Chapter 12 Section 2: Modernization in Japan

Early 17th century – Japan cut off almost all contact with outside nations

- Repeatedly refused to receive foreign officials 

Tokuguwa shoguns ruled over a rigid feudal system

- Shogun – military dictator that ruled over Japan from 1185 to 1868 to who samurai pledged their loyalty

Peace and prosperity reigned for two centuries

1853 - U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in Japan with a letter from President Millard Fillmore, asking for free trade between the US and Japan

Delivered with a threat - Perry would return in one year with a larger fleet to receive Japan's reply to the letter

Treaty of Kanagawa (1854)—Japan opens two ports to American ships

By 1860, Japan has trade agreements with many nations 

Anger over these trade deals forced shogun to step down in 1867

Meiji era—time of reform begun by Meiji emperor, Mutsuhito (lasted 45 years)

Meiji emperor reformed Japan, modernizes using Western models (education, military, government, constitution)

- By early 1900s, Japan has industrialized, is competitive with West

By 1890, Japan had a strong navy and large army

1894 - Japan's strength convinced Western nations to give up extraterritorial rights

As its sense of power grew, Japan became more imperialistic

- Wanted to show the world their power

Japan forced Korea to open three ports to Japanese trade in 1876

1885 - Japan and China agreed not to send troops to Korea even though both countries wanted control

- 1894 - China sent troops to put down rebellion in Korea

- Japan drove Chinese out of Korea, gained Chinese territory (Sino-Japanese War)

1903 - Japan recognition of Russia's rights in Manchuria if Russia would agree to stay out of Korea - Russia refused

1904 - Japan launched a surprise attack on Russian ships in Manchuria's harbor, launching the Russo-Japanese War

Japan drove Russian forces out of Korea and captured or destroyed much of Russia's naval fleet

1905 - treaty ended the war

- Japan got captured territories, Russia had to withdraw from Manchuria and stay out of Korea

After the Russo-Japanese War, Japan attacked Korea with a vengence

Japanese "advisors" took more and more power from the government - 1907 - Korean king gave up control

1901 - Japan officially annexed Korea

Japanese were harsh rulers

- shut down Korean newspapers and schools, gave Korean land to Japanese settlers, forbade Koreans from going into business

Korean nationalism began to grow