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Matthew Perry arrives in Tokyo Bay
A U.S. fleet forces Japan to assimilate to foreign influence after 200 years of isolation. Matthew Perry signs a treaty with Japan opening up ports to trade. -
Era of the Tokugawa Shoguns
This was an era of political, economic, and social change that progressed gradually. This period experienced growing urbanization and the popular expansion of the merchant class. This era lasted from the year 1600 to 1868. After the year 1868, Japan industrialized rapidly. -
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Meiji Restoration
Began the idea of the Imperialism Era for Japan. The changes that occurred would update Japan into the new century and help it grow in the future. -
First Sino-Japanese War
During this time Japanese thoughts on expansion were growing. China and Japan fought about who should take control of Korea. Japan wins and adds the Korean peninsula into its ranks. -
Treaty of Shimonoseki
In 1895 Japan had defeated China's large army in Korea. At the end of the war, Japan had China sign the Treaty of Shimonoseki. This treaty forced China to give Korea its independence. It also made China give land to Japan. Japan had gained the island of Taiwan, some islands next to it, and the coast near Manchuria. It also allowed Japan to trade in China. -
A new Constitution
In 1899, Japan put out a new constitution. This new constitution gave the Japanese people the right to vote in the government. However, the only people that could vote were the rich people who own a lot of property. It also gave supreme power to the emperor. Not only that but the new constitution also created the Diet. It was a two housed assembly. One house was the elected people, and the other house was the representatives. -
Russo-Japanese War
Imperialism took place by making connections to the European powers. This war took place because Japan wanted to stop Russia from succeeding in its own expansion. With Japan's superior army and commanders, they crushed Russia, even though the fight was long with heavy casualties on both sides. Japan won this war and it was the first time that any other country won against a European power. -
Treaty of Portsmouth
Ended the Russo-Japanese War. This treaty gave Japan control over Korea, some of South Manchuria, Port Arthur, and a railway that was connected to a region, as well as the Southern half of Sakhalin Island. -
Gentlemen's Agreement
President Theodore Roosevelt made the "gentlemen's agreement" with Japan that essentially stopped Japanese immigration to the US. -
World War I
Japan enters World War I as an ally of Great Britain. As a result of being victorious during the war, Japan gains some Pacific Islands from Germany.