Modernization In Japan PDF

Page 1 of 4 2 Modernization in Japan MAIN IDEA WHY IT MATTERS NOW TERMS & NAMES CULTURAL INTERACTION Japan Japan’s conti...

Page 1 of 4 2 Modernization in Japan MAIN IDEA WHY IT MATTERS NOW TERMS & NAMES CULTURAL INTERACTION Japan Japan’s continued development Treaty of Russo- followed the model of Western of its own way of life has made Kanagawa Japanese War powers by industrializing and it a leading world power. Meiji era annexation expanding its foreign influence. SETTING THE STAGE In the early 17th century, Japan had shut itself off from almost all contact with other nations. Under the rule of the Tokugawa shoguns, Japanese society was very tightly ordered. The shogun parceled out land to the daimyo, or lords. The peasants worked for and lived under the protection of their daimyo and his small army of samurai, or warriors. This rigid feudal system managed to keep the country free of civil war. Peace and relative prosperity reigned in Japan for two centuries. TAKING NOTES Japan Ends Its Isolation Analyzing Causes List the steps that Japan The Japanese had almost no contact with the industrialized world during this took toward time of isolation. They continued, however, to trade with China and with Dutch modernization and the merchants from Indonesia. They also had diplomatic contact with Korea. events that contributed However, trade was growing in importance, both inside and outside Japan. to its growth as an imperialistic power. The Demand for Foreign Trade Beginning in the early 19th century, Westerners tried to convince the Japanese to open their ports to trade. British, Modernization French, Russian, and American officials occasionally anchored off the Japanese coast. Like China, however, Japan repeatedly refused to receive them. Then, in 1853, U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry took four ships into what is now Tokyo Imperialism Harbor. These massive black wooden ships powered by steam astounded the Japanese. The ships’ cannons also shocked them. The Tokugawa shogun realized he had no choice but to receive Perry and the letter Perry had brought from U.S. president Millard Fillmore. Fillmore’s letter politely asked the shogun to allow free trade between the United States and Japan. Perry delivered it with a threat, however. He would come back with a larger fleet in a year to receive Japan’s reply. That reply was the Treaty of Kanagawa of 1854. Under its terms, Japan opened two ports at which U.S. ships could take on supplies. After the United States had pushed open the door, other Western powers soon followed. By 1860, Japan, like China, had granted foreigners permission to trade at several treaty ports. It had also extended extraterritorial rights to many foreign nations. Meiji Reform and Modernization The Japanese were angry that the shogun had given in to the foreigners’ demands. They turned to Japan’s young emperor, Mutsuhito (moot soo HEE toh), who seemed to symbolize the country’s sense of 810 Chapter 28  Page 2 of 4 pride and nationalism. In 1867, the Tokugawa shogun stepped down, ending the mil- itary dictatorships that had lasted since the 12th century. Mutsuhito took control of the government. He chose the name Meiji for his reign, which means “enlightened rule.” Mutsuhito’s reign, which lasted 45 years, is known as the Meiji era. The Meiji emperor realized that the best way to counter Western influence was to modernize. He sent diplomats to Europe and North America to study Western ways. The Japanese then chose what they believed to be the best that Western civ- ilization had to offer and adapted it to their own country. They admired Germany’s strong centralized government, for example. And they used its constitution as a model for their own. The Japanese also admired the discipline of the German army and the skill of the British navy. They attempted to imitate these European powers as they modernized their military. Japan adopted the American system of universal public education and required that all Japanese children attend school. Their teach- ers often included foreign experts. Students could go abroad to study as well. The emperor also energetically supported following the Western path of indus- trialization. By the early 20th century, the Japanese economy had become as mod- ern as any in the world. The country built its first railroad line in 1872. The track connected Tokyo, the nation’s capital, with the port of Yokohama, 20 miles to the south. By 1914, Japan had more than 7,000 miles of railroad. Coal production grew from half a million tons in 1875 to more than 21 million tons in 1913. Meanwhile, large, state-supported companies built thousands of factories. Traditional Japanese industries, such as tea processing and silk production, expanded to give the coun- try unique products to trade. Developing modern industries, such as shipbuilding, made Japan competitive with the West. Imperial Japan Japan’s race to modernize paid off. By 1890, the country had several dozen war- ships and 500,000 well-trained, well-armed soldiers. It had become the strongest military power in Asia. Japan had gained military, political, and economic strength. It then sought to eliminate the extraterritorial rights of foreigners. The Japanese foreign minister assured foreigners that they could rely on fair treatment in Japan. This was because its constitution and legal codes were similar to those of European nations, he explained. His reasoning was convincing, and in 1894, foreign powers accepted the China and Japan Confront the West China Both Japan Remains committed Have well- Considers to traditional values established modernization to be Loses numerous traditional necessary territorial conflicts values Borrows and adapts Grants other Initially resist Western ways nations spheres of change Strengthens its influence within Oppose Western economic and China imperialism military power Finally accepts Becomes an empire necessity for reform builder ▲The Dowager SKILLBUILDER: Interpreting Charts ▲ The Meiji Emperor Empress Cixi 1. Contrasting According to the diagram, in what ways did China and Japan Mutsuhito (1862–1908) deal differently with Western influence? (1867–1912) 2. Comparing What similar responses did each country share despite the different paths they followed? 811  Page 3 of 4 abolition of extraterritorial rights for their citizens living in Japan. Japan’s feeling of strength and equality with the Western nations rose. As Japan’s sense of power grew, the nation also became more imperialistic. As Making in Europe, national pride played a large part in Japan’s imperial plans. The Inferences Japanese were determined to show the world that they were a powerful nation. Why did Japan become Japan Attacks China The Japanese first turned their sights to their neighbor, imperialistic? Korea. In 1876, Japan forced Korea to open three ports to Japanese trade. But China also considered Korea to be important both as a trading partner and a mili- tary outpost. Recognizing their similar interests in Korea, Japan and China signed a hands-off agreement. In 1885, both countries pledged that they would not send their armies into Korea. In June 1894, however, China broke that agreement. Rebellions had broken out against Korea’s king. He asked China for military help in putting them down. Chinese troops marched into Korea. Japan protested and sent its troops to Korea to Vocabulary fight the Chinese. This Sino-Japanese War lasted just a few months. In that time, Sino: a prefix mean- Japan drove the Chinese out of Korea, destroyed the Chinese navy, and gained a ing “Chinese” foothold in Manchuria. In 1895, China and Japan signed a peace treaty. This treaty gave Japan its first colonies, Taiwan and the neighboring Pescadores Islands. (See the map on page 803.) Russo-Japanese War Japan’s victory over China changed the world’s balance of power. Russia and Japan emerged as the major powers—and enemies—in East Asia. The two countries soon went to war over Manchuria. In 1903, Japan offered to recognize Russia’s rights in Manchuria if the Russians would agree to stay out of Korea. But the Russians refused. In February 1904, Japan launched a surprise attack on Russian ships anchored off the coast of Manchuria. In the resulting Russo-Japanese War, Japan drove Warlike Japan Cartoonists often use symbols to identify the countries, individuals, or even ideas featured in their cartoons. Russia has long been symbolized as a bear by cartoonists. Here, the cartoonist uses a polar bear. Prior to the Meiji era, cartoonists usually pictured Japan as a fierce samurai. Later, however, Japan often was symbolized by a caricature of Emperor Mutsuhito. Here, the cartoonist has exaggerated the emperor’s physical features to make him look like a bird of prey. SKILLBUILDER: Interpreting Political Cartoons 1. Clarifying How does the cartoonist signify that Japan is warlike? 2. Making Inferences In their fight, Russia and Japan appear to be crushing someone. Who do you think this might be? 812 Chapter 28  Page 4 of 4 Russian troops out of Korea and captured most of Russia’s Pacific fleet. It also destroyed Russia’s Baltic fleet, which had sailed all the way around Africa to participate in the war. In 1905, Japan and Russia began peace negotiations. U.S. Western Views of the East president Theodore Roosevelt helped draft the treaty, which The Japanese victory over the the two nations signed on a ship off Portsmouth, New Russians in 1905 exploded a strong Western myth. Many Westerners Hampshire. This agreement, the Treaty of Portsmouth, gave believed that white people were a Japan the captured territories. It also forced Russia to with- superior race. The overwhelming draw from Manchuria and to stay out of Korea. success of European colonialism and Japanese Occupation of Korea After defeating Russia, imperialism in the Americas, Africa, and Asia had reinforced this belief. Vocabulary Japan attacked Korea with a vengeance. In 1905, it made But the Japanese had shown protectorate: a Korea a protectorate. Japan sent in “advisers,” who grabbed Europeans that people of other races country under the more and more power from the Korean government. The were their equals in modern warfare. partial control and Korean king was unable to rally international support for his Unfortunately, Japan’s military protection of regime. In 1907, he gave up control of the country. Within victory led to a different form of another nation two years the Korean Imperial Army was disbanded. In Western racism. Influenced by the ideas of Germany’s Emperor Wilhelm 1910, Japan officially imposed annexation on Korea, or II, the West imagined the Japanese brought that country under Japan’s control. uniting with the Chinese and The Japanese were harsh rulers. They shut down Korean conquering Europe. The resulting newspapers and took over Korean schools. There they racist Western fear of what was called replaced the study of Korean language and history with the yellow peril influenced world politics for many decades. Japanese subjects. They took land away from Korean farm- ers and gave it to Japanese settlers. They encouraged Japanese businessmen to start industries in Korea, but for- Clarifying bade Koreans from going into business. Resentment of Japan’s repressive rule How did Japan grew, helping to create a strong Korean nationalist movement. treat the Koreans The rest of the world clearly saw the brutal results of Japan’s imperialism. after it annexed the Nevertheless, the United States and other European countries largely ignored what country? was happening in Korea. They were too busy with their own imperialistic aims, as you will learn in Section 3. SECTION 2 ASSESSMENT TERMS & NAMES 1. For each term or name, write a sentence explaining its significance. Treaty of Kanagawa Meiji era Russo-Japanese War annexation USING YOUR NOTES MAIN IDEAS CRITICAL THINKING & WRITING 2. Do you think that Japan could 3. How was the Treaty of 6. ANALYZING CAUSES What influences do you think were have become an imperialistic Kanagawa similar to the most important in motivating Japan to build its empire? power if it had not modern- treaties that China signed with 7. FORMING AND SUPPORTING OPINIONS In your view, was ized? Why or why not? various European powers? Japan’s aggressive imperialism justified? Support your 4. What steps did the Meiji answer with information from the text. Modernization emperor take to modernize 8. ANALYZING BIAS How did Japan’s victory in the Russo- Japan? Japanese War both explode and create stereotypes? Imperialism 5. How did Japan begin its quest 9. WRITING ACTIVITY EMPIRE BUILDING In the role of a to build an empire? Japanese official, write a letter to the government of a Western power explaining why you think it is necessary for your country to build an empire. CONNECT TO TODAY CREATING A SYMBOL Conduct research to discover the name that Akihito, the present emperor of Japan, chose for his reign. Then create a symbol that expresses the meaning of this name. Transformations Around the Globe 813