RI Y2 Rise of Japan Worksheet

1 RAFFLES INSTITUTION RAFFLES PROGRAMME YEAR 2 HISTORY RISE OF JAPAN Name: __________________________ ( ) Class: _____ Date: __________ The Rise of Japan: Why did Japan pursue an expansionist policy in the first-half of the 20th century? Section A: Japan in the 19th Century – Changes in Political Structures & Effects on Society Tokugawa Isolationist Era → Forced Opening of Japan (1854) What were some tangible outcomes? -Forced opening of Japan for trade, as well as the signing of unequal treaties with the West -Downfall of the Shogunate and the creation of a new centralised government with the emperor as its symbolic head. (long-run) How did Japan feel as a result? - Fear & Humiliation - Desired to be respected by the West - Unhappy with the Tokugawa govt Meiji Restoration (1868) What were some tangible outcomes? -Abolishment of feudal system of govt & social hierarchy -Adoption of Western ideas, practices & technology (Western style system of govt., transformed into industrial society, introduction of conscription, modernisation of Japan’s armed forces - Industrial and economic modernisation How did Japan feel as a result? - Empowered, hopeful Furthermore, Japan was facing growing domestic pressures to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population, as well as obtain a steady supply of raw materials not found in Japan (e.g. coal and magnesium) to support its industrialisation efforts following the Meiji Restoration. Section B: Japan into the 20th Century Part 1 First Sino-Japanese War (1895) Russo-Japanese War (1904) • Fought over the control of Korea, a Chinese puppet state. • Japan’s superior military training, technology and strategy secured its resounding victory against China. • Treaty of Shinonoseki (23 April 1895): o Liaodong Peninsula and Taiwan awarded to Japan o Korea granted independence • BUT, Russia, France and Germany forced Japan to give up the _the Liaodong Peninsula in exchange for monetary compensation from the Chinese_ • Japan’s expansion into the resource-rich Manchuria resulted in conflict with Russia, which interpreted it as a threat to its influence in the Far East. • Similarly, Japan secured its victory through superior military training, technology and strategy. • Treaty of Portsmouth (5 September 1905): o Russia recognised Korea as Japanese sphere of influence o Removal of Russian forces in Manchuria o Japan granted Port Arthur and Sakhalin How do you think the Japanese felt after the war? Why? Ans: More confident due to their victory but frustrated/angered by the Western powers ganging up against it to deprive it of its spoils of war. How did they view their Asian counterparts? Ans. Saw the Chinese as inferior, uncivilised and possibly even barbaric and subhuman. How do you think the Japanese felt after the war? Why? Ans. Tremendous upsurge in national pride and self - confidence of the Japanese people