PT2: Modernization in Japan

Japan in the early 17th century

-Tokugawa shoguns ruled for centuries

-Tightly controlled feudal system

-Isolated; little interest in dealings with the west

Only port open in Japan in early 17th century

Nagasaki, which was open for 3 months of the year

What type of system did Japan have in the early 17th century?

A feudal system

How did the Japanese feudal system work?

Shoguns gave land to daimyos, who had peasants work for him under the protection of his samurai army

Japanese vs. European feudal systems

Very similar

-Shoguns = King

-Daimyo = Lord/Noble

-Samurai = Knight

-Peasant = Peasant

What incident forced Japan to acknowledge the interests of outside nations?

Commodore Matthew Perry was sent by President Filmore to sail to Tokyo Harbor with a fleet of ships

Why did America send the fleet to Japan?

To convince Japan to open their ports to trade

Why was Japan intimidated by the American fleet?

They were black steam ships that showed Japan how technologically advanced the rest of the world was

What did Perry demand of Japan?

For trade/open ports or else he would return with more ships

Effect of the Treaty of Kanagawa

Many nations followed - like China, Japan granted them permission to trade

What did Meiji do for Japan?

He deemed it necessary to modernize the country

What steps did the Japanese take to modernize?

Japan sent diplomats to Europe and North America to learn from the West.

They adopted the best Western ideas into their society.

Modern industries were developed.

Western ways Japan adopted

-Government (constitution) was modeled after Germany

-Education (idea of universal education) adopted from the United States

-Army modernized based on Germany

-Navy modernized based on Britain

Modern industries developed in Japan

-Railroad lines

-Coal production

-Tea processing

-Silk production

-Shipbuilding

What differences did China and Japan have in their acceptance of the West?

-China: Resisted Western ways and held onto traditional ways, was overrun by foreigners

-Japan: Initially resisted, but accepted modernization and Western ways and became an imperial power that wanted to be on par with the west

Why were China and Japan interested in Korea?

They saw Korea as a trading partner and a military outpost

Result of the Sino-Japanese War

Japan defeated China

Effects of the Sino-Japanese War

-Chinese were driven out of Korea

-Marked destruction of Chinese army

-Foothold for Japan in Manchuria

-1895 treaty gave Japan Taiwan and Pescadores Islands (neighboring islands)

-Start of Japanese colonial empire

-Russia and Japan emerge as major enemies in Eastern Asia

First Japanese colony

Taiwan

What areas were Russia and Japan both interested in?

Manchuria and Korea

What caused the Russo-Japanese War?

-Russia was interested in Korea and Manchuria

-Japan offered to recognize Russia's rights to Manchuria so long as they stayed out of Korea

-Russia, however, refused

-February 1904, Japan launched a surprise attack on Russian ships anchored off the coast of Manchuria; captured most of Russian Pacific fleet

Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)

War fought between Russia and Japan over Manchuria and Korea

Result of the Russo-Japanese War

Japan defeated Russia, humiliating Russia

Effects of the Russo-Japanese War

-Russian navy destroyed

-Treaty of Portsmouth

-Russia withdrew from Manchuria and had to stay out of Korea

-Captured territories went to Japan

With Russia and China out of the way...

Japan attacked Korea with a vengence

How did the Japanese rule Korea?

Korea was deeply repressed

-Shut down newspapers

-Took over schools

-Korean language and history replaced with Japanese

-Land/farms taken from the Koreans and given to Japanese settlers

-No Korean business

What did Japan's rule over Korea cause?

A strong sense of nationalism rose in Korea