JAPAN AS A WORLD

POWER

JAPAN MODERNIZES• Japan has been isolationist since the era

of colonization.• In the 1850’s, the shogun stepped down

ending military dictatorships that had controlled Japan since the 12th century.

• Commodore Matthew Perry (U.S. Navy) is sent with naval steam warships to Japan to force the Japanese to open trade with the U.S. (1854)

1. Want coal to refuel steam ships heading to Asia

2. Want safe treatment for shipwrecked Americans

3. Trade – new markets for goods• The Japanese fear the massive boats

and threat of attack on the city of Edo, agree to trade with the U.S.

MODERNIZING JAPAN• Imperial family takes control, emperor

begins studying Western culture: (known as the Meiji Restoration)

1. Developed a constitutional monarchy2. Reformed the military (no more samaris)3. Universal public education4. Began industrialization 5. Developed better communication systems

within Japan

JAPANESE CONTROL OF KOREA• Korea was under Chinese control• Japan forces Korea to begin trading

(1874)• Japan and China agree to keep their

militaries out of Korea• Korea begins rebelling and China sends

in troops.• Japan sees this as breaking the

agreement, so they attack in 1894 (a.k.a the Sino-Japanese War)

• Japan destroyed the Chinese navy, kicked the Chinese out of Korea, and gets a foothold on Manchuria (mainland Asia)

• Wanted resources for industry and new markets for trade

RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR• Japan and Russia are the strongest

powers in Asia and both want control of trade in Korea.

• In 1904, Japan attacks Russia, destroys the Russian navy, and kicks the Russians out of Korea.

• Russia loses in 1905: first time a European super-power loses to an Asian nation

• Establishes Japan as a world power.

HOW DOES THIS C

ARTOON

ILLUSTRATE

THE RUSSO-

JAPANESE WAR?