Japanese Expansion in East Asia Paper 1 Case Study 1

Matthew Perry

U.S. naval officer who led the expedition that forced Japan to open its ports to trade through the Treaty of Kanagawa (1854), ending Japan’s isolationist policy.

Meiji Restoration (1868-1912)

The political revolution that restored imperial rule under Emperor Meiji, leading to rapid modernization, industrialization, and military expansion in Japan.

Tokugawa Shogunate

The feudal military government that ruled Japan before the Meiji Restoration.

Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895)

The conflict between Japan and China over Korea, resulting in Japan’s victory and territorial gains.

Treaty of Shimonoseki (1895)

The treaty ending the Sino-Japanese War, granting Japan control over Taiwan and influence in Korea.

Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)

The war between Russia and Japan over territorial expansion in Manchuria and Korea, leading to Japan’s victory and recognition as a global power.

Treaty of Portsmouth (1905)

The treaty brokered by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, ending the Russo-Japanese War and granting Japan control over Port Arthur and influence in Manchuria.

Twenty-One Demands (1915)

Japan’s aggressive demands to expand its control over China during World War I.

Washington Naval Conference (1921-1922)

An international agreement that aimed to limit naval expansion, placing restrictions on Japan’s fleet size.

Militarism

The belief in maintaining a strong military and being prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.

Imperialism

A policy of extending a country’s power and influence through diplomacy or military force.

Nationalism

A strong identification with and devotion to one’s nation, often accompanied by the belief in it’s superiority over others.

Ultranationalism

An extreme form of nationalism that promotes national superiority and advocates for aggressive expansion.

Bushido

The samurai code of honor, which influenced Japan’s militaristic culture and wartime ideology.

Shōwa Era (1926-1989)

The period of Emperor Hirohito’s reign, marked by Japan’s aggressive expansion and World War II.

Zaibatsu

Large Japanese business conglomerates that had significant influence over economic and military policies.

Pan-Asianism

The ideology promoting Asian unity against Western imperialism, often used as justification for Japanese expansion.

Economic Autarky

The idea of economic self-sufficiency, which influenced Japan’s expansion to secure resources.

Racial Superiority

A belief, promoted by Japanese nationalists, that Japan had a special destiny to lead Asia.

Manchurian Crisis (1931-1933)

The Japanese invasion of Manchuria, leading to the establishment of the puppet state of Manchukuo.

Mukden Incident (1931)

A staged event used by Japan as a pretext to justify the invasion of Manchuria.

Establishment of Manchukuo (1932)

Japan’s creation of a puppet state in Manchuria, led by the former Qing emperor Puyi.

Lytton Report (1932)

The League of Nations’ investigation into the Manchurian Crisis, which condemned Japan’s actions but failed to impose meaningful sanctions.

Tanggu Truce (1933)

An agreement between China and Japan that recognized Japanese control over Manchuria.

Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945)

A full-scale conflict between China and Japan, beginning with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident.

Marco Polo Bridge Incident (1937)

A skirmish between Japanese and Chinese troops that escalated into the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Nanjing Massacre (1937-1938)

The mass killing and atrocities committed by Japanese forces in Nanjing, China.

Wang Jingwei Regime (1940-1945)

A pro-Japanese puppet government established in Nanjing during the occupation of China.

Tripartite Pact (1940)

A military alliance between Japan, Nazi Germany, and Fascist Italy, solidifying the Axis Powers.

Anti-Comintern Pact (1936)

An agreement between Japan and Nazi Germany against the Soviet-backed Communist International.

Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

Japan’s ideological justification for its expansion, claiming to create a self-sufficient Asian bloc free from Western influence.

Occupation of Indochina (1940-1941)

Japan’s takeover of French Indochina, escalating tensions with the U.S. and Britain.

Pearl Harbor Attack (1941)

Japan’s surprise attack on the U.S. naval base, leading to U.S. entry into World War II.

League of Nations

The international organization created after World War I, which failed to prevent Japanese aggression.

London Naval Treaty (1930)

A treaty aimed at naval disarmament that Japan later rejected in 1936.

Stimson Doctrine (1932)

A U.S. policy declaring that it would not recognize territorial acquisitions achieved by force, aimed at Japan’s actions in Manchuria.

Lend-Lease Act (1941)

A U.S. program that provided aid to China to resist Japanese aggression.

Nine-Power Treaty (1922)

An agreement reaffirming the Open Door Policy in China, which Japan later violated.

Economic Embargo (1941)

The U.S. and Britain imposed sanctions on Japan, cutting off oil and raw materials.

ABCD Encirclement

A term used by Japan to describe the economic blockade imposed by the U.S., Britain, China, and the Dutch.

Emperor Hirohito

The emperor of Japan during its expansionist period and World War II.

The emperor of Japan during its expansionist period and World War II.

The Prime Minister of Japan (1941-1944) and a key architect of Japan’s military expansion.

Isoroku Yamamoto

The Japanese admiral who planned the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Chiang Kai-shek

The leader of the Republic of China and the Nationalist forces opposing Japan.

Mao Zedong

The leader of the Chinese Communist forces, who fought both Japan and the Nationalists.

Puyi

The last emperor of China and the puppet ruler of Manchukuo under Japanese control.

Fumimaro Konoe

The Japanese Prime Minister during key periods of expansion (1937-1941).

Wang Jingwei

A Chinese politician who collaborated with Japan and led the pro-Japanese government in occupied China.