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Japan-Korea Treaty
Korea was no longer a tributary state of China, Japanese citizens were not able to be tried in Korean courts, and Japan was allowed control of 3 Korean ports for export use. -
Meiji Constitution Enacted
A new form of the ultranationalist government that made reforms to the older version of government which served to protect Japan from foreign domination. These reforms included recognizing the emperor as the divine head of state and established the privy council, where all members had to agree on laws in order to enact them. -
First Sino-Japanese War
Lasting until 1895, the First Sino-Japanese War was fought with the Qing Dynasty of China, mostly over Japan's aggressive expansionism in Manchuria and Korea as well as bans on Japanese items in Korea. -
Anglo-Japanese Alliance
UK and Japan concerned with Russian expansion and formed an alliance to aid each other militarily if one was at war with two or more countries. The alliance severed diplomatic relations with Russia and increased tensions between Russia and Japan -
Russo-Japanese War
Russians stationed troops by the railway they were building in Manchuria to protect it from the Boxer Rebellion but did not withdraw them afterward. Japan felt its interests were being threatened by Russia's presence. -
Port Arthur Surrendered
The Russian Navy stationed in Port Arthur on the Tsishuma Peninsula was defeated by the Japanese Navy, which showed Japan's prowess and dominance in combat and expansionism. -
Japan Enters WWI
Japan (being allies with Britain) realized its importance in the Pacific theatre of WWI and seized control of various German-controlled Pacific islands, including Palau and the Marshall Islands. Japan will fight in the war until its conclusion in 1918. -
Manchuria Declares Independence
Zhang Zuolin (Chinese warlord) sought independence for the Manchuria region. He still allowed Japan to build railways there but was later assassinated by a Japanese Kwantung Army officer. -
Great Depression
The Great Depression affected the majority of the world, including Japan. The Gross national product decreased by 20% and stocks lost nearly half their value. People were homeless and jobless and the government did not work for them. -
Mukden Incident
Japan blamed China for blowing up a railway (most likely Japanese action), which gave Japan an excuse to expand more aggressively into Manchuria and occupy it. -
Release of the Lytton Report
An official League of Nations report which stated that Japan had invaded Manchuria and made it a Japanese state not out of the interest of the Manchurians living there but because of its own interest. It identified Japan as the aggressor state. -
Japan Leaves the League of Nations
The League of Nations had identified Japan as an aggressor state, and Japan was so enraged that it promptly walked out of the League without any consequences. -
Japan Expands into China
Japan forms the China Garrison Army to operate outside of Manchuria and demanded China withdraw from the Heibi Province or face invasion after the assassinations of 2 pro-Japanese writers. Under the Umezu-He Agreement in 1935, a demilitarized zone was created in most of Northern China and created the puppet government of the East Hebei Autonomous Council. China was much more interested in fighting communism in its borders. -
12-Year Plan Introduced
Japan put its 12-Year Plan into place which served to modernize and expand its armed forces. Its military expenses increased as the nation continued to expand, creating resource and labor shortages, which would need to be met through expanding to more territories. -
Comintern Pact
Pact made between Germany and Japan to openly oppose communism, which put pressure on Germany supplying China and the Soviet Union. This pact was arguably violated by Germany when in 1939, the Nazi-Soviet Pact was made between Germany and the Soviet Union. -
Marco Polo Bridge Incident
Really kicks off the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War. Shots fired near Japanese troops on the bridge (most likely Chinese shots). Japan demands an apology and China refuses which results in the bombing of Shanghai. -
Second Sino-Japanese War
There had been no official cessation of the invasion of Manchuria. In 1937, a larger war erupted between the two nations. It lasts until 1945. During this time, Japan seeks to control Shanghai, China's largest city, and control the nation's infrastructure and railways for supplies. During this time, the Massacre at Nanjing occurs, which prompts international outcry. -
Tripartite Pact
Established a formal alliance between Japan, Germany, and Italy -
Japanese Occupation of French Indochina
Japan occupied French Indochina (what is today Vietnam) for more resources and to seize French territory. In response, the United States banned the sale of oil to Japan, froze Japanese assets in the US, and gave $240 million to China (the UK followed suit). -
Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor and Attacks Other Pacific Islands
On this day, Japan launched a surprise attack on the US Naval Pacific fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor, destroying many ships and lives in the process. On that day, they also attacked other islands, such as the Philippines, Wake Island, Guam, and Singapore. Shortly afterward, the US declared war on Japan
