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Miltary becoming too strong and independent

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Rise of radical voices led to conserative/natioanlist backlash

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Partisanship & corruption

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Greater plurality of voices

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Larger franchise

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Rise of political parties

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Big idea: Greater voice for the people (Don't add examples. The notes below are the pargraphs and need examples)

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Social:

poverty still existed in the rural areas especially among the farmers

Remained a very much a male-dominated society

Democratic individuals increasingly disillusioned

Political:

Abuse of office: financial scandals

Pork barrel politics by Hara

Economic:

the army and the military began to claim more and more of the national budget

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Power still held by elites (genro, Zaibatsu, etc.)

political parties were weak

suppression by the Peace Preservation Law

Military independence

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Rise of political parties

(Rikkenseiyukai, Kenseikai)

Increased trend of party cabinet

Universal Male Suffrage (1925)

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・Development of party politics

・Passage of universal suffrage law

・Diffusion of democratic and liberal ideas

・Social movements

#14 Y.N

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Social:

Increase in literacy rate

Male Suffrage

Political:

Democratic elections

Economic:

Increased foreign trade

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・Corruption and partisan politics

・Security laws passed at the same time as universal elections

・Increased influence of the Emperor and the military

#14 Y.N

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What were the failures of Taisho democracy?

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・Military Influence

Military still held veto power (e.g., Army/Navy ministers required in cabinets)

・Privileged Elites

Genrō (elder statesmen) and zaibatsu (business elites) held major power

・Limited Voting Rights

Universal manhood suffrage only granted in 1925

・Political Violence

Assassinations, suppression of leftist groups (Peace Preservation Law, 1925)

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・Political Reform

Rise of party politics (e.g., Seiyūkai & Kenseikai)

・Civil Society

Growth of democratic movements (e.g., Taisho Political Crisis, Universal Manhood Suffrage Movement)

・Freedom of Press & Ideas

More newspapers, magazines, and political expression

・Education & Literacy

Compulsory education improved literacy rates

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Formation of Communist Parties

Destabilized politics due to public participation (eg. resignation of Katsura Taro) → likely that other fields will be unstable as well

The military had great authority, causing the Manchurian Invasion in 1931

Suppressed oppositions by the Peace Preservation Law in 1925

Education promoted militarism and nationalism

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Universal Male suffrage

Shigehara Diplomacy→ Japan wants to maintain a good relationship with Western countries while benefiting economically from trade and diplomacy.

International agreements

Growth of social movements → Industrialization created an urban working class and tenant farmers who demanded better rights and living conditions.

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The military still had special privileges, with only military leaders able to serve as ministers of the army or navy→ gaining veto power over cabinets.

Political parties relied on support from Zaibatsu and often were involved in bribery and corruption.

Economic problems from the great depression

Peace Prservation Law→ The government feared socialism and communism, so it passed laws to suppress critics the left-wing groups

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The military remained independent and powerful

Political corruption and weak party leadership

Inflation

Rural poverty

Collapse of the democracy→rise of militarism

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Rise of political parties

Greater public participation in politics

Cultural openness and modernisation

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What were the successes of Taisho democracy?

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Students will collaboratively brainstorm, discuss, and organize their thoughts regarding the successes and failures of Taisho Democracy.