Second Major Exam Flashcards
What did Matthew Perry force Japan into signing?
The Harris Treaty. It established formal relations with Japan.
In what 3 ways did Japan embrace change?
- Japanese Imperial Oath of 1868
- A constitution was created.
- Department of Education was established in 1871.
What did the Japanese Imperial Oath of 1868 consist of? (3 things)
- Freedom of speech.
- Abandonment of outdated practices.
- Pursuit of knowledge.
Upon which Western nation did Japan model their new government?
Germany, with their constitutional monarchy.
What was the Japanese Department of Education’s mission statement?
To wipe out ignorance.
What was the Meiji Restoration?
From 1868-1912, Japan transitioned from a feudal society to a world power. Emperor was head of state.
What does “Meiji” mean?
Enlightened rule.
Why was Japan viewed as a world power?
- Anglo-Japanese Alliance of 1902: between Britain and Japan. A military alliance.
- Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895): Japan beat China for Eastern dominance.
What was significant about the Anglo-Japanese Alliance of 1902?
The British broke their “splendid isolationism” in favor of alliance with an Eastern power (over that of even a Western power).
Why did Japan fight China around 1894-95?
Over control of Korea. Both sides agreed to let Korea be politically independent. Japan won.
What is the Treaty of Shimonosaki?
Treaty signed after Sino-Japanese War. Gave control of Korea to Japan.
What was the Russo-Japanese War?
In 1904-1905, Japan fought Russia over control of Manchuria. First time an Eastern power had beat a Western nation.
Why were the Russians interested in Manchuria?
Russia did not have a sufficient warm water port. Port Arthur was located there and the Ruskies wanted it.
Why were the Japanese interested in Manchuria?
Port Arthur, as well as the railroads and mining resources there.
Who was the mediator between Russia and Japan?
President Roosevelt, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize.
What treaty ended the Russo-Japanese War and what did it do?
The Portsmouth Treaty. Japan gained control of Manchuria.
In 1871, what Western nation produced the most industrial goods?
Germany.
Who was Otto van Bismarck?
He was the Prime Minister (Chancellor) of Prussia. Very good at working things in his favor.
Prior to 1871, Bismarck was a “hawk.” What does this mean?
It meant he was in favor of war.
What were Bismarck’s two biggest goals PRIOR to 1871?
To create a unified Germany and protect the interests of the Prussian Royal Family.
Who was William I?
The King of Prussia who appointed Bismarck as Prime Minister. They worked well together.
How did Bismarck intend to unify the German people?
War, propagandized correctly.
What were Bismarck’s 3 wars?
- War of 1864 w/ Denmark
- Seven Weeks War of 1866 w/ Austria
- Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871).
Why did Bismarck fight Denmark in 1864?
Over “border” issues.
Why did Bismarck fight the Seven Weeks War of 1866 with Austria?
Over who was going to lead the Germanic people: Prussia or Austria. Prussians won.
Why was the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 fought?
France did not want a Prussian noble (Leopold) to be king in Spain (they would have enemies on both sides then). Much drama ensued and Prussia won.
What ended the Franco-Prussian War?
Napoleon III’s capture.
What treaty ended the Franco-Prussian War and what did it do? (2 things)
The Treaty of Frankfurt: Prussia gained two wealthy provinces and William I was coronated in the Palace of Versailles.
What was the government type of the German Empire?
Constitutional monarchy. Powerful central government with 25 smaller states.
What kind of powers did the German Feds hold vs those of the smaller states?
German Federal gov’t held enumerated power (as written in constitution) while the 25 states held residual power (anything that wasn’t written in the constitution).
What was iffy about the German constitution?
It gave people a sense of participation without actually giving them power.
How did the German constitution favor a few?
The two most powerful positions, Kaiser and Prime Minister, were inherited.
What does “Kulturkampf” translate to?
“Struggle for civilization.”
What was the Kulturkampf?
A struggle between those who considered themselves “enlightened” Europeans and the Roman Catholic Church.
What was the “Syllabus of Errors?”
In 1864, Pope Pius 9th identified what he believed to be errors of modern societies.
What were the “errors” Pope Pius 9th listed? (4 things)
- Freedom of speech/press
- Separation of church and state
- Secular education
- Civil (non-Church) marriage
What was the “First Vatican Council & Doctrine of Papal Infallibility” and what was the problem with it?
In 1870, the council said that the Pope could do no wrong in matters of FAITH, whereas some thought they said he could do no wrong period (which was an incorrect interpretation).
How did Italy respond to the misbehaving Catholic Church?
In 1870, the Italian army occupied Rome and made clear that Rome was part of the Italian state.
Why did Napoleon III pull troops out of Rome?
Troops that usually protected the Church were pulled back to fight in the Franco-Prussian War. The Church was not happy with this.
How did Bismarck make Kulturkampf worse?
He made the May/Falk laws that persecuted and punished the Catholic Church in Germany. This was stupid as a third of Germany was Catholic.
Why did Bismarck enact the May/Falk laws? (3 possible reasons, last one is best)
- Pope is an Italian Prince
- Prejudice
- Foreign policy
What were Bismarck’s two major goals POST 1871?
- He wanted to identify friends and isolate enemies.
2. He didn’t want enemies to feel threatened.
Who did Bismarck identify as a potential enemy and what did he do next?
He identified Russia as a potential enemy and entered the Dual Alliance with Austria.
What was the Dual Alliance of 1879?
It was a military alliance between Germany and Austria. Primarily aimed at Russian threat.
What was the Triple Alliance of 1882?
An alliance between Germany, Austria, and now Italy. From German view, it was directed at France.
What was the Reinsurance Treaty of 1887?
A German peace treaty towards Russia. It was mostly just a goodwill gesture.
Why status did Italy want and what step were they going to take to move towards it?
Italy wanted to be seen as a world power and they wanted to take Tunisia.
What role did Germany play regarding Tunisia?
Bismarck secretly told the French that if they wanted to take Tunisia, Germany would not be opposed. France took Tunisia before Italy could get there.
How did Italy respond to the French taking Tunisia?
They asked the Germans to support them in Tunisia, and Germany said they would if Italy resolved their differences with Austria.
When did William I die and who took his place?
In 1888; his son Frederick III took position as Kaiser.
How did Frederick III being the Kaiser play out?
He died of throat cancer after about 100 days as Kaiser. Subsequently, William II took the throne.
What did William II think of Bismarck?
He admired him at first, but once he became Kaiser, he thought he knew better than Bismarck (which would’ve been a mighty feat).
What was William II’s foreign policy?
He embraced imperialism (in opposition to Bismarck). He said “Germany will have its place in the sun.”
What strained German-British relations going into WWI?
German naval buildup.
How did Bismarck lose position of Prime Minister?
William II forced him to resign.
What was the Franco-Russian Military Alliance of 1894?
A military alliance between France and Russia aimed at the threat of the Triple Alliance.
What was the Entente Cordial of 1904?
A promise of support between France and Britain. Each country promised to support the others’ colonial claims.
What was the Anglo-Russian Entente of 1907?
A promise of support between Britain and Russia. It settled colonial disputes between the two, all under French mediation. The 3 were identified as the “Triple Entente” afterwards.
What were the 3 main causes of WWI?
- Empire building
- Weak Ottoman Empire (the “sick man” of Europe)
- Secret Alliances
What region was known as the “powder keg of Europe?”
The Balkans, a region the Ottoman Empire was losing control of.
What did Serbia want with the Adriatic Sea?
As a landlocked country, Serbia wanted a sea outlet in the Adriatic, through Bosnia and Herzegovina.