Transformation in JAPAN The Impact of Imperialism

Recall Imperialism in China… What happened in the case of China? - did Chinese want Europeans involved in their economy? - how did other nations become so powerful in China? Japan’s response will be much different in the end

Early Japan In the 17th century, under the Tokugawa Shoguns (rulers at the time), Japan was isolated Foreigners were banned from coming in – they were considered barbarians (recall ethnocentric) Japanese were forbidden to travel to other countries Successful in keeping out Western society for 200 years In the early 19th century, still refused the request for trading

Tokugawa Shogun These were the rulers of Japan (1603 – 1868) Had strong control over people Followed a very traditional way of life (influence of Confucianism, Buddhism, and others) Feudal society with a ridged caste system EMPEROR (figure-head ruler) SHOGUN (actual ruler) DAIMYO (lords – owned land) SAMURAI (warrior-knights) SKILLED WORKERS (farmers, artisans) MERCHANTS Bushido code of conduct (relationships & loyalty to samurai)

What is going to be the problem? Trade Why is the West (Europeans & Americans) so interested in trading with Japan? Same reasons as Africa, India & China What is going to be the problem? Japan is isolated & not interested

Answer to the Problem: Commodore Matthew Perry, 1853 US sends Perry to Tokyo with 4 steamships Japanese were impressed & scared of the technology on the ships (guns & cannons) Trade with us… or else!

Perry’s Black Ships Perry “Opens Up” Japan to trade

What did the U.S. want? Coaling stations More trading partners A place for ship-wrecked sailors

Extraterritorial Rights Treaty of Kanagawa 1854: US – Japan Treaty Two of Japan’s ports now open to trade By 1860, Japan (like China) gave foreigners permission to trade at the special ports Extraterritorial Rights

Japan’s Dilemma: China’s fate or Modernize? Tradition or Modernization?

Japan Learns a Lesson from a Neighbor In 1862, just before the start of the Meiji period, Tokugawa sent officials and scholars to China to study the situation there. A Japanese recorded in his diary from Shanghai… “The Chinese have become servants to the foreigners. Sovereignty may belong to China but in fact it's no more than a colony of Great Britain and France.”

Japan did not want to experience the same problems China did: Lesson Continued… Japan did not want to experience the same problems China did: - “unequal treaties” with the Western nations of Europe & the U.S. - Opium Wars 1839-1842 Japan was convinced that it had to Open Up to the West to avoid the same problems of China …Japan decides to modernize

Emperor Mutsuhito Japanese were angry that Tokugawa gave into foreign demands  overthrow of shogun 1867 Emperor Mutsuhito who was once just a figurehead, now takes full power He is only 15 years old Named his reign Meiji – “enlightened rule”

Political Cartoon Enlightened Half-Enlightened Un-Enlightened

Meiji Restoration Meiji Era 1867 – 1912 Emperor restored to power (instead of feudal Shoguns) Emperor Mutsuhito’s reign How does Japan avoid being imperialized? They adopted new ways to compete with the imperialists powers of the West Meiji Restoration = A period of Westernization and Modernization

Modernization & Westernization Sends statesmen to Europe & North America to study foreign ways Germany’s strong centralized government & constitution were models for Japan Modernized their military to be like the British navy & German army They invite western military officers to train Japanese forces (What movie depicted this?) Adopted the American public education – all children must attend school They even enjoyed Western style of dress!

Industrialization 1872 built railroads Laid telegraph lines Formed banks Increased coal production Built thousands of factories Included modern industries of shipbuilding & weapon production Fully industrialized in less than 50 years

Military Strategy – now they have the technology to do it Japanese Imperialism After modernizing, Japan now sees itself as an equal to Europeans (socially, economically, & politically) By 1894 extraterritorial rights end in Japan They now need to protect their power & build their empire So why did they imperialize? Industrial Revolution – needed more raw materials & new markets to sell their things Nationalism – felt power & pride, then wanted to expand their empire to prove it Military Strategy – now they have the technology to do it Disprove Social Darwinism – white Europeans were not the only “fittest” in the world

Japanese Imperialism: Sino-Japanese War Japan vs. China 1876: Japan Attacks Korea – forces Korea to open three ports to Japanese trade China also had interests in Korea Japan drove the Chinese out of Korea & destroyed the Chinese navy Japanese surprise all Western powers with their win Japan also began to take over Manchuria 1895: Peace Treaty – Japan gains its first colonies, Taiwan & Pescadores Islands

Japanese Imperialism: Russo-Japanese War Russians & Japanese fighting over Manchuria (a Chinese territory) Japanese would recognize Russian rights in Manchuria, if Russia stays out of Korea 1904: Japan attacks Russia Japan won on land & captured most of Russia’s naval fleet 1905: Peace Treaty – Japan gets to keep the territories that they captured, Russia forced to withdraw from Manchuria & must stay out of Korea

Japanese Imperialism in Korea 1905: Korea becomes a protectorate of Japan (had their own internal government but under the control of the outside power) 1907: Korean internal government is to weak, control is given up to Japan 1910: Japan officially annexed Korea (adding the territory) Under Japanese control until 1945

SIMILARITIES: China & Japan Comparison How does Japan’s response to imperialism compare to the Chinese response to imperialism? SIMILARITIES: China & Japan Both had well-established traditional values Both initially resisted change Both opposed Western imperialism

DIFFERENCES: China & Japan Comparison How does Japan’s response to imperialism compare to the Chinese response to imperialism? DIFFERENCES: China & Japan CHINA Remained traditional Lost numerous territorial conflicts Granted other nations spheres of influence within China JAPAN Considers modernization to be necessary Borrows and adapts Western ways Strengthened its economic & military power

The Main Idea Japan followed the model of Western powers by industrializing and expanding their foreign influence

20th Century Legacy Japan was the only Non-Western (European & U.S.) Power to play a major role in WWI and WWII