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10 years before Japan started the First Sino-Japanese War
Japan was resource poor, Japan sought to aquire resources by conquering new lands, Korea, its nearest neighbour. Korea was an obvious choice due to its coal and iron resources and strategic location. In 1884 a group of Japanse reformers tried to atempt to overthrow the Koearn government but were stopped by Chinese troops. -
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First Sino-Japanese War
Japan declared victory over the Chinese, despite their smaller military forces. Chine agreed to pay a large indemnity and handed over Korea and Taiwan to Japan. -
Russia showing interest in Korea and Manchuria
Russia began showing interest in Korewa and Manchuria. After a failed attempt at a diplomatic agreement with Russia, Japan surprised them by delcaring war on someday in Feburary 1904. After the Russo-Japanese War, Japan beat Russia. The war officially ended in September 1905. -
End of the First World War
The end of the war brought about a slowing of Japanese production and a decline in the status of its military, which was seen by some as an unnecessary drain on public funds. -
Great Depression
Weak governments hampered by the devastation caised by the Great Depression and the resulting breakdown of international trade, could so little to prevent the secret societies from gaining power. -
Manchuria
Manchuria, on China’s eastern seaboard, was attacked by Japan in 1931. Japan invaded Manchuria which caused many blames by the League of Nations. By 1931, Japan had invested vast sums of money into the economy of Manchuria, which was effectively controlled by the South Manchuria Railway Company. -
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Defeat of Japan in WW2 (1939-1945)
The defeat of Japan resulted in a complete removal of military influence in Japan. Instead, Japanese nationalism focused on industrial growth as the country rose to become a major economic force in the world. -
Co-Prosperity Sphere
The Co-Prosperity Sphere was announced and was used to justify imperialist expansion throughout Asia. Its ultranationalist intent was to establish a new international order that would align Asian countries with Japan, free of western colonialism and domination.
