Imperialism in JapanImperialism in Japan

Ch 20 Sec 4Ch 20 Sec 4

Changes in JapanChanges in Japan

In less than 50 years, In less than 50 years, Japan had changed Japan had changed from a feudal farming from a feudal farming country to a leading country to a leading industrial power.industrial power. Cities grew rapidly.Cities grew rapidly. Every inch of suitable Every inch of suitable

land was cultivated.land was cultivated. the food supply could the food supply could

not feed the population.not feed the population.

Social tensions grew.Social tensions grew.

In the Meiji eraIn the Meiji era Japanese customs and law allowed little dissent.Japanese customs and law allowed little dissent. By the 1920s, economic development, education, and By the 1920s, economic development, education, and

Western ideas changed attitudes.Western ideas changed attitudes.Workers organized labor unionsWorkers organized labor unionsTenant farmers demanded lower rentsTenant farmers demanded lower rentsWomen took jobs in manufacturing, textile, and office Women took jobs in manufacturing, textile, and office

work.work.many Japanesemany Japanesebelieved these changes corrupted the country both believed these changes corrupted the country both

economically and morally.economically and morally.

Opposition to westernization grew.Opposition to westernization grew.

The military increased its influence.The military increased its influence.They frowned on dissent.They frowned on dissent.Militarism increasingly influenced social, Militarism increasingly influenced social,

economic, and political development.economic, and political development.conflicts with the West also drove the military conflicts with the West also drove the military

to increase its role.to increase its role.Western nations would never treat Japan as Western nations would never treat Japan as

equal.equal.They insisted that Japanese people return to They insisted that Japanese people return to

traditional values.traditional values.

Japan had become an industrial Japan had become an industrial and military power.and military power.

It hoped new territory would provide raw It hoped new territory would provide raw materials for Japan’s industries and markets.materials for Japan’s industries and markets. Although Korea was independent, Japan dominated Although Korea was independent, Japan dominated

its government.its government. Japan then looked to Manchuria.Japan then looked to Manchuria.

Japan believed Russia would soon dominate Manchuria.Japan believed Russia would soon dominate Manchuria. Japan signed an alliance with Great Britain. The Anglo-Japan signed an alliance with Great Britain. The Anglo-

Japanese alliance.Japanese alliance. In 1904 JapanIn 1904 Japan sent Russia an ultimatum to withdraw from Manchuria.sent Russia an ultimatum to withdraw from Manchuria.

Russia failed to respond.Russia failed to respond.

Japan attacked the Russian fleet at Port Arthur Japan attacked the Russian fleet at Port Arthur in Manchuria.in Manchuria. The Japanese navy stunned the world by destroying The Japanese navy stunned the world by destroying

the Russian Baltic fleet.the Russian Baltic fleet. Although the Japanese were winning,Although the Japanese were winning,

Russo-Japanese War Russo-Japanese War was costing lives and money.was costing lives and money. Japan asked U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt to mediate.Japan asked U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt to mediate.

met at Portsmouth, New Hampshire.met at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Treaty of Portsmouth Treaty of Portsmouth Russia gave Japan its lease on Port Russia gave Japan its lease on Port

Arthur and withdrew troops from Manchuria.Arthur and withdrew troops from Manchuria. When Japan annexed Korea in 1910, no other imperialist power When Japan annexed Korea in 1910, no other imperialist power

protested.protested.