1. Aim: Explain why Japan ended its isolation

2. Japan Ends Its Isolation
Early 17th Century, Japan isolated itself from foreigners
Early 19th Century, Westerners tried to convince the Japanese to open their ports to trade
1853: US Commodore Matthew Perry took 4 ships into Tokyo Harbor
Massive ships and canons astounded the Japanese
Perry asked Shogun to allow free trade between United States & Japan
1854, Treaty of Kanagawa: Japan opened 2 ports at which US Ships could take on supplies
Japanese angry with Shogun & forced him to step down
For next 45 years, Japan under Meiji era 2

3. The Meiji Era
The Meiji emperor realized that the best way to counter Western influence was to modernize
Sent diplomats to Europe & North America to study Western ways
Japanese chose what they believed to be the best that Western civilization had to offer and adapt it
Attempted to imitate European powers as they modernized their military
Adopted the American system of public education & required all children attend school
Emperor supported following Western Industrialization
Early 20th Century, Japan’s economy modernized
Country built first railroad line in 1872 3

4. Imperial Japan
1890: Japan had several dozen warships and 500,000 well-trained soldiers
Japan had gained military, political, & economic strength
Sought to eliminate the extraterritorial rights of foreigners & show the world that they were a powerful nation
1876, Japan forced Korea to open 3 ports to Japanese trade
1885, Japan & China signed agreement that pledged that both countries wouldn’t send their armies into Korea
June 1894, China broke that agreement which led to the Sino-Japanese War (Japan Won)
Russia and Japan went to war over Manchuria
Ruso-Japanese War- Japan drove Russian troops out of Korea and captured most of their fleet 4