Pre-War Japanese Aggression

Definition

This refers to the military and political actions taken by Japan before World War II, including invasions of China and other Asian territories.

Analogy

Think of pre-war Japanese aggression like a school bully who keeps taking other kids' lunch money. The more they get away with it, the bolder they become. In this case, Japan was the bully, and the countries in Asia were the victims whose resources (lunch money) were being seized.

Related terms

Manchurian Incident: This was an event staged by Japanese military personnel as a pretext for invading northeastern China in 1931.

Second Sino-Japanese War: A major war between China and Japan that happened from 1937 to 1945. It started with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident and ended with Japan's surrender at the end of World War II.

Imperialism: A policy or ideology by which a nation extends its power by acquiring territory, exploiting it economically, or establishing control over its political system.