1.3 Why did Japan Emerge as a World Power and what was the impact on international relations?

Chapter 1.3 Japanese Imperialism and its Impact on International Relations

Anglo-Japanese Alliance

First time that Japan had been recognized as an equal by a major European power and clearly established Japan's emergence on the global stage

Attack on Port Arthur

Japanese warship surprise attacked Russian ships starting the Russo-Japanese War

Bartering

The trading of goods without the use of money; exchanging one thing in payment for another

Black Dragon Society

Japanese extremist patriotic organization

Consular Courts

a court presided over by foreign officials to protect the interests of their countrymen, who were trading or working in a country such as Japan or China. These courts were recognized by treaty.

Fear of foreigners

Caused Japan to close its borders to all foreigners and prevented citizens from leaving

First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895)

Dispute over who should control Korea. Japan quickly overran Korea, Manchuria and parts of China. Japan wins

General staff

a group of officers responsible for planning operations and administering an army

Japan opens to trade

An American whaling ship needed access to Japanese ports but were confronted with resistance. The USA sent warships and since the Samurai were no match for modern guns, Japan opened its borders for trade

Meji Restoration

Period in which Japan experienced rapid modernization in order to resist the imperial powers

Military budget

1/3 of Japan's national budget was spent on the army and navy

Military Strength

Military service was compulsory for all adult males. Japan possessed 28 modern warships. Children were taught to be patriotic and obey the emperor.

Private Enterprise

Businesses owned by and managed by individuals, free from government restrictions

Reasons the US wanted to trade with Japan

1. American commercial interests were pressuring the US government to open Japanese markets for their rapidly expanding industrial output.

2. The American whaling fleet needed access to Japanese ports in order to take on vital supplies, especially coal.

3. In 1849, the USA sent a warship, USS Preble, to Japan to rescue American sailors who had been shipwrecked off the Japanese coast. The Japanese were reluctant to let the Preble into port, but after the threat of force it successfully retrieved the sailors. The USA was angered by the fact that it was clear the sailors had been harshly treated by the Japanese.

Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)

Mostly naval war resulting in a Russian loss

Social Structure prior to 1871

Rigid class structure the Samurai and their leader, the shogun, at the top. Outdated farming, transportation, and industries. Economy based on bartering

The Twenty-One Demands

A document delivered by Japan to China in 1915 in which Japan made a variety of demands of China ranging from territorial concessions to the right of Japan to appoint "advisors" to the Chinese government.

Treaty of Portsmouth (1905)

Negotiated by Teddy Roosevelt, Ended the Russo-Japanese War, Ended Russian influence in Manchuria and established Japan's rights in Korea

Treaty of Shimonoseki (1895)

Japan gains Formosa and Port Arthur. Korea is declared independent from Chinese influence

Triple Intervention

France, Russia, and Germany forced Japan to and over control of Port Arthur to Russia

Ultimatum

a final demand that, if rejected, will lead to serious consequences such as war

Universal conscription

The law by which all young males - and nowadays young females - have to serve for a period in the armed services

Western Influence

Developed western styles of education, form of government, army, navy, and industry

Western powers

a term used to refer to the European countries with the most powerful economies, armies, and navies, and the USA

Westernizers

Those who believed that the Japanese state should modernize along European lines