Japanese Imperialism 1894-1945

by William Gerald Beasley

Studying the development, expansion, and eventual collapse of Japanese imperialism from the Sino-Japanese war of 1894-1895 through 1945, Beasley here discusses the dynamic relationship between a successful industrial economy and the building of an empire.

Genres: Japan, History, Nonfiction, China, Academic

294 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 1987

About the author

William Gerald Beasley was Emeritus Professor of the History of the Far East at the School of Oriental and African Studies of London University.

Reviews

[AC · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I said in one of my comments, this is not an easy book -- it is academic and overly detailed, with lots of minutiae devoted to negotiations and treaties that were unsuccessful (without issue) or of transitory interest. That said, even these details are often instructive and one can skim some pages.

The book, however, contains brief -- and clear -- discussions of: the ideological aims and background of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere; of Japanese ultra-nationalism; of the nature of Japanese involvement in Korea, China, Taiwan, the Advance to the South (ninshan) -- and explains clearly how their drive for security and resources led to the United States Embargo, which in turn lead to Pearl. It all makes sense.

At the same time, there is none of the glorification of japanese fascism that you find on every page of Toland -- a book which really horrified me, when I attempted to read it several years ago.

The book can be highly recommended for those with any interest in understanding 20th century Japanese history -- provided you have mastered the art of judicious skimming. I often found I had to go back and read sections I had skimmed -- which on the second round fascinated me -- but that's the nature of the beast.

[Martin Daenke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fairly good overview of the topic. I feel like it would have been useful if there was a greater discussion of the immediate causes and course of Japan’s wars during the period (as these tended to be skimmed to focus on internal disputes about what should be acquired in the peace settlement) and also a greater discussion of Japan’s internal politics. Nevertheless, it was still a fairly clear and useful overview of Japanese imperialism.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely in a class of its own with its treatment of Japanese imperialism. would have preferred the concluding remarks to dwell more on what the nature of Japanese imperialism elucidated in terms of the general theories of imperialism that the author set out at the beginning.

[Enrique Mora Roás · Rating 4 out of 5]

La capacidad de condensar esta cantidad de información es admirable. Reconociendo la necesidad de un acercamiento multi-focal al problema del Imperialismo, Beasley hace un trabajo maravilloso explicando las diferentes raíces y el componente histórico y dinámico del expansionismo. Hay un énfasis claro en cuestiones económicas, pero no renuncia a expresar lo limitado de estas, reconociendo la necesidad de análisis complejos y menos maniqueistas.

[Igor Mello · Rating 4 out of 5]

É um livro bom, e como exposto, fornece uma visão ampla sobre os aspectos do imperialismo japonês de forma satisfatória. Obviamente, como declara o próprio autor, não tem uma visão crítica do imperialismo japonês ou de outros "imperialismos", mas ainda sim, uma ótima análise.

[Liu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dry and academic, but an excellent brief overview of the evolving geopolitical contexts and material interests that shaped the development of Japanese imperialism.

[Zoe Collin]

Read for class, read it again

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit academic, but for anyone interested in the specifics of foreign policy (treaty negotiations, etc) this is a great source. Lots of information for students.

[Khanh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book.