Checkpoint Questions
1. How did democratic participation in Japan both grow and stagnate in the 1920s?
Although suffrage was granted to all males, it was not granted to women. Furthermore, despite more of the population being able to vote, the citizens' political parties were greatly manipulated and controlled by powerful business leaders called the zaibatsu. Therefore, although democracy increased in name, power still was in the hands of the elite few.
2. How did the Great Depression lead to calls for renewed expansion?
The Great Depression led to calls for renewed expansion due to the rise of ultranationalism, or extreme nationalism. From the economic failure in Japan, ultranationalists demanded for expansion further into Asia. Gaining an empire overseas could provide the materials needed to rebuild the economy after the Great Depression.
3. What changes did militarists make when they came to power?
When militarists came to power, they revived old traditions and values such as a cult around the emperor, Hirohito. Though strong support in a single emperor was increased for the public, the emperor actually held very little power. Militarists also expanded into China, beginning an imperialist war whilst China was in the middle of civil war.
Although suffrage was granted to all males, it was not granted to women. Furthermore, despite more of the population being able to vote, the citizens' political parties were greatly manipulated and controlled by powerful business leaders called the zaibatsu. Therefore, although democracy increased in name, power still was in the hands of the elite few.
2. How did the Great Depression lead to calls for renewed expansion?
The Great Depression led to calls for renewed expansion due to the rise of ultranationalism, or extreme nationalism. From the economic failure in Japan, ultranationalists demanded for expansion further into Asia. Gaining an empire overseas could provide the materials needed to rebuild the economy after the Great Depression.
3. What changes did militarists make when they came to power?
When militarists came to power, they revived old traditions and values such as a cult around the emperor, Hirohito. Though strong support in a single emperor was increased for the public, the emperor actually held very little power. Militarists also expanded into China, beginning an imperialist war whilst China was in the middle of civil war.