Japan Hits Modernization

1. By: Zach Glaze Japan Hits Modernization

2. Japan Isolation • Early 17th century, Japan shuts itself off from almost all contact with the outside world. • Japan only traded with the Dutch and China mostly because of alliance reasons. • Japan also kept in close contact with Korea for diplomatic purposes. • And Japan’s isolation ended in 1860 with the opening of treaty ports in Japan’s harbors.

3. U.S. Persistence • Early 19th century, American officials along with British, Russian, and French officials occasionally anchored themselves off the coasts of Japan to ask for permission to trade. • In 1853, United States Commodore Matthew Perry sailed 4 ships into Tokyo Harbor. The 4 enormous, black, wooden, steam powered ships with intimidating cannons astounded the Japanese people.

4. Continued… • When Perry arrived, he gave a letter to Japan’s Shogun. The letter was written by the president Millard Fillmore asking politely for free trade rights between Japan and the U.S. but also threatened japan by saying he’d send a bigger and more powerful fleet in one year to receive Japan’s reply. • Japan’s Shogun signed a treaty that opened 2 ports for trade with the U.S. the treaty was known as the treaty of Kanagawa.

5. Imperial Japan • Japan’s modernization pays off when they build war ships and an army of 500,000 well trained soldiers and become the STRONGEST military power in all of Asia by 1890. • Japan gained military, political, and economic strength and became a real force to be reckoned with. • The Japanese minister also assured fair treatment for all foreigners living in Japan. • In 1894, foreign powers accept the new fair treatment policy for the people of their nations living in Japan.

6. China Gets Attacked By Japan • It starts with Japan taking an interest in Korea and forcing Korea to open up 3 ports for Japanese trade. • Then China takes an interest in Korea and made it a trading and military outpost. • China and Japan see the interests that they both have in the country and agree in 1855 not to send troops into Korea. • Korea gets rebellions started against Korea’s King and they ask China for help to put them down.

7. Japan Wins?!? • China breaks the agreement and sends troops into Korea to help put down the rebellions. • Japan gets angry about China’s decision and sends their own troops into Korea after China. • Japan defeats China’s forces, destroys their navy, and casts China’s remaining military existence from Korea. • In 1895, Japan and China sign a peace treaty shortly after the battle in Korea. And Japan gets Taiwan and The Pescadores Islands as it’s first colonies.

8. Japan Takes On A SECOND dominant country, Russia • The defeat of China made Japan a major power in Asia and enemies of Russia. • Japan and Russia went to war for the possession of Manchuria. • Japan agreed to see Russia’s rights in Manchuria as long as they stayed out of Korea. Russia refused and Japan launched a surprise attack on Russian ships. • Japan captured most of Russia’s pacific fleet, destroys their Baltic fleet and drives out Russians from Korea.

9. Japan And Korea • After defeating China and Russia, japan attacked Korea taking control of everything and shutting down newspapers. • In 1907, Korean king gave up all power to Japan. • Took land from Korean farmers and gave it to Japanese settlers. Started teaching Japanese subjects in Korean schools. • Every nation turned their back and ignored what was going on in Korea.