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Period: to
Japan Building Timeline
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Begining
Japan emerged from isolation in the mid 1800s. The United States forced Japan to open its markets to foreigners. That event pushed Japan to strengthen its military and modernize its economy to defend itself. Japan also developed a constitutional government, although the emperor remained a respected figure and the divine leader of the nation. -
Engaging Wars
By engaging in wars against China 1894–1895, Japan expanded its influence in East Asia. It took control of Korea and gained considerable influence over the northern Chinese province of Manchuria, where it stationed soldiers. -
Engaging Battle Russia
Japan engaged Russia in 1904–1905, By the eve of World War I, Japan had developed into the strongest nation in East Asia and one of the most powerful nations in the world. -
Rocking Recessions
A series of recessions rocked Japan's economy. As in Germany, conditions grew worse because of the Great Depression. They are depending on their goods to try to get them out of the this horrifying Depression. -
Manchurian Incident
February 1932, the army had seized all of Manchuria. World leaders and most Japanese expressed shock at what came to be called the Manchurian Incident. -
After Manchurian
China's last emperor from a Manchurian dynasty with Japanese advisors to run the government. In fact, Manchukuo was a puppet state a supposedly independent country under the control of a powerful neighbor. -
Returing to China
In July 1937, Japan resumed its invasion of China. They returned to outside of Beijing turning into a full-scale war. By the end of the month, Japanese forces occupied the major cities of Beijing and Tianjin and threatened the rest of northern China. -
Neutrality Act
The United States and other nations condemned Japan's actions. President Roosevelt spoke out against international aggression, saying that “the epidemic of world lawlessness is spreading” to protect peaceful nations. Meanwhile, Congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts that prevented the United States from becoming involved in foreign conflicts. -
Enemies Become Friends
The war brought two longtime enemies together. After the Burma road, They were locked in a bitter struggle for power, put aside their differences to fight the Japanese. When direct resistance failed, Jiang withdrew his armies to the mountains of remote Sichuan province in the south. -
After the War
Meanwhile, the start of the war in Europe distracted European powers from the defense of their colonies in East Asia. Japanese leaders took this opportunity to expand their influence in the region to its south. In 1940, Prime minister announced a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere to be led by the Japan. Japan declared it would liberate Asia from European colonizers. In reality, Japan needed the region's natural resources, especially oil and rubber, to carry on its war against China.
