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Beginning of Meiji Restoration
This marks the beginning of Meiji Restoration. New leaders work hard to industrialize Japan. From this period to in the middle of the 20th century, Japan created an enormous empire stretching from Alaska to Singapore. -
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Meiji Empire
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Japan attacks Korea
The army and navy meet goal of purchasing/manufacturing European-style weapons. Because of new Euro- American technology in hand, Japan had become a very strong military power. Using this power, Japan went straight into attacking Korea and taking over their territory. They sent troops to fight the Korean national army and the Qing troops and left with a victory. -
Japanese and English alliance
Japan creates and alliance with England. This was part of a revenge plan against Russia. Decades earlier Russia (with help from Germany and France) pressured Japan to return some Chinese land. Eventually, in the war, Japan won and gained control over Korea and southern Manchuria. -
End of Meiji Empire
The Meiji Empire dies out. Japan feels a terrible sense of loss. This was because of Tenno and his representation of Japan's past international success and stature to them. This also marked the fall of the Qing Empire. -
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Japanese leaders use nationalism
Using nationalism to their advantage, Japanese leaders relied on loyalty to their government. These leaders continued Japan’s quest for wealth and power under the Taisho Emperor who was weak and unstable. Some politicians formed parties to participate in elections to form the national assembly. -
Japan wins land from China
Japan became a strong East Asian power which allowed them to demand the Chinese government to turn over much of the past Qing Empire’s power to Japan. The Chinese military leader had no choice, but to agree since Japan was so superior. Although Japan was forcing through China, many Chinese people joined nationalist groups to create movements of their own. -
End of WWI
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Period: to
Tojo becomes military attache
Tojo Hideki, one of the Japanese prime ministers, became the military attaché in Germany and Switzerland. This means he was basically the ambassador. This period was known to help Tojo come and lead Japan in later years. -
Tojo becomes a commander in the military
Tojo becomes Commander of the 1st Infantry Regiment of Japan. He became involved in the complex factional politics of the times. He sided with the tõseiha faction that promoted technological variation in the military. -
Economy crashes
Economy crashes greatly from the Depression; foreign trade declining. Their cash supply was low and millions of people were unemployed. Japan lost 50% of overseas sales, domestic prices crashed, and Japanese incomes fell 30% on average. -
Political assasinations
Young men in civilian organizations expressed their nationalist passions through assignations. Including Prime minister, Inukai, Prime Minister Hamaguchi. -
Anti-Soviet alliance signed with Hitler
Japan signed an anti-Soviet alliance with Hitler’s Germany. Japanese diplomats saw their best advantage in squeezing the Soviet Union. They planned to prevent British, American and Soviet meddling in the East and Southeast Asia. -
Civilian government attacked
Japan fell into an Ultra-nationalism and believed that they were inherently superior. A week later Army First Division stationed in Tokyo attacked the heart of the civilian government -
War declared with China
A local clash between Chinese and Japanese troops near Beijing gave Japanese their best chance to start a full-scale war. Japan's generals decided to attack China before it could become a sting unified nation. -
US threatens to cut Japan off from their exports
President Roosevelt refused to allow Japan to purchase American scrap metal. The US threatened to cut off exports of oil. Without oil, Japan could not operate its fleet or move its armed vehicles, could not fuel the huge merchant marine. So the Japanese were trapped. -
Japan becomes an Axis of Power
Tripartite pact with Germany and Italy that made Japan an Axis power. Tojo who quickly took control of Japan's military foreign policy. (against the Allies in WWII) -
Tojo becomes Prime Minister
Tojo appointed Prime Minister of Japan and was now a virtual dictator. He quickly promised a “New order in Asia.” He was also in support of the bombing of Pearl Harbor despite the misgivings of several of his generals. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Japanese carrier-based aircraft attacked Pearl Harbor. The Japanese couldn’t survive to continue the embargo of oil, so they had attack southward and take the rich Brunei oilfields from the Dutch. They destroyed much of the US fleet anchored there. -
Tojo resigns
Tojo resigns as Prime Minister. The Japanese army suffering under his rule. They were forced to surrender. -
Saipan falls
Saipan falls to US and Tojo’s government collapses. He was unable to control the determination of the US. It began beating back the Japanese in the South Pacific. -
Tojo's death
This date marks Tojo's death after he had tried and failed to commit suicide by shooting himself with an American .38 pistol. He was saved by an American physician who have him a blood transfusion. He was convicted of war crimes by an international tribunal and was hung.
