Japanese history

Isolation Throughout Japanese history, Japan had stayed isolated from foreigners – Just like China

Japan vs. China Japan is similar to what culture? Why? -cultural diffusion from China – examples: Character writing (Kana), Confucianism, Zen Buddhism – cooking, gardening,

Isolation Throughout Japanese history, Japan had stayed isolated from foreigners – Just like China

Japan vs. China Japan is similar to what culture? Why? -cultural diffusion from China – examples: Character writing (Kana), Confucianism, Zen Buddhism – cooking, gardening,

Early History Small clans Early rulers: Yamato  never very strong but never overthrown During the middle ages, landowners became very powerful and Japan settled into its own feudal type system – Rice Tax Nobles (Diamyos)rise in power

Tokugawa Shogun Military leader of Japan during the Middle Ages Emperor power declines (figure head)

Bushido Japanese Samurai code of warrior **Similar to European Knights » code of Chivalry

End of Isolation- Perry visits Japan During the 19 th Century, The West wanted to begin trading with China and Japan Japan had refused as did China but in 1853, they were persuaded. 1853: US Commodore Matthew Perry brought a fleet to Japan with a letter from the US presidents asking Japan to open up its ports otherwise he would come back with a bigger fleet if demands were not met

1854 Treaty of Kanagawa  two ports were opened to the US By 1860, Japan opened ports to others.

How would the Japanese feel about being forced to do this? They realized they were weak and Tokugawa Shogun realized his time was over -Japan looked to the new emperor Mutsuhito for pride and nationalism -He chose the name “ Meji ” which means enlightened ruler – “ if you can ’ t beat the west, be the west ”

Meiji = Modernization/ Industrialization Made Japan a modern economic and World power by creating industry

Modernized Japan Schools were modelled after the US Army of Germany Navy of Britain Germany ’ s government Industrialized like west – Build factories – Build railroads

Conclusion With modernization came more money and more POWER Japan by felt equal with West  wanted to show their power to the world Began to follow Western footsteps of imperialism

What is imperialism? taking over a territory of a weaker nation by a stronger nation ( bully effect) and using them for resources

Sino- Japanese War 1876 Japan vs. China – Like western countries, Japan forced Korea to open up ports but China protested  both agreed not to fight but China sent in troops and Japan responded and defeated China easily » Japan got control of Taiwan and other islands

This left Russia realizing Japan was a major power in Asia and they challenged their supremacy.

Russo-Japanese War Both wanted control of Manchuria Japan offered to recognize Russian rights in Manchuria if Russia stayed out of Korea They did not and war started Japan won and the US negotiated a treaty between both countries – Japan gained complete control of Korea » Annexation of Korea

WWI- Japan fought with Allies (US, Russia, Great Britain and France) We won the war but Japan received nothing for their help in winning World War 1 They were disappointed and their relationship with the West declined.

Japan continued to imperialize in order to obtain more resources and power. They faced major depression during the 1920 ’ s due to a major earthquake and depression in West. REMEMBER Japan needed resources and were not a self sufficient country because of their geography.

WWII During WWII Japan aligned with axis powers of Germany and Italy. They shared betrayal with others. Japan and Italy were left out of WWI treaty.

December 7 th, 1941 Pearl Harbor Attack Why did the Japanese do this? -Japan wanted dominance in the Pacific Ocean. They figured if they took out harbors in Pearl Harbor which contained submarines, carriers, and destroyers, US would not be able to help other nations in Pacific because it would be too far away. – Successful attack except for one thing: Japan did not count on Air-craft carriers not being at Pearl HarborThese would later allow US to attack Japan (island hopping) and eventually drop the A-bomb

Results A-bomb dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima and Japan was rebuilt by the US – Emperor was no longer seen as divine – A creation of a mixed economy like US – -Rebuilt into economic power of technology