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Unequal Treaties
United States and Japan sign Treaty of Kanagawa. Japan must open five ports to American trade. Americans can live in port cities, but did not have to obety Japanese laws. Paid very small tax on imported items; "flooded" Japan with cheap products. -
Commodore Perry
Commodore Perry arrives in Japan and forces Japan to open its ports to American ships to resupply. United States also demanded Japan to begin trading. (Gunboat Diplomacy) -
Meiji Restoration
Emperor Meiji restored supreme ruler of Japan. Japan begins modernization-new army, sent people to study in foreign countries, develop technology (ie. trains, ships, telegraph). -
Meiji Constitution
Empeor restored to most powerful state Shinto religion. New land laws. People elected a Congress (diet). -
Sino-Japanese War
In 1894 Japan goes to war with China and Japan swiftly overcame China's resistance and revealed as a helpless giant. Japan won Japan's first colony the island of Taiwan. -
Russo-Japanese War
In this war with Japan and Russia, Japan had defeats the Russian imperial force and emereged as the only industrialized society in the Far East. But Japan had several problems such as lack of respect, lack of raw materials, lack of food and lack of land. -
WWI
Japan had sided with the Allies (United Kingdom, France, Italy, United States, Russia) and issued war against Germany. Japan's activity during the conflict was important because Japan toook advantage of the problems in Europe to seize German holdings on the Shantung, and because Japan made war material for the countries in need. Japan then failed to gain a highly desired statement on racial equality in the Covenant of the League of Nations. -
Manchuria Invasion
Americans were very concermed when Japanaese forces invaded the Manchuria area of China. THey watched with great interest the efforts of Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek to oppose the Japanese invaders. -
Trade between Japan and U.S.
United States and Japan were competing for the same resources and Asian markets. However, there also was a good deal of trade between the two nations. In fact, Japan depended on the U>S. for most of its metal, copper and oil. But This trade with Tokyo became a major concern for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the congress. -
Japan's concerns
In January, the treaty between Germany and the Soviet Union gave Tokyo even more concern. This helped moderates in the Japanese government to gain more influence over foreign policy. A moderate government took power. -
Allies with Germany, Italy and Japan
Extremestists in Japanese government saw the German victory as their chance to launch their own attack on European colonies in Asia, so they quickly negotiated with Hitler and formed an alliance. Japan forced France to give Japan permission to occupy northern Indochina. And Tokyo also demanded that Britain close the Burma Road to the Chinese city then known as Chungking. And the U.S. created a Lend-Lease Act and banned the export of metal and oil products to Japan. -
Battle of Coral Sea
Stalemate: Draw on both sides because Japan and United States both lose one aircraft carrier. -
Battle of Midway
Japan was planning a secret attack on the American bases at Midway, but the U.S. intercepted the Japanese code and even knew the exact date and time. Both sides got ready for a battle with which one side, Japan, didn't know that the other side knew about the attack. In the end, U.S. ambushed Japanese navy. This was the turning point of the battle. -
Battle Guadacanal in Solomon Islands
Thousands of lives lost on both sides. Indicator of number of American/Japanese lives that would be lost in the war. -
Hiroshima Bombing
