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The Meiji Constitution
Meant to protect Japan from foreign domination
Emperor was head of state and divine power -
First Sino-Japanese War
A long series of events, primarily because of Japan's interference in Korean affairs
Increasing tensions between Japan and the Qing Dynasty of China -
Boxer Rebellion
Anti-foreign, anti-Christian revolt in Chin; eventually joined by government soldiers with support from the Qing Dynasty, keeping the Russians out -
Anglo-Japanese Alliance
This alliance was clearly directed at Russia; Japan and Britain would aid each other militarily if either was at war with 2 or more countries. -
Russo-Japanese War
By the end of April, a Japanese army had entered Russian-controlled Manchuria -
Treaty of Portsmouth
Brought Russo-Japanese War to a close; allowed Japan to lease the Liaodong Peninsula and Port Arthur from China; granted Japan the right to lease the Russian-built Southern Manchurian Railway from China; granted Japan the southern half of Sakhalin Island -
World War I
Opportunity for Japan to display their strength
This strength was directed toward Germany and China -
Thirteen Demands
Japan presented China with a list of twenty-one demands which was then reduced to thirteen before China agreed -
Paris Peace Conference
Leaugue of Nations was formed and Japan was a founding member -
Five-Power Treaty
Agreement about naval limitations between Britain, US, Japan, France, and Italy -
Four-Power Treaty
Ended the Anglo-Japanese Alliance and required Japan, US, Britian, and France to respect each others territories -
Nine-Power Treaty
Required Japan to remove its military from the Shantung Peninsula and called on all nations to respect China's independence and borders -
Lodon Naval Conference
Japan achieved a 69.75 percent ratio on battleships to the tonnage of either a US or British fleet and 60 percent ratio for cruisers -
The Great Depression
Exports fell by over 40%; Unemployment increased; 50% of businesses closed permanently; Japan's GNP decreased 20% -
Mukden Incident
A bomb exploded on the South Manchurian Railway; Japan blamed this explosion on China; This was an excuse for Japan to occupy all of Manchuria -
Tanggu Truce
Recognized that Jehol and Manchuria were under Japan's control and China promised not fight to remove Japan -
Doihara Kenji-Qin Dechun Agreement
China agreed to remove all troops from the Manchukuo border and the Charar Province -
Second United Front
Zhang Xueliang arrested Chiang and forced him to negotiate with the CCP and KMT to create a united anti-Japanese front; Japan now understood that it might face organized opposition -
Marco Polo Bridge Incident
Chinese and Japanese troops fought briefly at the Marco Polo bridge; by the end of July, Japan was rapidly occupying most areas of northern China -
Second Sino-Japanese War
Japan used bomber aircraft against Nanjing, China's capital;
Japan moved from the north to larger cities in the south -
Japan's control of Shanghai
Chinese troops were not as well equipped as Japan's and they were forced to evacuate by the end of October, leaving Shanghai to Japan -
Bomber aircraft attack
Chang looked for victory elsewhere, since Japan was quickly occupying the north, so he responded by having bomber aircraft attack an area of Shanghai that was controlled by Japan -
Japan's control of Nanjing
Japanese troops quickly overwhelmed the Chinese troops and the city was captured -
Nanjing Massacre
Japanese troops were ordered to execute captured Chinese soldiers; estimated that around 300,00 people were killed -
Collapse of the Second United Front
CCP's New Fourth Army was essentially destroyed by a much greater force led by the KMT. This portrayed Chaing and his forces as being more interested in fighting their own people, rather than the Japanese