities within the province and renamed the region Manchukuo. After investigation by a commission from the League of Nations, no consequences were issued, probably due to the major power’s occupation with the great depression and their own nation’s economic and social turmoil.

Soon after in 1937, Japan dropped out of the League of Nations and, in 1937, attacked China. Soon after they began making plans to the Dutch East indies, Philippines, and Southeast Asia, knowing full well that it could potentially mean war with the U.S.A.

A drawing of how the Japanese needed to add more military troops to support their expansionism

This is a political cartoon about Japan’s testing of the league of nation’s power by invading neighbouring countries

This diagram shows how japan expanded its empire, mainly before and during the second world war

This is a narrower version of the expansion, since it shows japan after the peak of its expansionism

Italian Expansionism

This political cartoon is an image of a man colonizing the less developed nation of Abyssinia. The man has a tag attached to his suit that reads Italy. This cartoon is a demonstration of Italy’s pursuit of power and national interest. Italy’s biggest interest during the first World War was to acquire as much land as they could, as it would bring prestige, wealth, and prosperity for Italy. Displaying their superiority over less developed nations such as the nation of Abyssinia would help boost their economy, as this specific nation contained farmland, coal, copper and gold. The man in the cartoon’s statement of “on to the next one” portrays Italy’s goal of acquiring as much land as they could.

Interview with Benito Mussolini

Interviewer: This evening we are here with Mr. Mussolini, the man that lead to the expansion of Italy.Good evening Mr. Mussolini, it is so nice to finally get to meet you in person!

Benito: Thank you.

Interviewer: So, what method of leadership do you use to lead Italy?

Benito: Definitely fascism.

Interviewer: In your opinion, is fascism effective? If so, why?

Benito: Yes, it is very effective; anything I demand is done and I know best.

Interviewer: Interesting. How did World War I impact Italy?

Benito: Well we were negatively affected; we lost 600 000 men, spent millions of dollars which lead to great inflation, decreased trade and unemployment.

Interviewer: Oh that must be terrible; I'm so sorry to hear such tragic news. Changing the topic, what are your thoughts on the Treaty of Versailles?

Benito: We were betrayed! We were promised The Dalmatia coast but it was given to the nation of Yugoslavia.

Interviewer: I can only imagine how disappointing that is.

Benito: It is not disappointing, it is infuriating.

Interviewer: How did you unify Eritrea and Italian Somaliland?

Benito: I tried to conquer Abyssinia again after we were defeated in 1896. I finally won the second time around in 1935.

Interviewer: Why was it in your national interest to colonize Abyssinia?

Benito: Well for their natural resources of course. They have an abundance of coal, iron ore, copper, gold, platinum and farmlands. By doing so, I am able to expand the economy and our empire.

Interviewer: Is the "Scramble for Africa" influenced by economic reasons or national pursuits?

Benito: I think more so economic reasons. The war negatively impacted our economy so by having access to such materials, I have a chance of restoring the economy to the way it was before the war.

Interviewer: What was the foundation of Italy's foreign policy?

Benito: My dream of course! I dream of the day when Africa and the Middle East would once again be colonized by Rome.

Interviewer: All in all, what are your goals for Italy?

Benito: Through expanding our empire, I plan on bringing wealth prestige and prosperity to Italy. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I dream of the day I colonize Africa and the Middle East.

Interviewer: Ambitious. Such a pleasure having you on the show tonight. Good luck with your plans!

Benito: Thank you!

G e r m a n y ’ s E x p a n s i o n i s m

Anschluss

All hail the führer, all hail he who knew,To unite this mother tongue; we salute.Germany was crippled, but rose and grew!We then fought against these cowardly brutes!

The eagle’s wings are spread wide; our hands in air.Get back our land and retain our power,Must get back our wealth, it only seems fair!Reclaim Austria- now is the hour!

We stand against the Treaty of Versailles.Not a foolish fight, but rather our right.Against all odds and armies, we will rise.Wage all your wars, we will come out alright.

Give us our right and avoid all this fuss.Oh how glorious will be this Anschluss!

“Anschluss” Analysis

The sonnet above is written from the perspective of a German citizen under the rule of Adolf Hitler. As we can see, the citizen’s hold a similar view towards justifying the actions of Germany’s expansion efforts. Hitler expresses that he is determined to unite all German-speaking individuals “even if it were harmful” (Hitler, 1971). Although he begins by taking a nationalist perspective, his motifs soon develop to what can initially be mistaken as ultranationalism. It is not in the nation’s best interest to suffer more harm, but it is in Hitler’s best interest to gain land. Although Hitler’s motifs are open to debate, it is undeniable that the gain of

Sudetenland was critical for the economical crisis faced by Germany. Due to the loss of resourceful land and the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany’s economy was hit hard. Thus, although many reasons influenced the need to expand and claim all territories of German-speaking population, the main factor that allowed for such success was the nationalism and support the citizens presented to their nation. There is also a sense of ethnocentrism presented in the pride of the German army when the narrator of the sonnet expresses that the nation, “against all odds and armies, … will rise” (Iqbal, 2016). This is an important factor in considering how the innocent desire to unite all those who share the same mother tongue can spiral into a pure state of ethnocentrism and lead to the governing of the nation’s actions by ultranationalism.

“German Nationalism Expansionism”

The political cartoon above uses satirical irony to poke fun at the propagated German

nationalism. The main expressed purpose for their expansionism was their strong sense of nationalism with not only those within the borders of Germany, but also those who spoke German but resided beyond its borders. Although in this piece alone, the needs to expand that Germany had are not communicated, it rather establishes what subtle factors may have allowed the expansionism to be so successful. The obedience of the citizens who, like “sponge[s]” (Shakespeare, Hamlet, IV. ii. 12) soak up the information and ideas communicated to them by the Führer or one of his representatives, allowed Germany to advance quickly. There was no fear

of an internal rebellion and there is a general consensus amongst the citizens of Germany, even if they do not fully understand what they are agreeing on.