Round 1
What are two events relative to imperialism?
1894-95 - Sino-Japanese War
1904-05 - Russo-Japanese War
1910 - Japan annexes Korea
1931 - Japan invades Manchuria
1937 - Japan invades China
What reason did Perry give for his visit to Japan on July 7, 1853?
Commodore Perry states he would like to establish friendly relations with Japan.
How did the Meiji Constitution strengthen the central government?
The constitution ended the power of the Shogunate and gave power to the emperor who would have supreme command of the Army and Navy.
How would Japan get the materials needed? Cite the source.
Doc 7, excerpt from Japanese minister, Baron Kentaro Kaneko:
"We must obtain raw materials from them and manufacture them for the Asiatic markets."
What are two events relative to isolation?
1635 - Closed Country Edict
1639 - Expulsion of Portuguese traders
On March 31, 1854, the U.S. and Japan made an agreement (known as the Kanagawa Agreement). What was Japan giving to the U.S. in this agreement?
Japanese ports of Simoda and Hakodade were opened to receiving American ships to be supplied with wood, water, and coal (fuel)
Japanese were to assist shipwrecked American sailors
Certain Japanese ports were opened to American trade
What did emperor, with new powers, plan to do and why?
First study the institutions of industrial nations, adopt the appropriate ones, and reform the government so that it would be on equal status as the other industrial nations in order to fairly compete with them.
What reasons did Japan give for declaring war on Russia?
1. Russian takeover of Korea threatens the safety of Japan
2. Japan has interests in Korea for their Empire
What are two events relative to modernization?
1889 - Meiji Constitution is adopted
Was the Kanagawa Agreement evidence of a lessening Japanese isolation? Explain.
Yes, the agreement indicates that Japan is open to trade with the U.S. at certain ports and to support American sailors on their journey to Asia.
What economic changes did the Japanese minister recommend and why?
Japan must industrialize because it has limited space and resources for agriculture. Additionally, industrialization would give them a stronger defense against other industrialized nations who are seeking to dominate the Pacific (Asia).
Why would Japan want to acquire Korea and Manchuria?
Because they are geographically close to Japan and contain many valuable resources such as copper, coal, and petroleum.
How did Japan emerge as an industrial world power, going from isolation to modernization to imperialism?
Japan moved away from isolation when they opened trade with U.S. at key ports in 1853. The opening of trade as well as their strategic location made them a target for industrial countries. Under the Meiji government, the emperor was given full powers and the Meiji began to industrialize in order to compete with the West. With limited resources from their islands, they sought raw materials from annexing other territories in Asia.