Summarize Japanese Imperialistic Expansion
Japanese resented unequal treaties of 1860s, resolved to become imperial power
- founded representative political institutions to prove trustworthiness to American and European powers
Early Japanese expansion in nearby islands
- 1870s, to the north: Hokkaido, Kurile Islands (encouraged Japanese migrants to prevent Russian takeover)
- By 1879, to the south: Okinawa and Ryukyu Islands
Meiji government bought British warships, built up navy, established military academies
- 1876- imposed unequal treaties on Korea at gunpoint
- Made plans to invade China
Sino-Japanese War
- Anti-foreign rebellion in Korea: Chinese army sent to restore order, reassert authority
- Meiji leaders declared war against China, demolished Chinese fleet
- China forced to cede Korea, Taiwan, Pescadores Islands, Laiodong Peninsula
Russo-Japanese War
- Russia also had territorial ambitions in Liaodong, Korea, Manchuria
- Japanese destroyed local Russian forces + Baltic fleet reinforcement
- Russia ceded southern half of Sakhalin Island, plus the railroad and economic interest of southern Manchuria
- Turned Japan into a major, respected imperial power