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The Meiji Restoration
In 1867, the Japanese people demanded the restoration of an emperor as the head of government, instead of the military shogun. The next year, emperor Meiji and his government went about modernizing Japan. Japan modeled their education system, form of government, military and industries on those of foreign nations. This is important to understanding the essential question because it explains how and why Japan became modernized which leads to it emerging as a world power. -
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Berlin West Africa Conference
Representatives of 13 European nations met in Berlin to prevent war and lay down ground rules for a huge belt of central African territory: The entire area was to be a free trade zone, religious missions and scientific research were to be protected and the slave trade was to be banned in the area. They also agreed rules should be set informing other powers when "effective occupation" had taken place. This is important to the essential question because it shows how imperialism caused tensions. -
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The First Sino-Japanese War
Disputes over Korea led to the First Sino-Japanese War. At the Treaty of Shimonoseki, China ceded Korea, Formosa, and Port Arthur to Japan. The Triple Intervention caused Japan to return Port Arthur to Chinese control and it was immediately occupied by Russia. Humiliated, the Japanese government built more warships and waited for an opportunity to gain revenge against the Russians. This is important for understanding the essential question because it shows the beginning of Japan becoming a power -
Fashoda Crisis
Britain and France almost go to war over competing claims to Sudan. France was expanding eastward, and the British were expanding southward, and they clashed in the village of Fashoda. The solution to this crisis was compromise. France recognized British possession of Egypt and Sudan while Britain recognized French presence in Morocco. This is important to uderstandind the essential question of Unit 1 because it demonstrates how imperial expanssion negatively affected international relations. -
Spanish American War
There are many causes for the Spanish American War like Spain's refusal to grant Cuban independence. The explosion of the U.S.S Maine, sent to Cuba to bring home U.S. citizens, killed 260 men and worsened tensions between Spain and the U.S. The war began shortly after. The war ended with the Treaty of Paris and the U.S. gained Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam. and the Philippines as a result. This is important in understanding the essential question because it marks a turning point in U.S. imperialism. -
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Boxer Rebellion
Chinese nationalists, angered by their governments failure to prevent foreigners from gaining influence in China, took up arms in what is knows as the Boxer Rebellion. An eight nation alliance was formed to defeat the rebellion. It included Britain, France, Russia, Germany, USA, Japan, Italy and Austria-Hungary. This is important for understanding the essential question because it demonstrates how imperialism caused nations to from alliances. -
Open Door Notes
The US sought to gain control with competing spheres of influence in China as well as to avoid warring with the other imperial powers. The Open Door Notes were policy statements proposing that other nations share their trading rights in China with the US. This meant that no single nations would have a monopoly on China. This is important in understanding the essential question because it shows the US's foreign policy becoming more imperialistic. -
Anglo-Japanese Alliance
The British and the Japanese decided to adopt a common approach to the problems posed by Russia in the Far East through the Anglo-Japanese Alliance -
Entente Cordiale
Germany's new aggressive imperial approach was concerning for Britain and France. They signed the "Entente Cordiale" in 1904, which settled long-standing imperial rivalries between the two in North Africa. Britain also formally recognized French claims in Morocco. This event is important in understanding the essential question because it marks the beginning of future alliances between Britain and France -
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Russo-Japanese War
Japan wanted to reach a settlement with Russia, and was prepared to recognize Russian rights in Manchuria for Japanese rights in Korea. Russia refused to negotiate and invaded Korea instead. The war was ended by the Treaty of Portsmouth which recognized Japan's rights in Korea and ended Russian influence in Manchuria. This event is important in understanding the essential question because Japan's victory in the war marked its emergence as a world power.