History Guide PDF: Japan's Asian Empire (Late 19th-Early 20th Century)

How successful was Japan in creating an Asian empire in the late 19th - early 20th centuries? Japan was relatively successful in creating an empire in Asia by the early 20th century. Through a series of military victories and strategic alliances, Japan established dominance over Korea and parts of...

How successful was Japan in creating an Asian empire in the late 19th - early 20th centuries? Japan was relatively successful in creating an empire in Asia by the early 20th century. Through a series of military victories and strategic alliances, Japan established dominance over Korea and parts of China, as well as gained influence in other Asian territories. The First Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) (Slide 3 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC) was a key event where Japan defeated China, leading to the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which granted Japan control over Taiwan and influence in Korea. Furthermore, the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) (Slide 4 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC) marked Japan's emergence as a significant military power after defeating Russia, making Japan the dominant power in East Asia. Flashcards How successful was Japan in creating an ASian empire in the late 19th century -early 20th century? through series of military victories & alliances Japan established dominance over Korea (which treaty?) and parts of China gained influence over other Asian territories (same treaty) (which war?) what was the First Sino Japanese War (1894-95) key event that where Japan defeated China which led to the….. What was the Treaty of Shimonoseki? happened bc of First SIno Japanese War granted Japan control over Taiwan and influence in Korea What was the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) marked Japans emergence as a significant military power AFTER DEFEATING RUSSIA marked Japan as THE DOMINANT POWER in EAST ASIA Essential Question 2: How was militarism built into the Japanese political system? Militarism was deeply embedded in the Japanese political system starting from the Meiji Restoration (1868), as the government focused on building a strong military to resist Western domination and to expand its empire (Slide 3 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC). The Meiji Constitution (1889) (Slide 9 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC) established the emperor as the supreme leader, with the military answering directly to him, bypassing civilian control. This setup allowed military leaders significant autonomy and power within the government. The influence of military leaders grew, especially in the early 20th century, as Japan pursued aggressive expansionist policies. Flashcards How was militarism built into the Japanese political system? started from (which RESTORATION?) What was the Meiji Restoration (1868) gov focuses on building strong military to RESIST WESTERN DOMINATION & EXPAND EMPIRE What was the Meiji Constitution? established the EMPEROR as the SUPREME LEADER military answered directly to him - disregarding civilian control allowed military leaders lots of power within gov influence of military leaders grew ○ especially in early 20th cent - japan pursued more aggressive expansionist polices Essential Question 3: How did Japanese nationalism, militarism, and imperialism impact Japan's foreign policy prior to 1931? Japanese nationalism, militarism, and imperialism led to an aggressive foreign policy aimed at expanding Japan's influence across Asia. The belief in Japan's "special mission" to lead Asia (Slide 14 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC) fueled its imperialist ambitions. Japan's military victories in the First Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War, and its participation in the Boxer Rebellion (1900) (Slide 5 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC) further emboldened its expansionist aims. By 1931, Japan had firmly established its presence in Korea, Taiwan, and Manchuria, setting the stage for further territorial ambitions in China and Southeast Asia. How did Japanese nationalists, militarism and imperialism impact Japan’s foreign policy b4 1931? led to AGGRESSIVE FOREIGN POLICY aimed at EXPANDING Japans INFLUENCE across Asia The verifies in Japans “special mission” to lead Asia Fueled ties IMPERIALIST AMBITIONS Which victories showed Japans expansionist arms  military victory in First Sino-Japanese War, Russo-Japanese War + participation in Boxer Rebellion By when did Japan establish presence where? by 1931 in a Korea, Taiwan & Manchuria which set the stage fo more territorial ambitions in China & Southeast Asia Key Terms, Events, and Figures: 1. Shogun: A military ruler in pre-Meiji Japan who had control over feudal lords (Slide 6 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC). 2. Korea 1876-1905: Korea became a key battleground between Japan and China. After Japan's victory in the First Sino-Japanese War, Korea fell under Japanese influence, officially annexed in 1910 (Slide 4 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC). 3. First Sino-Japanese War, 1894-95: Marked Japan's emergence as a regional power by defeating China and gaining Taiwan (Slide 3 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC). 4. Treaty of Shimonoseki, 1895: Ended the First Sino-Japanese War, granting Taiwan to Japan (Slide 3 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC). 5. Tripartite Intervention, 1895: A diplomatic intervention by Russia, Germany, and France to limit Japan's gains after the Treaty of Shimonoseki (Slide 5 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC). 6. Anglo-Japanese Alliance, 1902: Japan's alliance with Britain, which allowed Japan to secure its interests in Asia without interference from Western powers (Slide 4 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC). 7. Russo-Japanese War, 1904-05: A major conflict where Japan defeated Russia, marking its rise as a military power (Slide 4 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC).  8. Boxer Rebellion, 1900: Japan played a role in suppressing the anti-foreign uprising in China, furthering its influence (Slide 5 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC). 9. Treaty of Portsmouth, 1905: Ended the Russo-Japanese War, with Japan gaining control over parts of Manchuria and Korea (Slide 4 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC). 10. Shantung Peninsula 1914: During World War I, Japan seized German-controlled areas in China (Slide 5 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC). 11. 21 Demands to China, 1915: Japan's attempt to gain further control over China during WWI, which strained its relations with Western powers (Slide 5 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC). 12. Mandates: After World War I, Japan received former German colonies in the Pacific as mandates, expanding its empire further (Slide 5 of Japanese Expansionism_Causes_GC). Flashcards What is a Shogun? military ruler in pre-Meiji Japan controlled over feudal lords What was Korea 1876-1905 Korea became a KEY BATTLEGROUND b/w Japan & China after Japan’s victory in First-Sino Japanese War — Korea fell under Japanese influence - annexed in 1910 What was the First-Sino Japanese War? Japan defeated China gained Taiwan and influence over Korea ○ makers Japans emergence as regional power What was the treaty of Shimonoseki? ENDED First-Sino Japanese War ○ granted Taiwan to Japan What was the Tripartite Intervention, 1895 intervention by Russia Germany & France to LIMIT JAPAN’S GAIN AFTER TREATY OF SHIMONOSEKI Anglo-Japanese Alliance 1902 Japan’s alliance with Britain Allowed Japan to secure its interests in Asia w/o interference from WESTERN POWERS Russo-Japanese War 1904-05 Major conflict - Japan defeated Russia Rise as military power What was the Treaty of Portsmouth 1905 ENDED Russo-Japanese War Japan gaining control over parts of Manchuria & Korea What was the Boxer Rebellion 1900 Japan played role suppressing the anti-foreign uprising in China Furthering its influence Shantung Peninsula 1914 During WW1 Japan seized (took) German controlled areas in China 21 Demands to China 1915 Japan’s attempt to gain further control over China during WW1 STRAINED relations with Western Powers Mandates AFTER WW1 Japan got former German colonies in Pacific as MANDATE Expanding its empire further Japanese Foreign Policy Overview (Late 19th - Early 20th Century) 1. Japan’s Expansionism (1895-1915) Key Context: Japan sought to expand its influence in Asia through both diplomacy and military force. The government adopted Western-style modernization while maintaining the emperor's central role. Major Events: ○ First Sino-Japanese War (1894-95): Japan defeated China, marking its emergence as a major power. Gained Taiwan and control over Korea. ○ Treaty of Shimonoseki (1895): Ended the Sino-Japanese War, giving Japan territorial gains. ○ Russo-Japanese War (1904-05): Japan's victory over Russia further solidified its status as a military power. ○ Anglo-Japanese Alliance (1902): This alliance recognized Japan's growing power and allowed Britain and Japan to secure mutual interests in Asia without Western interference. Key Concept: Expansion into Korea and China led to increased militarism and strained relations with Western powers. 2. Key Figures and Terms Shogun: The military rulers of Japan before the Meiji Restoration. Korea 1876-1905: Korea fell under Japanese influence after the Sino-Japanese War, and it was fully annexed in 1910. Boxer Rebellion (1900): Japan participated in suppressing this anti-foreign uprising in China, helping to secure its influence in the region. Shantung Peninsula (1914): Japan seized German territories in China during World War I. 21 Demands to China (1915): Japan attempted to increase its control over China during World War I. Key Themes in Japanese Foreign Policy 1. Militarism in the Japanese Political System Explanation: Militarism was ingrained in Japan's political structure after the Meiji Restoration. The military directly answered to the emperor, which allowed them to act with considerable independence. Effect: The military’s influence grew as Japan expanded its empire, leading to more aggressive foreign policies. This militarism culminated in conflicts like the Sino-Japanese War, Russo-Japanese War, and Japan's role in World War I. 2. Imperialism and Nationalism Nationalism: Japan believed in its destiny to lead Asia and to resist Western domination. Imperialism: Japan’s desire to create a powerful empire led it to annex Korea, take control of Taiwan, and occupy parts of China. Impact on Foreign Policy: Japan’s aggressive expansion led to conflicts with China and Russia, but also to alliances with Western powers like Britain. Key Treaties and Alliances 1. Treaty of Shimonoseki (1895) Significance: Marked Japan's victory over China, granting Japan Taiwan and influence over Korea. 2. Anglo-Japanese Alliance (1902) Significance: This alliance allowed Japan to focus on its imperial ambitions in Asia without interference from Britain, solidifying Japan’s role as a major power. 3. Treaty of Portsmouth (1905) Significance: Ended the Russo-Japanese War, with Japan gaining control over parts of Manchuria and Korea, furthering its imperial expansion. Japan’s Foreign Policy Leading Up to 1931 Shidehara Diplomacy (1920s): During this period, Japan focused on maintaining peace and working within international diplomatic frameworks, particularly avoiding conflict with the U.S. and other Western powers. Shift in Policy (1927): By the late 1920s, Japan’s policy became more aggressive as it sought to ensure its dominance in Manchuria and other parts of China. Japan moved away from international diplomacy towards unilateral action. Manchurian Crisis (1931): This was a turning point where Japan's militarism led to the invasion of Manchuria, a critical step in Japan's path toward full-scale war in Asia. Study Tips: 1. Memorize Key Dates: Focus on the key events and treaties, especially those that significantly expanded Japan’s empire (e.g., 1895, 1905, 1910). 2. Understand Cause-Effect Relationships: Recognize how Japan’s victories in the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars led to its rising status and fueled its aggressive expansionist policies. 3. Know the Role of Nationalism and Militarism: Japan’s nationalistic belief in its "special mission" and the autonomy of its military played significant roles in shaping its foreign policy. 4. Map Out Alliances and Conflicts: Make sure to understand the alliances Japan formed (e.g., with Britain) and the conflicts it engaged in (e.g., with China and Russia).