1. Transformation in JAPAN
The Impact of Imperialism

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

6. 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

7. 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!

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

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

10. 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

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

12. 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.”

13. 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
Japan was convinced that it had to Open Up to the West to avoid the same problems of China
…Japan decides to modernize

14. 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”

15. Political Cartoon
Enlightened Half-Enlightened Un-Enlightened

16. 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

17. 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!

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

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

29. 20th Century Legacy
Japan was the only Non-Western (European & U.S.) Power to play a major role in WWI and WWII