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Period: to
Meiji period
Japan opened it's doors to foreigners and because of this industrialized rapidly. This created a demand for resources to feul growth, yet Japan was a small, resource-poor nation. -
First Sino-Japanese war
After much tension over Korea, China and Japan go to war. By April 1895, Japan declared victory over the chinese. China agreed to pay a large indemnity and handed over Korea and Tiawan. -
Russo-Japanese war
Russia began showing interest in korea and Manchuria after china's defeat. After failed diplomatic agreement, Japan suprized Russia by declaring war. Japan eventually won in 1905 and immerged as a world power. -
Period: to
WWI
Japan aquired most of Germany's asian and pacific colonies due to its alliance with Britain. To secure it's new empire and gain the respect of western nations, Japan began to build up it's military. -
New government
Ultranationalist factions of the military still had a strong influence and the civilian goernment had a hard time keeping the radicals in line. -
Great depression
Ultranationalist secret societies took power from the governments who were weak from the devastaion caused by the greta depression. -
Invasion of Manchuria
Against orders from the government, the army began to invade manchuria. -
Amau Doctrine
Japan assumed responsibility for peace in Asia. It wanted to free Asian countries from western colonization and dominance. Slogans such as "Asia for Asians" became popular in Japan.
