-
Sakoku
Japan refuses trade with Russian Ships. This was the beginning of Japan's isolationism which was called Sakoku. Sakoku was helpful for Japan's nationalism because it limited the influence of any outside cultures. -
Japan dives further into isolationism
The new order of no ships allowed in their waters was declared in response to an increasing number of foreign ships, particularly whaling ships, which entered Japanese waters. Japan was so against any influence from western nations so these ships acted as a threat to Japan as they were so determined to keep those cultures away. -
American merchants became first people to try to trade with Japan and fix their ship
After trying to land, the ships were shot at by Japan making the trade unsuccessful. This was significant to Japan because it helped make sure nobody entered their waters anymore. -
Emperor Ninkō died at the age of 45 and was succeeded by Emperor Kōmei
1846- 1847: There were many disasters under Ninkō including famine, western influence(which was the whole reason they wanted to go into isolation), and corruption of the government and economy. Ninkō’s successor had some turmoil during his reign as well because he opened up Japanese waters to western powers which began the end of their isolation. -
Nagano Earthquake
The Nagano Earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4, and over 8,600 people died. It also triggered multiple major landslides that destroyed many houses. The outcome was 28 million dollars in repair expenses which was very difficult for the economy. -
Meiji Restoration 1867- 1895
Emperor Kōmei dies and his son Meji succeeds him. This marked the start of the Meiji Restoration. The Meiji Restoration was the return of imperial rule of Japan and ended the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate. It also brought major political, economic, and social change to Japan. The Meiji restoration was significant to Japan's history because it was the end of their last traditional Japanese culture time period which was called Edo. Now Japan was opened to all western cultural influence. -
Boshin War
The Boshin war was a civil war in Japan fought from 1868 to 1869 between the ruling Tokugawa shogunate and those seeking to return political power to the Imperial Court. The imperialistic side ended the reign of the Edo shogunate. This was significant for Japan because it marked the end of traditional Japanese culture (the Edo period). -
Abolition of the Han System
The Han system was the historical term for the estate of Daimyo during the Edo period. The Han system was replaced by the system of prefectures at the end of the Edo period. This was extremely important to Japan's history because instead of an emperor governing all of Japan they now were split into 47 prefectures and all governed by which ranked immediately below the national government and form the country's first level of jurisdiction and administrative division. -
1904-1905 Russo-Japanese War
The Russo- Japanese war was a war between Japan and the Russian Empire. It began because the territorial claims both countries made on Manchuria, and the Empire of Korea. The Japanese ended up winning the war which was extremely significant because it led to the Japan- Korea treaty. -
The Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910 completes the annexation of the Korean Empire
Japanese commentators predicted that Koreans would easily assimilate into the Japanese Empire. So the treaty completed the annexation of Korea officially making them a part of the Japanese Empire. -
Start of World War 1