Imperialism in Japan

Early Japan Japan – 4,000 island archipelago, 500 miles off the coast of China. Japan was close enough to China to feel their influence, but far enough away to feel safe from invasion.

Early Japan Country is not very suitable for farming, 12% of the country is able to be farmed. Natural resources such as coal, oil, and iron are in short supply.

Japanese Feudal Castle

The Samurai In Japan, the real power was in the hands of the shogun.  Much like in Europe, the shogun gave lands to his loyal vassals, who were called daimyo.  The daimyo then granted lands to their warriors, the samurai. 

European and Japanese Feudalism

The Tokugawa Shogunate

European Interest in Japan Portugal was the first European nation to make contact with the Japanese, introducing muskets and cannons into Japan, after centuries of using swords.

European Interest in Japan The Portuguese also brought Christian missionaries to Japan, whose success caused Tokugawa to repress Christianity and outlaw the religion in Japan, fearing rebellion, and beginning 200 year period of isolation for Japan.

European Interest in Japan Only Chinese and Dutch sailors were permitted to enter the Japanese port of Nagasaki, where they were highly controlled by the Shogunate. No western ideas were permitted outside of Nagasaki.

Japan: Like China, but Different! From 1600 to 1800, Japan was ruled by a feudal shogun & remained isolated from Europe In 1853, American Matthew Perry arrived with the U.S. navy & forced Japan to sign trade treaties

US Arrival in Japan (look at the difference in ships!)

Perry’s “Black Ships”

What Did the U. S. Want?? Coaling stations More trading partner A haven for ship-wrecked sailors

Imperialism in Japan Japan leaders learned from the mistakes of China & did not fight back; instead Japan modernized: Japan formed a new Meiji (“Enlightened”) Emperor The new gov’t began to industrialize, increased the Japanese army, & removed all foreigners

MEIJI  “Enlightened Rule” The Emperor Is “Restored” to Power MEIJI  “Enlightened Rule”

Meiji Reforms Land Redistribution Westernize the School System (Fr. & Ger.) Abolition of the feudal system Modern Banking System Modernize the Army (Prussian) Meiji Reforms Written Constitution (Germans) Build a Modern Navy (British) Human Rights & Religious Freedom Emperor Worship Intensified

After the Opium War of 1839-1842, Japan was convinced that it had to Open Up to the West.

New slogan: Japanese Spirit: Western Technology! European-style factory

Everything Western Was Fashionable!

Rich Nation, Strong Military Japan became a leading world power & started to imperialize in Asia: Defeated China (Sino-Japanese War) & Russia (Russo-Japanese War) to gain a new colony—Korea

Japan Annexes Korea

Japan Is a Player in China

But, Japanese Power Would Grow...

Don’t Forget South East Asia!

The Dutch East Indies were controlled by the Netherlands France & England fought for control in Burma, Malaysia, Vietnam, Siam, Cambodia, Laos The Philippines were taken over by the USA after the Spanish-American War The Dutch East Indies were controlled by the Netherlands

India China Japan Who Imperialized? How did Imperialists Gain Control? Negative Effects of Imperialism? Benefits of Imperialism?