Chapter 12 Section 2: Modernization in Japan

Modernization in Japan

Chapter 12 Section 2

Setting the stage

• Early 17th century – Japan cut off almost all contact with outside nations

• - Repeatedly refused to receive foreign officials 

• Tokuguwa shoguns ruled over a rigid feudal system

• - Shogun – military dictator that ruled over Japan from 1185 to 1868 to who samurai pledged their loyalty

• Peace and prosperity reigned for two centuries

Open Ended

Why do you think Japan cut off all ties with other nations and refused to even meet with them?

The Demand for Foreign Trade

• 1853 - U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in Japan with a letter from President Millard Fillmore, asking for free trade between the US and Japan

• Delivered with a threat - Perry would return in one year with a larger fleet to receive Japan's reply to the letter

• Treaty of Kanagawa (1854)—Japan opens two ports to American ships

• By 1860, Japan has trade agreements with many nations 

Open Ended

How was the Treaty of Kanagawa similar to the treaties that China signed with various European powers?

Meiji Reform and Modernization

• Anger over these trade deals forced shogun to step down in 1867

• Meiji era—time of reform begun by Meiji emperor, Mutsuhito (lasted 45 years)

• Meiji emperor reformed Japan, modernizes using Western models (education, military, government, constitution)

• - By early 1900s, Japan has industrialized, is competitive with West

Military Strength

• By 1890, Japan had a strong navy and large army

• 1894 - Japan's strength convinced Western nations to give up extraterritorial rights

• As its sense of power grew, Japan became more imperialistic

• - Wanted to show the world their power

Japan Attacks China

• Japan forced Korea to open three ports to Japanese trade in 1876

• 1885 - Japan and China agreed not to send troops to Korea even though both countries wanted control

• - 1894 - China sent troops to put down rebellion in Korea

• - Japan drove Chinese out of Korea, gained Chinese territory (Sino-Japanese War)

Open Ended

Why did Japan become Imperialistic?

Russo-Japanese War

• 1903 - Japan recognition of Russia's rights in Manchuria if Russia would agree to stay out of Korea - Russia refused

• 1904 - Japan launched a surprise attack on Russian ships in Manchuria's harbor, launching the Russo-Japanese War

• Japan drove Russian forces out of Korea and captured or destroyed much of Russia's naval fleet

• 1905 - treaty ended the war

• - Japan got captured territories, Russia had to withdraw from Manchuria and stay out of Korea

Open Ended

Explain one way China and Japan were similar in how they confronted the West. Explain one way China and Japan were different in how they confronted the West.

Japanese Occupation of Korea

• After the Russo-Japanese War, Japan attacked Korea with a vengence

• Japanese "advisors" took more and more power from the government - 1907 - Korean king gave up control

• 1901 - Japan officially annexed Korea

• Japanese were harsh rulers

  - shut down Korean newspapers and schools, gave Korean land to Japanese settlers, forbade Koreans from going into business

• Korean nationalism began to grow

Head to your groups on Teams to discuss this question:

• In your opinion, was Japan's aggressive imperialism justified? Why or why not?

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