Japanese Expansion Timeline

By gpgjerde

  • Meji Constitution

    The Meji Constitution is formed by the Privy Council, and the Emperor declares it as Japan's Constitution.

  • First Sino-Japanese War

    Qing Dynasty declares war on Japan after the growing tension between China and Japan (ex: the ban on Japanese imported goods and Japan's control in Korea).

  • Japan Controls Korea

    Japan declares Korea violated the Japan-Korea Treaty of Amity and invades the capital with 8,000 troops. Japan installs a new government and assassinates the opposition.

  • Treaty of Shimonoseki

    Treaty to end the Sino-Japanese War is signed. It allows for increased Japanese control in China and heavily favors Japan.

  • Anglo-Japanese Alliance

    An alliance is formed between Japan and Britain that ensures military aid if either country is at war with multiple countries.

  • Russo-Japanese War

    A war occurs between Russia and Japan over interests in Manchuria and Korea.

  • Treaty of Portsmouth

    Treaty is signed that ends the Russo-Japanese War. Japan is heavily favored (granted land to Japan) but Japan still feels the treaty is unfair.

  • Shantung Peninsula

    Britain requests military aid from Japan during World War I so Japan takes control of Tsingtao (Shantung Peninsula) and multiple German- controlled colonies in the Pacific.

  • Twenty-One Demands to China

    Japan presents 21 Demands to China, which essentially give Japan an immense amount of control over China. The Demands are shortened to 13, and China is in no position to decline.

  • Paris Peace Conference

    The League of Nations is formed, which includes Japan. The League allows for collective security, and all future disputes are to be handled through negotiation.

  • Five-Power Treaty

    Treaty is signed that hinders Japan's Navy and places limitations on battleship construction/ Pacific fortifications.

  • Nine-Power Treaty

    Treaty is signed that forces Japan to remove its military from the Shantung Peninsula and requires all nations to respect China's boundaries.

  • London Naval Conference

    Due to the Great Depression, many countries call for limitations on Navy. Japan is angered because its navy can only be 69.75% the size of the US/ British fleet.

  • Mukden Incident

    A bomb explodes on the Japanese controlled South Manchurian Railway. Japan uses this as a reason to control Manchuria.

  • Lytton Report

    Report investigating the Mukden Incident. It called for Japan to remove forces from Manchuria back to the railway. Japan left the League of Nations.

  • Chinese Garrison Army

    Japan forms the Chinese Garrison Army to control the Manchurian borders. The Chinese Garrison Army continues to invade China after pro-Japanese newspaper owners are murdered.

  • Doihara Kenji-Qin Dechun Agreement

    China agrees to remove all troops from Manchukuo because China is focused on destroying Communism in China (CCP).

  • Formation of the Second United Front

    The KMT and CCP form an alliance to fight against Japan. They fight together as the National Revolutionary Army.

  • Marco Polo Bridge Incident

    Chinese and Japanese forces fight at the Marco Polo Bridge near Bejing. Japan demands China apologizes.

  • Second Sino-Japanese War

    After China refuses to apologize to Japan at Marco Polo Bridge, both Japan and China send their militaries to fight in northern China. China attacks Japan at Shanghai, and the Second Sino-Japanese War begins.

  • Shanghai Invasion

    Japan and China battle in Shanghai with hundreds of thousands of troops. Japan wins and controls the city.

  • The Nanjing Massacre

    Japan invades and captures Nanjing. Thousands of civilians are raped, tortured, and killed. It is estimated that 300,000 Chinese are killed.

  • French Indochina

    Japan begins to occupy French Indochina after France is defeated by Germany. This allows Japan to cut off Chinese supply lines, but the U.S responds by prohibiting steel and iron to be sold to Japan.

  • Oil Embargo

    The U.S bans the sale of oil to Japan after occupying French Indochina. The U.S is the largest supplier of oil to Japan.

  • Pearl Harbor

    Japan launches an attack on Pearl Harbor, the main U.S Naval base. U.S battleships, cruisers, and aircraft are destroyed. Over 2,400 Americans are killed.