Japan During the Age of Imperialism

1. Japan During the Age of Imperialism From Victim to Imperial Power

2. Geographic Review • Japan is a mountainous archipelago-chain of islands in the pacific ocean. • Located East of Korea and China

3. Setting the Stage • In the early 1600’s, Japan shut itself off from the world (isolationism) • Under the rule of the Tokugawa shoguns, Japan remained strictly ordered by following a system of feudalism (strict class distinctions and land ownership) • Samurai warriors kept Japan protected and fairly peaceful for two centuries.

4. Demand for Trade • Other than occasional contact/trade with Korea and China, Japan had little to no contact with other nations before the 1800’s. • By the early 1800’s, many western nations tried to convince the Japanese to open their ports to trade. • Much like ethnocentric and isolationist neighbor China, Japan often refused to receive these nations.

5. End to Isolation • In 1853, American president Millard Fillmore sent naval Commodore Mathew Perry to deliver a letter to the Japanese government • This letter urged Japan to open up its ports to western trade or be destroyed in one years time.

6. Treaty of Kanagawa-1854 • The Japanese reply came in the form of the Treaty of Kanagawa. • Fearing the military and technological superiority of the United States, Japan agreed to open 2 ports for the U.S. to take on supplies. • Once this door was opened, many other European nations followed to get a piece of the action.

7. Meiji Reform and Modernization • When unpopular Tokugawa Shogun stepped down in 1867, the young Emperor Mutsuhito brought a new sense of national pride to Japan. • Mutsuhito felt that the best way to counter Western influence in Japan was to quickly modernize, industrialize, and militarize. • This began the Meiji Era (1867-1913) (Meiji = “enlightened rule” )

8. Little Nation, Big Power • Japan modeled their navy after Great Britain, their government and army after Germany, and their educational system after the United States. • In a matter of only 30 years, Japan transformed from a weak isolatednation to a powerful, industrial nation!

9. Quick Acrostic/Mnemonic Device • M = Meiji • E  = Ends • I  =  Isolation • J  = Japan • I  =  Industrializes

10. From Nationalism to Imperialism • Feeling proud of their new strength, Japan's feelings of Nationalism grew. • Japan looked to compete with Europe and build their own imperial empire.

11. Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) • With their new and improved military, Japan looked to defeat their biggest Asian competitors: China • The Sino-Japanese war was fought between Japan and China for trading rights in Korea. • Lasted just a few months, Japan drove China out of Korea, destroyed the Chinese navy, and gained a foothold in Manchuria.

12. Russo-Japanese War (1904) • War fought between Japan and Russia for control over Manchuria, a region rich in resources in North Eastern China (borders Korea). • Ends in an embarrassing defeat for the much larger Russians!

13. Russo-Japanese War Cartoons

14. Japanese Annexation of Korea • After defeating Russia, Japan attacked Korea with a vengeance. • In 1905 Korea became a Japanese protectorate • By 1910, Japan took over, or annexed all of Korea. • Japan then set out on a brutal campaign to destroy Korean culture, and take over their businesses and industries.

15. International Reaction • Witnessing the brutal nature of Japan’s conquests, European nations began to fear Japan’s growing power and harsh, repressive rule over Korea. • However, many of these nations failed to act due to their own imperialistic goals and actions (fear of being hypocritical)

16. Japan Between the World Wars • Poor economic times caused by the Great Depression led people in Japan to blame their Government for a lack of action and aid. • During this time, Military leaders gained support and began to run Japan behind Emperor Hirohito as figure head. • Nationalism grew and so did their empire! Japan’s military leaders looked to solve their economic problems through expansion and imperialism.

17. Japan Invades Manchuria • After withdrawing from the League of Nations in 1933, Japan proceeded to Invade Northern China. • Despite their superior numbers, China’s army was no match for Japan’s forces who were better trained. • Northern cities such as Beijing and Nanjing were seized and tens of thousands of captured soldiers, woman, and children were slaughtered. • These brutal acts were known as the “Rape of Nanjing” (1937-1938)

18. Images of the “Rape of Nanjing”

19. End to Imperialism • Japan continued their harsh expansion through WWII. • Following the dropping of the Atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, Japan finally surrendered to the U.S. (V-J Day) • This marked the end of Japanese Imperialism and the start of American occupation. • Japan was demilitarized according to their new constitution.