The Japanese expansionism in Asia and the Italian expansion in Africa: A comparative study of the early Italian and Japanese colonialism

Nikolaos Mavropoulos Dissertation Abstract The Japanese expansionism in Asia and the Italian expansion in Africa: A comparative study of the early Italian and Japanese colonialism (1868-1901) Modern Japan and Italy were formed in the same period, the period of the New Imperialism, a time of diplomatic mistrust, protectionism, frenetic colonial and economic rivalry and of militarism, when the Great Powers (British Empire, the French Third Republic and the Russian Empire) had already established their hegemonic position in the world. Japan and Italy at the end of the 19th century were in need of stability, internal and external security, economic reorganization and immediate settlement of the economic and social problems arising from the rapid increase of their population. Furthermore, seeking to compete on an equal footing with the Powers of the era, claiming a place in the sun, they considered modernization and rapid industrialization as the only way forward. These facts as well as the policy of expansion that they partly adopted for the resolution of these issues are unique and particular. The phenomenon of the early Japanese colonialism in relation to that of the other states is intensely reminiscent, as to the origins and aspirations, of the corresponding Italian one. Its collation with that of Britain's or Germany's in the period under examination would be inappropriate. Britain even though also an island state was technologically developed, robust, having the most powerful fleet and the most extensive empire in the world. The German Empire although it too was formed late (1871) and bedevilled like Japan by the problem of overpopulation did not share the same concerns about securing its independence as it was the superpower of the era, industrialized and militarily all-powerful the very next day after its unification. Securing new markets, meeting industrial needs for raw materials, the quest for lebensraum and arable land constituted common elements for all the imperialist Powers. Besides, the human inclination towards imperialism is self-evident. Men, acting individually or collectively, have always sought to establish dominance over others, where possible. So, what are the particularities that constitute the Japanese and the Italian colonial project distinctive? Both states fearing their exclusion from the markets, their pushing aside from the international developments, their marginalisation and their conversion into supernumeraries in the era of the chaotic imperialist struggle, envisaged in their own colonial expansion their strategic security and survival. They both viewed military victories and territorial expansion as the shortest way to obtain a place in the sun. Thus, even if they had not achieved the degree of industrialization and of economic development of the more powerful states, still being weak and agrarian, they attempted to ensure their position in the world through the colonies and the trade. The problem of their economic backwardness and military weakness was causing insecurity and stress even when they were achieving successes. The expansion and the establishment of spheres of influence constituted a necessity for the survival of the nation. The possession of colonies would present to the world a powerful, prestigious and modern Italy and Japan, arbiters of developments and, in addition, it would contribute to the stability of the international system. So they participated in the colonial struggle imitating the imperialist powers. Contrary to Lenin's theory about the unbreakable relationship between imperialism and the export of surplus capital, in the dawn of their colonial adventure, Japan and Italy had difficulty in luring domestic capital into colonial investment since they had a shortage not an excess of private capital. Despite their terrible fiscal position however, immediately after their formation, they inaugurated a policy of expansion. It was then presumed by the respective ruling classes that the participation in the colonial game would be panacea, it would, as if by magic, form the lever that would topple and nullify their disadvantageous geopolitical position abroad and would resolve the economic and social problems of vital importance that beset them in the interior. This consideration, this common perception, these convictions which were shared by politicians, merchants, industrialists and military simultaneously in two regions of the world so remote and alienated between them provoke the interest of the scholar. Was this colonialism a simple "reaction" to the progress of the rest of the imperialists? In the manifestation of the Japanese and Italian imperialism up until 1901 what are the underlying characteristics, what is the role of the monarchy and of the religion or of social Darwinism, what is the impact on the conquered peoples? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the integration to the Japanese Empire of peoples racially related to it? What is the ideology, the theoretical pillars which were nurtured at the end of the 19th century and on which they supported the background of their subsequent colonial expansion? What are the particular elements, the impulses, the ideologies that the early Italian and the early Japanese colonialism shared, elements which even pushed them into fighting for similar goals in Beijing during the Boxer rebellion (1899-1901)? This research responds to these demanding questions as well as traces the origins of the two states', mutatis mutandis, similar and common historical evolution up until the middle of the 20th century by researching the relative literature and archives.