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Meiji Constitution declared
Meiji Constitution declared The Meiji Emperor of Japan reigned from 1867 to 1912. This was a period of tremendous reform in Japan, including the abolishment of feudalism, industrial development and the creation of a parliament and modern governing system.
The Meiji Emperor declared Japan's constitution, the first such legal document fo r the country, in 1889. -
Japan occupies Korea
In 1894, major peasant revolt erupted against the Korean government, partly in response to the presence of Japan in the country's affairs. When the Korean government asked China for assistance, Japan declared that Korea had violated the Japan-Korea Treaty, and occupied the capital city with 8000 troops. It installed a government and assassinated its main opposition leader, Empress Myeongseong, in 1895. Japanese interference in Korean affairs led to war with China. -
Tripartite Intervention by Russia, Germany, France
Immediately after the Treaty of Shimonoseki was announced, Russia, Germany and France declared that the treaty had to be altered to accommodate their desires. In this Tripartite Intervention, as it became known, Russia took control of the Liaodong Peninsula and Port Arthur, leasing them from China. Germany would soon take control of part of the Shantung Peninsula from the much-weakened Chinese government. Japan was humiliated and embittered, but forced to submit to the European powers' demands. -
First Sino-Japanese War
1894-1895
Japan's essential takeover of Korea in 1894 and the gain of even more rights there caused the Qing Dynasty to declare war on Japan in August 1894.
The war progressed rapidly for Japan, which had a modernized military, complete with ironclad warships, pontoon (floating) bridges and modern rifles. By October, Chinese troops had been driven out of Korea, and Japan began the invasion of Manchuria, a huge province in northeastern China and ancestral homeland of the Qing Emperors of China. S -
Anglo-Japanese Alliance
Britain was also concerned with Russian expansion in Asia. RUssia was rapidly industrializing, clearly expanding towards China, had gained the major port of Port arthur, and was now building a railway to link the entire Russian Empire with its Asian possessions. Britain had dominated China economically through wars and lopsided treaties throughout the nineteenth century. It had no intention of allowing Russia to expand without a challenge. Unable to afford the expense of a large naval fleet or s -
Russo-Japanese War; Japan takes Shantung Peninsula' Japanese economy grows rapidly(1904-1905)
Tensions between Russia and Japan had increased between 1895 and 1904.
During the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1899 and 1900, approximately 200,00 Russian troops were stationed in Manchuria to protect the railway from Chinese rebels and soliers. This was also done to prevent Japan from stationing troops there and interfering with RUssia's interests in the region. -
First World War; Japan takes Sjantung Peninsula; Japanese economy grows rapidly(1914-1918)
The First World War erupted in 1914 and allowed Japan an Opportunity to demonstrate its strength. This strength was directed at Germany and China, although China was ostensibly an ally of Japan during the war. -
Japan's economy constricts causing hardship for farmers and workers(1919-1923)
In 1920, the economy severely shrank as demand for Japanese exports diminished; the USA and other countries resumed full production after the First World War. This meant that millions were suddenly unemployed, reducing their spending power and unable to send money to their rural relatives. Those who owned farmland responded to the lack of demand for farm goods by reducing farm labour. Since the majority of farmers owned no land or only tiny plots, they were negatively affected by economic downto -
Washington Naval Confrence and treaties limit Japanese Navy(1921-1922)
There was a sharp reduction of armaments at the end of the First World War.
The Five-Power Treaty, also known as the Washington Naaval Convention, did several things:
Large battleship construciton was halted for ten years.
Certain battleships and cruisers, a fast type of warship, were to be scrapped.
For every five capital ships that Britain or the USA were allowed, Japan could have only three, only 60% of the size of either the USA or Britain.
Britain & the USA no fortificaiotns except Hawaii. -
Economic revival through rebuilding Tokyo earthquake damage(1923-1927)
An earthquake and fire destroyed most of Tokyo, Japan's capital, in 1923. The government encourage banks to lend money at low interest for the rebuilding of Tokyo and other cities. There were suddenly more jobs in construction and factories. With more income, workers spent more on food, clothing and luxuries. -
Peace Protection Law allows arrest of communists and others who advocate government changes
The Public Security Preservation Law of 1925 was enacted on 12 May 1925, under the administration of Kato Takaaki, specifically against socialism, communism, and anarchism. It was one of the most significant laws of pre-war Japan. -
Bank failures, economy rapidly constricts
This relative prosperity collapsed again in 1927 with bank failures that resulted from the earlier low-interest loans of 1923. Many who had borrowed to rebuild could not afford to pay the banks. Banks that did not copplapse mostly stopped loaning money, even to businesses that required temporary loans for business operations. The economy rapidly contracted, leading to huge nuumbers of unemployed workers and impoverished farmer labourers. Skilled workers such as mechanics, electricians and carpen -
Army fraction assassinates warlord ruler of Manchuria; acts against government policy
The Japanese Kwantung Army officers who assassinated Zhang hoped to weaken Manchuria administration to such an extent that they would have annex Manchuria outright, a policy not supported by their government. It had the opposite effect, Zhang's successor, his son, soon allied himself with the KMT and brought Manchuria officially back into a newly united China. -
Great Depression constricts economy further
The Great Depression was a major economic downturn for much of the world. It started in 1929 in the USA and soon spread to other countries. Many countries raised trade barriers so that their factories would not compete with those of other states. This meant that Japan, a country that relies on exports, was practically shut off from the USA, its greatest trading partner.
It led to massive unemployment, political instability, hunger and poverty, among other issues, start from 1929 end early 1940s. -
London Naval Conference, limits Japanese navy
Britain, the USA, Japan and other countries met in London in 1930 to review their earlier naval agreements. All three countries were beginning to feel great financial stress as a result of the Great Depression and none desired a renewed, expensive arms race in the form of ships.
Japan's navy, however, was now headed by a more agressive faction than had existed earlier. The naby's leadership insisted that Japan be allowed to have a fleet that was 70% of the tonnage of either the US or British -
1931
Mar: Attempted coup against government by military
Sept: Mukden Incident; invasion of Manchuria by Japan
Oct: Failed coup against government by military
Dec: Lytton Commission formed to investigate Manchurian Crisis for League of Nations -
1932
May: Failed coup against government by military
Oct: Lytton Commission recommends Japan withdraw from Manchurian conquests -
1933
Feb: League of Nations condemns Japan as an aggressor state
Mar: Japan leaves League of Naitons; Chinese province of Jehol captured by Japan
May: Tanggu Truce signed with China, recognizing Japanese conquests.
