Wednesday, May 15, 2013

What European ideology was Tojo, Japanese leader WWII, part of (fascisim, communism, reactionism or conservatism)?

I would argue that Tojo was the Japanese embodiment of the
fascism that swept through Europe.  Tojo held some key similarities with fascist
ideology that was so prevalent in Europe.  On one hand, Tojo believed that the key to a
nation's progress resided in military enhancement.  Tojo had no problem advocating the
military as the primary means in which Japanese political identity would be advanced. 
This is similar to the military aggressiveness of nations like Italy and Germany and the
fascist governments that pursued such an agenda in these nations.  Additionally, similar
to the fascist governments of Europe, Tojo became an embodiment of his nation.  As of
October 1941, Tojo was the Japanese government, taking over "the job of prime minister,
while remaining head of the departments of war, education, commerce, and industry." 
This is very similar to Mussolini and Hitler, fascist leaders who strongly forged the
link between themselves and the totality of government and nation.  Finally, in his
acceptance of the tripartite alliance between Germany and Italy in order to secure
Japanese world power, Tojo probably made his strongest statement of fascist
ideology.

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