top of page

Imperial Japan after World War I for AP World History

Feb 2, 2024

2 min read

0

9

0

Japan’s takeover of Manchukuo and its formation of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere are illustrative examples of the Unresolved Tensions after World War I topic in Unit 7 of AP World History. You could reference these examples on your AP World History test.



map of the empire of Japan in 1942
Shutterstock/1840466548

Imperial Japan

In the aftermath of World War I, Imperial Japan embarked on a path of aggressive expansionism and imperialistic ambitions, particularly in East Asia. One significant development was Japan’s annexation of Korea in 1910, transforming it into a colony under Japanese rule. This colonization brought about harsh policies of cultural assimilation and economic exploitation, leading to widespread resistance and resentment among the Korean population.


Annexation of Korea (1910)

After the signing of the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty in 1910, Korea became a colony under Japanese rule. The annexation marked the culmination of Japan’s gradual encroachment on Korean sovereignty, which had begun with the signing of the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1905. Under Japanese rule, Korea experienced cultural suppression, forced assimilation, and economic exploitation. Korean language and culture were suppressed in favor of Japanese, and Koreans were subjected to harsh labor conditions in industries such as mining and agriculture. Resistance to Japanese rule emerged in various forms, including protests, uprisings, and underground nationalist movements.


Establishment of Manchukuo (1932) During the Mukden Incident of 1931, Japanese military personnel staged an attack on a railway near Mukden (now Shenyang), falsely attributing it to Chinese saboteurs. In response, Japan seized control of Manchuria, a resource-rich region in Northeast China. In 1932, Japan established the puppet state of Manchukuo, with former Qing dynasty emperor Puyi installed as its nominal ruler. Manchukuo served as a buffer zone between Japan and the Soviet Union and provided Japan with access to vital resources such as coal, iron, and soybeans. The establishment of Manchukuo led to international condemnation and strained Japan’s relations with the League of Nations, eventually leading to its withdrawal from the organization in 1933.


Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

Coined by Japanese leaders in the 1930s, the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere was a propaganda concept aimed at legitimizing Japan’s imperialistic expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. Presented as a vision of pan-Asian cooperation and liberation from Western colonialism, the Co-Prosperity Sphere sought to justify Japan’s military conquests and colonization efforts in neighboring territories. However, in reality, the Co-Prosperity Sphere served as a pretext for Japan’s aggressive expansionism and subjugation of other Asian nations. Japan’s invasion of China, the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and other territories during World War II was carried out under the banner of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.


These actions collectively exemplify Japan’s aggressive pursuit of imperialistic ambitions in the years following World War I. They not only underscore Japan’s quest for regional dominance but also highlight the devastating impact of Japanese colonialism and militarism on the peoples and nations of East Asia.

Do you want to watch a video about Imperial Japan?





Unit 7: Global Conflict

AP World History


imperial Japan after World War I for AP World History

#APWorldHistory

Feb 2, 2024

2 min read

0

9

0

Comments

Share Your ThoughtsBe the first to write a comment.
bottom of page