Imperialism of Japan Ch. 12 Sec. 2
Japan Opens Up Matthew Perry delivered letter from President Fillmore Treaty of Kanagawa-opened 2 US ports Led to social and economic unrest
Meiji REstoration Mutsuhito- Took the name Meiji (“Enlightened Rule”) Motto: “A rich country, a strong military” Created a strong central government from the previous feudal order All citizens were equal before the law New Constitution ended legal distinctions between classes Distinctions survived, but improved laws for the lower classes
Growing Military STrength -Japan needs resources - 1876: Forced Korea to open ports for trade - 1894 competition over Korea led Japan and China to First Sino-Japanese War * Japan Defeated the Chinese!
Military continues to grow Years later Japan challenged Russia for territory in Korea and Manchuria Russo-Japanese war Japan Defeated Russian troops in Manchuria and nearly defeated the Russian fleet Japan made Korea a protectorate, then annexed it outright By the early 1900s- Japan was the strongest power in Asia