Causes of expansion in Japan Flashcards
Give an overview of what the Meiji Restoration was and how this impacted militarism in the country
-The Meiji Restoration established the Meiji Emperor as the head of government in Japan, ending centuries of feudalism.
-The new government introduced a series of reforms, causing many tensions in Japan.
-Eventually, an ultranationalist state developed, with increasing power and influence of the military.
What was the Meiji Constitution and what did it state?
-The Meiji Constitution was given as a gift by the Emperor to the people of Japan in 1889.
-It made the Emperor of Japan head of state and declared him to be a divine individual.
-It also established a parliament, known as the Diet.
-Much political power, however, developed among members of the Privy Council, cabinet and military.
According to the Meiji Constitution, what was the purpose of the Emperor?
The Emperor of Japan was head of state and a divine individual, giving him supreme authority.
According to the Meiji Constitution, what was the purpose of the Privy Council?
The Privy Council acted as advisors to the Emperor and controlled access to him.
According to the Meiji Constitution, what was the purpose of the cabinet?
The cabinet consisted of ministers responsible for the various functions of government and reported to the Emperor.
According to the Meiji Constitution, what was the purpose of the military?
-The military was granted a lot of independence in the constitution and was directly responsible to the Emperor.
-They used their positions in the cabinet to gain more power by threatening vetoes of laws that could cause the collapse of government.
According to the Meiji Constitution, what was the purpose of the Diet?
-The Diet consisted of two bodies.
-The House of Representatives was elected by those with suffrage.
-They could create and pass laws.
-The House of Peers could approve or reject laws passed by the House of Representatives.
Describe the changes to education and loyalty to the state during the Meiji Restoration
-Education was mandatory for all citizens.
-After some opposition to government grew, the curriculum changed to emphasize loyalty and to value the Emperor, his divinity and Japan’s uniqueness in the world and in history.
Explain how changes to education and loyalty to the state during the Meiji Restoration impacted ideology
-Changes to education helped in the growth of ultranationalism, also known as radical nationalism.
-This was similar to fascism.
-When military-type training was introduced to schools during the 1920s, the connection between education, the military and nationalism strengthened the appeal of the military throughout the country.
Japan’s ___ was a key characteristic of ultranationalism and radical nationalism
Uniqueness
During the Meiji Restoration, the Japanese believed they were on a ___
Special mission
Why did the Japanese believe they were special?
-The Emperor was divine.
-It had never been conquered by Europeans or Americans.
-It had a long history of independence.
-Most citizens were Japanese who shared a common culture and history.
-It was the only non-European state to win a war against a European state through the Russo-Japanese War, 1904–5.
-It was a major power both militarily and industrially.
Describe the radical ideology that emerged from Japan’s belief that it was unique
-Japan’s unique characteristics gave it a special mission to lead all of Asia and remove all non-Asian influences from the region.
-Radical nationalism formed when the idea that anything that harmed Japan’s Emperor and Japan must be prevented.
-Radical nationalists used threats and assassinations to protect Japan and achieve its special mission.
Describe the growth of militarism (after the Meiji Restoration)
-A strong military with a large navy and army was needed to achieve the special mission.
-The move towards militarism strengthened.
-The military held increasing power and influence in Japanese politics.
Describe Japan’s militarism before the Meiji Restoration
-Before the Meiji Restoration, Japan had been ruled by a military dictator, known as a shogūn, not the Emperor.
-The Emperor’s primary role was as a symbol of the nation.
-Japan grew stronger during this period.
-It soon began to look towards neighbouring states and their resources in order to expand its empire.
Describe Japan’s militarism before and during the First World War
-Japan’s modernization and industrialization developed at an impressive rate.
-Japan was becoming a power nation able to influence other countries in the region, perhaps to dominate them.
-The increased power encouraged its leaders to act on its long-term interest in Korea and to battle with Russia, China and Taiwan.
-The First World War gave Japan a chance to show the entire world, especially China and Germany, its new industrial and military prowess.
When did Japan force Korea to agree to the Japan-Korea Treaty and what enabeld it to do this?
-1876
-Japan used its new might to force Korea to agree to the this treaty.
What was the Japan-Korea Treaty also known as?
The Japan–Korea Treaty of Amity or the Treaty of Ganghwa Island
What were the terms of the Japan-Korea Treaty?
-Korea was no longer a tributary of China.
-Japanese citizens could not be arrested or tried in Korean courts.
-Korea could not impose any restrictions on Japanese trade.
-Japan was permitted the use of three ports.
What actions in Korea led to the war between Japan and China (First Sino-Japanese War)?
-Between 1884 and 1895, political turmoil, violence and foreign intervention were common in Korea.
-When the Korean government asked for Chinese assistance in putting down a peasant revolt in 1894, Japan declared Korea in violation of the Japan–Korea Treaty.
-Japanese troops took control of Korea and assassinated the opposition leader, Empress Myeongseong.
When did the First Sino-Japanese War take place?
1894–95
Why had war between Japan and the Qing Dynasty of China (the First Sino-Japanese War) been building up for years?
-Japan’s interference in Korea such as those stated above
-Japan’s use of assassinations in Korea
-China’s banning of Japanese imported goods.
Describe the events of the First Sino-Japanese War
-War broke out in August 1894.
-Japan’s more modern military quickly pushed Chinese troops out of Korea, invaded Manchuria, seized the important ports of Port Arthur and Weihaiwei, and captured islands near Taiwan.
-Before long, China requested terms for peace.
-The Treaty of Shimonoseki, agreed to in April 1895, favoured Japan.
What did the Treaty of Shimonoseki give Japan?
-Taiwan and the Liaodong Peninsula
-Permission to operate ships on the Yangtze River
-The right to have factories and import goods at four Chinese ports
-A large indemnity to be paid by China.
When was the Treaty of Shimonoseki agreed to?
April 1895
How did Russia, Germany, and France react to the Treaty of Shimonoseki?
-They quickly denounced it and demanded its alteration.
-This is known as the Tripartite Intervention.
What territorial changes did the Tripartite Intervention result in?
-Russia taking control of the Liaodong Peninsula and Port Arthur
-Germany gaining control of the Shantung Peninsula and the port of Weihaiwei
-Japan ruling Taiwan.
What effect did the Tripartite Intervention have on Japan and its ruling of Taiwan?
-The Tripartite Intervention left Japan humiliated.
-Shortly afterwards in May 1895, Taiwan declared itself to be the Republic of Formosa in a challenge to Japanese rule.
-Five months later, Japanese forces defeated the rebel forces, leaving Taiwan under Japanese control.
Describe the relationship between Japan and Russia after the first Sino-Japanese War
-Russia emerged as Japan’s primary challenger.
-Tensions between the two countries centred on the Liaodong Peninsula and Port Arthur.
-Japan’s economy benefited from its rapid industrialization.
-Rapid economic growth allowed Japan to enlarge its army and navy.
-Japan also began looking for allies.
When was the Anglo-Japanese Alliance formed?
1902
Why was the Anglo-Japanese Alliance formed?
-Russia also was rapidly industrialized and looked to expand into China.
-Concerned with Russian intent in China, Britain and Japan formed the Anglo-Japanese Alliance of 1902.
What effect did the Anglo-Japanese Alliance have on Japan?
-The alliance reassured Japan that a war with Russia would not expand into a wider war with other countries as those countries would then be at war with Britain, a world power.
-Japan could now provoke a war against Russia with a greater confidence of victory.
When did the Russo-Japanese War take place?
1904-05
Describe the Russian actions that provoked Japan (events that caused the Russo-Japanese War)
-Tensions between Russia and Japan had continually increased since the Tripartite Intervention.
-Consequent Russian actions in China and Korea provoked Japan. Russia:
•Leased Port Arthur and parts of the Liaodong Peninsula from China
•Stationed warships in Port Arthur and fortified its defences
•Began construction of a railway linking Port Arthur to Russia through Manchuria, a province of China
•Pressured Korea for mining and forestry rights
•Stationed a large army in Manchuria as protection from the Boxer Rebellion and kept it there after the rebellion failed.
Describe the short-term causes of the Russo-Japanese War
-Diplomatic talks between the two countries failed when a Japanese proposal to establish spheres of influence in the region was ignored by Russia.
-Japan expelled the Russian ambassador and ended all relations between the two countries.
-The war started soon afterwards.
Describe the events of the Russo-Japanese War
-Japan attacked the Russian navy in Port Arthur in February 1904.
-Japan then invaded Korea and Manchuria.
-Port Arthur came under siege from the Japanese.
-In December 1904, Japanese artillery destroyed the Russian fleet in Port Arthur.
-The Japanese army won a major land battle at Mukden in Manchuria, taking control of that city in one of the largest battles of the twentieth century.
-The Japanese navy completely destroyed a Russian fleet at the Battle of Tsushima Straits.
-Japan occupied Sakhalin Island, claimed by Russia.
-The 1905 Revolution broke out in Russia, partially caused by Russian military defeats, forcing the Russian government to seek peace.
When was the Treaty of Portsmouth signed?
1905
Give an overview of the signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth
The USA helped in negotiations of the Treaty of Portsmouth signed by Japan and Russia in September 1905.
What were the terms of the Treaty of Portsmouth?
The terms:
-Required all troops to leave Manchuria and return it to Chinese control
-Permitted Japan to lease the Liaodong Peninsula and Port Arthur from China
-Granted Japan the right to lease the Southern Manchurian Railway, built by Russia, from China
-Gave Japan the southern half of Sakhalin Island
-Recognized Japan’s claim on Korea.
What additional international benefits did Japan receive from its victory in the Russo-Japanese War?
-International respect
-Control of Korea in return for allowing the USA full control of the Philippines
-British recognition of Japan’s right to control Korea
-An extension of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.
Who won the Russo-Japanese War?
Japan
What effect did the Russo-Japanese War and the subsequent Treaty of Portsmouth have on Japan’s military domestically?
-At home, Japan’s military enjoyed increased prestige as well as increased government spending for its programmes.
-But, Japan was not completely satisfied with the outcome of the war and the peace treaty.
-Japan felt it deserved:
•A war indemnity from Russia to pay for the war
• All of Sakhalin Island
•Complete control of the Liaodong Peninsula, Port Arthur and parts of Manchuria instead of renting them from China.
What opportunity did WW1 provide for Japan?
It provided an opportunity for Japan to show the world, especially Germany and China, that it was a great power.
Describe the events in the Shantung Peninsula in 1914
-Britain asked Japan to enter the war as an ally in accordance with the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.
-Germany possessed a fortress in the harbour at Tsingtao on China’s Shantung Peninsula, where it stationed warships.
-With Japan about to move on the Shantung Peninsula, Germany removed its warships.
-Tsingtao quickly surrendered to Japan.
-Japan also quickly took control of German possessions in the Pacific Ocean.
Describe Japan’s relationship with China during WW1 and the issuing of the 21 demands
-With most of the attention of the war on Europe, Japan took advantage of China’s weaknesses to assert its power.
-In January 1915, Japan issued the Twenty-One Demands to China.
-These demands would greatly increase Japan’s power and presence in China, giving it a great degree of economic and political autonomy there, especially in Manchuria.
-Eventually the demands were reduced to thirteen.
How did China respond to the 21 demands (that were eventually reduced to 13) and what impacts did this decision have?
-China agreed to these demands because it was not able to resist Japan.
-Anti-Japanese sentiment swept across China.
-The USA and Britain became concerned with Japanese aggression in China.
-These concerns influenced negotiations and decisions at the Paris Peace Conference.
