Japan Modernizes Imperialism in East Asia

Background Similar to China, Japan shut itself off from almost all foreign contact with the exception of trade with China and Dutch traders from Indonesia and diplomatic contact with Korea. Similar to China, Japan shut itself off from almost all foreign contact with the exception of trade with China and Dutch traders from Indonesia and diplomatic contact with Korea. Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa shoguns and was a peaceful country for two centuries. Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa shoguns and was a peaceful country for two centuries.

Factors for imperialism Japan’s modernization left the country with several dozen warships and 500,000 well- trained, well-armed soldiers – it had become the largest military power in Asia. Japan’s modernization left the country with several dozen warships and 500,000 well- trained, well-armed soldiers – it had become the largest military power in Asia. Yamagata Aritomo, a leader of the Meiji oligarchs, believed that Japan must define a “sphere of influence” – Korea, Manchuria, and part of China – in order to remain independent. Yamagata Aritomo, a leader of the Meiji oligarchs, believed that Japan must define a “sphere of influence” – Korea, Manchuria, and part of China – in order to remain independent.

Who invaded? Korea – Sino- Japanese War Korea – Sino- Japanese War Manchuria – Russo- Japanese War Manchuria – Russo- Japanese War Japanese When China broke their agreement with Japan of not interfering in Korea, Japanese troops went to Korea to fight the Chinese. The Japanese drove the Chinese out and signed a peace treaty where Japan gained Taiwan and the Pescadores Islands. Eventually Japan annexed Korea. Manchuria, under Chinese rule was fought over between Russia and Japan. Again the Japanese succeeded and the Treaty of Portsmouth gave Japan its conquered territories and forced Russia to withdraw from Manchuria and stay out of Korea.

Effects: Positive Japanese modernized Korean factories and transportation and communication systems. Japanese modernized Korean factories and transportation and communication systems. Japan became one of the highest world colonial powers Japan became one of the highest world colonial powers

Effects: Negative Harsh rulers Harsh rulers –Forbade public protest –Shut down Korean newspapers and took over Korean schools –Gave Korean land to Japanese settlers –Did not allow Koreans to go into business in Korea Nonviolent protests by Korean citizens Nonviolent protests by Korean citizens Growing Korean nationalist movement Growing Korean nationalist movement

What has happened since? Japan is still a important player in world trade. Japan is still a important player in world trade. –World’s fourth largest exporter and sixth largest importer It is a major economic power It is a major economic power It has the 10 th largest population in the world It has the 10 th largest population in the world

Overall… For the people living in the areas that Japan conquered (Korea), the effects of imperialism were by far more negative than positive. Japan’s rule on Korea was an example of imperialism at its worst. However, for Japan, the effects of imperialism were great because it became a high imperialist power. For the people living in the areas that Japan conquered (Korea), the effects of imperialism were by far more negative than positive. Japan’s rule on Korea was an example of imperialism at its worst. However, for Japan, the effects of imperialism were great because it became a high imperialist power.