I: The Origins of Japan's Foreign Policy/Impact of Nationalism and Militarism
Opium wars
- 1839-42 and 1856-60 - The aftermath of the wars is important because it served as a cautionary tale for Japan when deciding how to deal with the West. - China's defeat by the British, forcing China to become a semi-colonial country.
1871 Treaty of Tientsin
- A "friendship trade treaty" signed by China and Japan to fix tariffs and encourage trade. It was in effect until the first Sino-Japanese war 1894-95
1894 Sino-Japanese War and the Triple Intervention
- In 1894, Japan defeated China as a result of the modernizations ordered by the Meiji after Japan signed its first treaty with a Western power, the Treaty of Kanagawa. With adopted German military tactics and a new navy established for Japan with the help of the British, Japan was able to defeat China and establish itself as a world power. In the Treaty of Shimonoseki, Japan was given by China the Pescadores Islands, Formosa and Liaodong Peninsula. - Germany, Russia, France stepped in and forced Japan to give up Liaodong Peninsula due to their concerns of Japan's growing power. Russia took Liaodong for itself and Germany took over Shandong Province. France and Great Britain then took advantage of China's weakened state to grab territories for themselves. Thus, Japan's nationalism and militarism grew stronger out of frustration and a desire to be treated as an equal by the West.
1904 Russo-Japanese War
- Japan and Russia clashed over their interests in Korea (considered part of the Manchuria region), igniting a war between the two when Japan attacked Russia. - The Treaty of Portsmouth ended the war. The war's victory for Japan was very important, earning the respect of the West and other Asian countries. It also affirmed Japan's belief in itself that it was the destiny of Japan to rule Asia.
1854 Treaty of Kanagawa
- The treaty is important because it was Japan's first treaty with a Western nation and marked the end of Japan's period of seclusion (1639-1854). It also impacted Japan tremendously internally when in protest of the perceived Shogun's shame and failure, political power was returned to the emperor (known as the Meiji Restoration).
The Shogun
- Up until the 1800s, Japan's policy to remain isolated as a way to protect itself from the threat of Christianity was the policy of Japan's rulers, the Shogun. - Although the emperor was still officially the ruler, in practice the power lay in the hands of the Shogun who was a military dictator.
League of Nations
- apan became a full member of the League in 1920 under Prime Minister Hara during the "Taisho Democracy" era of liberal reforms. Japan's membership in the League is important because it confirms that Japan's expansion and militarism spirit were interrupted for a time by its genuine and repeated actions at international cooperation. - The League is also important because the it failed to punish any of Japan's expansions (as well as those of Italy and Germany), which encouraged Japan's expansion desires. Japan left the League in 1931 over the Manchurian incident.
1854 Commodore Perry and the Treaty of Kanagawa
- gave rise to Japanese nationalism when Japan realized that its previous policy set by its military dictator, the Shogun, to keep Japan isolated as a means to protect it from the perceived threat of Christianity, had ended and the Shogun at the time chose to open Japanese ports to foreigners - US naval officer who in 1853 arrived on the shores of Japan, determined to open Japan to the US demands for trade
Treaty of Portsmouth 1905
- the Treaty gained control of Korea for Japan and much of south Manchuria, including Port Arthur. - American opinion largely sided with Japan, believing that Japan was fighting Russian aggression, and thus were "justified" , and that Japan was committed to the "open door" policy (1899 US statement of principles that all countries trading with China should have equal privileges). - Ended Russian interest in Manchuria
What were the origins of Japan's nationalism and militarism?
-Nationalism emerged in the 1800s with its first contact with the West. -In 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry arrived on the shores of Japan determined to open it to US demands for trade. Nationalism/militarism: 1. The determination to transform Japan into a Western style power, which was linked to the desire for equality with Western powers 2. The need to obtain raw materials and to secure markers in East Asia, and to stop other countries from doing this 3. The need for strategic security 4. The actions of the Western powers Growing popular support for militarism and expansionism within Japan
How did Japan benefit from WWI?
1. Japan's ambitions in the 19th century were focused on gaining territory from China. WWI presented a prime opportunity to move on that ambition. With Germany occupied, Japan declared war on Germany in 1914 and seized its colonies in the Shandong Peninsula in the north of China (ahh! A chance to get revenge for the Triple Intervention, when Germany, Russia, and France stepped in after the first Sino-Japanese war and tool Germany took Japan's spoil of war- the Shandong Province- for itself). 2. Japan then issued the "Twenty One Demands" to China, forcing them to recognize Japanese control of the Shandong Peninsula and grant Japan extra commerce privileges in Manchuria, defying America's "Open Door" policy. 3. The Japanese thought WWI had brought another opportunity with the Bolshevik revolution, creating a distraction so Japan could grab land in Vladivostok, an Eastern port and tried to create further Russian chaos by supporting the Whites in the civil war. Japanese gains were solidified at Versailles Conference in 1919 when the delegates confirmed that Japan gained the former German Pacific islands as a mandate and Germany's economic privileges in the Shandong Peninsula.
Commodore Perry (USA) arrives in Japan
1853
Treaty of Kanagawa signed between Japan and the USA
1854
Emperors powers are restored
1867
The Treaty of Tientsin is signed with China
1871
The Sino-Japanese War
1894
The Anglo-Japanese Alliance
1902
The Russo-Japanese War
1904
Russo-Japanese war ends with Treaty of Portsmouth
1905
Japan annexes Korea
1910
Taisho Period
1912-1926- Corresponds to the rule of Emperor Taisho, who, because of health issues, really held less power than an old oligarchy group of statesman, which led to the "Taisho Democracy"- an era of liberal democracy.
Japan seizes German possessions in Shandong
1914
The "Twenty-One Demands" are made on China
1915
The Siberian Expedition
1918
The Treaty of Versailles confirms Japan's war gains
1919
The Washington Naval Conference
1921
The Peace Preservation Law
1925
Showa Period
1926-89- corresponds to the reign of Emperor Hirohito 1926- Hirohito becomes emperor. The early part of Showa period (1926-1945)is known for its aggressive rise in militarism. The later Showa period is known for Japanese spectacular recovery from defeat to become a leading world ally to the US and technical powerhouse and manufacture.
How was Japan limited in its gains post WWI?
It failed to get racial equality clauses into the League of Nations because the USA and Britain feared doing so would encourage "the yellow peril" -an increase in Japanese immigration.
Anglo-Japanese Alliance 1902
The alliance was extremely important because it further strengthen Japan's position, was the first time a military alliance had been signed between a Western and non-Western power, and ended Japan's diplomatic isolation since it's war spoils from the Sino-Japanese war were taken by the Western Powers in the Triple Intervention.
What was the impact on Japanese foreign policy of international cooperation when the US passed the 1924 Immigration Act, that limited immigration from all countries to 150,000 a year, but specifically excluded "Asiatics"
These moves were not popular, and when the West greatly offended Japan with the immigration act of 1924, it played into the militarist in Japan who were able to gain momentum to return Japan towards expansionism, militarism, and ultimately, a military dictatorship under Emperor Hirohito.
Shidehara Kijuro
Under Shidehara as prime minister, Japan respected the political independence of China, returned the Shandong Peninsula to China that was seized in 1914, restricted its naval size, and cooperated with many other Western countries in several treaties. These moves were also significant in increasing opposition as many saw Shidehara's policies and acts as a betrayal of Japan's interests, growing the desire to return to nationalism and militarism.
Internal effects of the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US in 1854
When Japan opened its ports to the US in the treaty of Kanagawa, it marked the end of Japan's period of seclusion (1639-1854). It also impacted Japan tremendously internally, returning political power to the emperor (known as the Meiji Restoration) when outrage against the Shogunate for signing the treaty with foreigners resulted in the overthrow of the Shogun. The Meiji or "enlightened" emperor initiated major reforms in all areas of life, including dismantling the feudal system and modernizing the army. The modernization of the army enabled Japan to adopt German military tactics and establish a navy, enabling Japan to defeat China in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-95, positioning itself as a world power and fueling Japanese nationalism and militarism.
