Japan--a rising state (lecture on Japan)

By 1930, Japan was a rising industrial power that threatened the global BOP. A power that had once had a nice, neat constitution that was overthrown by the military. Japan, by all definitions, was a military state with a loose democracy.

By 1930, Japan knew that it would never be accepted by the West. Here are the examples that led Japanese leaders to the conclusion:

1. anti-Japanese immigration laws--even though Japan had industrialized when the West told it to, the US and British did not allow "those type" of people to immigrate. Each state passed legislation that barred immigration to the US and Australia, leaving a growing population no where to go.
2. Open Door Policy--Japan believed that the US had its sphere of influence and the British had their own colonies, why could the Japanese not have there own? Perception--this was racist against Japan....Reality--the US was attempting to prevent a war over China (don't forget it was racist against Chinese)
   
3. Portsmouth Conference, 1905--Teddy Roosevelt stated that the world must beware of the "little yellow men"--obviously a racial slur by a Western leader
4. 1920-30's--The League of Nations, when it was doing necessary work to prevent a global disaster economically refused to spend time on a resolution that stated the League of Nations "recognized" racial equality. Reality--the League thought it was redundant since Japan, China, and other non-European states were members, hence equal already. Perception--Japanese thought it was more proof that the West were racists.
5. The Washington Naval Conference--1921--The US, Great Britain, France, Italy and Japan make a pledge to prevent a naval race. The ration in which the US, British and Japan had was 5:5:3....For every 5 ships the US and Britain had the Japanese could have 3. Reality--the Japanese could still produce ships because it was no where near that ratio...Reality--the powers were just attempting to stop the naval race... Perception--again the West refused to look at the equality of the Japanese (don't forget the Italians and French could only have 1.67 ships in this ration)

By 1932, Japan felt that it had no other option except war. It could not ease its population by emigration and China was an "open door" limiting the Japanese to resources. Therefore, Japan chose an invasion of Manchuria, in opposition to the Open Door Policy, and begin World War II n 1932.....By the way, the League of Nations did nothing to prevent this nor did the US or Britain attempt to quash this at the beginning.....