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Commodore Perry arrives in Japan
Before Perry came, the japanese had just started to grow in nationalism due to: the desire for equality with western powers, the belief japan was Asias leader, the need to obtain raw materials and securing markets in east Asia, the need for strategic security, and the growing popular support for militarism and expansionism. Perry arrived at the shores of Japan with several US steamships, including the "Black ships," which intimidated Japan into agreeing to trade with the US. -
the treaty of Kanagawa is signed between US and Japan
it was the first treaty signed by Japan. The treaty allowed U.S ships to admit at the ports of Shimoda and Hakodate and to accept a U.S. consul at Shimoda. -
Japan modernizing
Due to the treaty, all political power was returned to the emperor, known as the Meiji. He began modernizing Japan, establishing a limited democracy, and dismantling feudal systems. He promoted national unity and patriotism (a rich country, a strong military). He also made a bunch of reforms (in industry, education, fashion, and military). The military adapted German tactics and a new navy (with help from Britain) -
Period: to
Sino-Japanese war (first one)
Japan defeated China, and becomes a world power with an empire. -
The treaty of Shimonoseki
This gave Pescadores Islands, Formosa and Liaodong Peninsula to Japan, recognized korean independence, and obliged China to pay a large indemnity to open additional ports and to negotiate a commercial treaty -
The triple invention
Germany, Russia, and France were concerned with Japan's growing power. They forced Japan to give up Liaodong Peninsula (to Russia), Germany secured control of the Shandong province, and France and Great Britain took advantage of the weakened cChinato seize port cities and expand their influences. This encouraged the growth of nationalism and militarism in Japan, which was the backbone for Japan getting a stronger military. -
The Anglo-Japanese alliance
Strengthed Japan as it signed the alliance with Great Britain -
Period: to
The Russo-Japanese war
Caused by both interest in Korea and Manchuria, Japan surprise attacked Russia. Manchuria was important for Japan as it was the closest area of China. It was agriculturally rich with mineral resources, which meant more opportunities for Japan to become the best trader in the world. Japan won the war and gained control over Korea and much of South Manchuria. Some of Asia saw Japan as a role model for gaining power over the West. -
The treaty of Portsmouth Between Russia and Japan
End of war. some Japanese were disappointed in this treaty as they had expected more. Japan saw itself as the leader of Asia once more, and the cost of the war impacted Japan. som people wanted a stronger military to hold on to new gained territories, but the voice of the less ambitious foreign policy won -
Japan seizes german possesions + land
WWI gave Japan a chance to spread even further in Asia. It demanded German colonial territory in China-declared war on Germany when ignored. It seized Germany's military bases on the Shandong Peninsula in the north of China -
Twenty one Demands (TOD)
Allies were distracted, and Japan took the opportunity, TOD required China to let the Japanese stay in Shandong and to grant more control over Manchuria. China was also not to lease any more coastal territory to any powers and only accept political/financial aid from Japan. USA + UK got angered by this and some in the Japanese government as well, causing it to be modified. Japan saw great opp. and became more self-sufficient now that Asian market + Allies needed someone to supply goods -
Period: to
Japan assist he white in the russion Bolshevik revolution against the Red army
Japan sent 70000 men to support, however they withdrew in 1922 after defeat. This created mistrust between japan and the US/UK. in japan people attacked the government because of the cost of intervention in Russia. This took a hit on Japan both in image, government and military -
The league of nations is created
consisted of the assembly of the league (representatives of all member states) + the council of the league (the major powers britain, frace, italy, and japan + mfour other members elected by the assembly) The idea/ concept was to create collective security, meaning that states would take joint action to deal with agression. in addition various treaties were reinforced -
Change in foreign policy during the 1920s to internationalism
aim: to develop japans eonomy via a peaceful means=keeing good relations with US, a key trading partner and continuing to seek economic advancement in China -
The washington conference - signing the Four-Power Treaty
The four-power treaty was between US, UK, France and Japan. Japan agreed to return the german concessions in Shandong. also including the Five-power treaty (inc. italy) restricted Japans imperial navy and they had to abandon its plans for expansion which made them mad -
Japan moves towards democracy as well as internationalism 1920s
The aisho democracy came from the latter years of emperor Taisho, who made certain reforms. One of them which changed that the position of prime minister was to be given to the leader of the two main political parties. (so now gaining political power came from their experience rather than them being members of the elite. 1925 all adult males could vote -
Economic crisis
technically it started slwoly in 1921 however Japan took a big hit during the great depression. The cost of the wars, cheap imported rice made it hard for farmers and workers -
Manchuria crisis
the japanese army Kwantung, bombs a railroad (japanese owned) in manchuria, blames it on the Chinese, then continues to push further into the country side of Manchuria despite orders to pull back. This forces USA and UK to force Japan out of the league of nations -- this leads to Japan's isolation in which military and politicians fight against the Washington treaty system. -
Bombing of Shanghai
Japan has full control of manchuria (which is now Manchuko) but fighting breaks out between China and Japan in shanghai, and Japan ends up bombing Shanghai and forcing the Chinese troops out -
The lytton commission's report published
it stated the following: Japan did in fact have special interest in manchuria but the use of the force by the army, and its takeover of the whole of manchuria, was unacceptable and unjustified. Japan should give up the territory and withdraw its forces. Manchukuo was not an independent state and could not be recognized as such. Manchuria should become independent but under Chinese sovereignty -
Period: to
The dark Valley
It was a time where the politicians and military was divided and the military within itself as well. There was the radical side (Koda-ha) and the moderate (Tosei-ha). During this period a lot of assaniations on officers and government poeple (banks, police and etc). -
USA response to japanese action 1931-37 -- the Stimson Doctrine
The LON was calling America out for not doing anything about the crisis with Japan, however due to Hoover’s policy of Isolationism, and their trade of strategic materials with Japan, they did not want to offend Japan and cause trouble. They therefore issued a non-recognition doctrine, which the US declared it would not recognize any agreement that violated China’s territorial or administrative integrity or that went against the open door policy or the Kellogg-Briand pact. -
Manchuko is established
The treaty of Tanggu is signed which gives Japan control, in which they change manchuria to manchuko -
Japan leaves the League of nations
Japan declared that the league's members were hypocritical in their attiude towards the japenese actions because they had esablished their colonies by force. Japan did therefore not accept the report and left -
Anti-comintern Pact signed between Japan and nazi german
Japan starts admiring Nazi german after it was kicked out of the League of Nations, however, the new soviet communist regime is a threat to japan (both ideological and territorial) due to its (soviet) interest in Manchuria which Japan has full control off. Japan therefore signs this pact as the relationship between Soviet and China is threatening. -
General Tojo hideki becomes chief of staff
as soon as he become chief of staff to the Kwantung army, he ordered the invasion of China -
Period: to
The second Sino-Japanese war of 1937
escalated after the Marco polo incident, then Japan contiuned to torture and murder through China. The war continued on and Japan (who thought china would give up) was proven wrong and made vulnerable for USSR. Konoye thought he would unify Asia (manchuria, china, and japan) under his rule -
The rape of Nanjing or the Nanjing masacre
The japanese army swept in to the capital city "Nanjing" where they tortured, murdered and raped Chinese citizens and soldiers. Between 100000 to 300000 people were murdered. This was the thing that made it ever impossible for Japan to become a member of the international community again -
the Tripartite Axis pact signed between Germany, Italy, and Japan
agreement that meant Germany and Italy would dominate Europe and Japan would dominate east Asia. Japan agreed to this because if the Axis powers could defeat the western democracies in Europe than Japan would easily seize their colonies + it was signed by the Japanese foreign minister Matsuoka Yosuke -
general Tojo becomes prime minister
After Konoye creates the Imperial Rule Assistane Association (IRAA), he gains control back from the military but 1940 loses it again. In october 1941, General Tojo took over, mand the ilitary is in full control -
A neutrality pact between USSR and Japan
A neutrality pact was signed between the USSR and japan (by foreign minister Matsuoka Yosuke) that allowed soviet to focus on their conflict in Europe. This was also good for japan as it had met soviet on the battle field between china and japan and now it could move it forces south -
Japan attacks pearl habor, Hong kong, singapore
Japanese bombers attack US ships in attempt to destroy US pacific fleet. had they been successful US would had been powerless and Japan could have expanded even further. however they did not take into account that some aircraft carriers were not three because they were out on manoeuvers (this was a fatal mistake) + simultaneously they attacked Hong kong, Singapore (by end of decemer they controlled Hong kong) -
Japan on attacking spree (dutch east indies, the philipines and malaya)
The day after Pearl habour they also attacked dutch east indies, the philipines and malaya. By the end of December 1941 Jpaan controlled Guam, hong kong, and wake island. By mid 1942 Japan controlled Indo-China, siam, the dutch east indies, malaya, Singapore, and the philipines