Modernization in Japan What causes Japan to open up & become more like the west?

US Steams Into Japan Japan was ruled by Shogun who divided land amongst the nobles Peasants worked for nobles and their armies, the Samurai 1853: Little trade btwn west & Japan, so US Commodore Matthew Perry steams his ships into Tokyo harbor w/ letter from Pres. Fillmore The letter asked the Shogun to allow trade between the US & Japan Japan & US sign trade agreement called the Treaty of Kanagawa Most Japanese people did not want foreigners in Japan, they ask Emperor to take control of the country 1867: the Shogun step down and Emperor Mutsuhito begins the Meiji era Emperor realizes the best way to stop western influence was for Japan to modernize – studies western methods

Sino-Japanese War As Japan industrialized, they also built a powerful military 1876: Japan forces neighboring Korea to open ports for trade However, China happened to be Korea’s trading partner Both countries sign a “hands-off” Korea treaty People of Korea rebel against their king, Korean king asks China to help – China send in its troops Japan attacks China for violating treaty Japan wins Sino-Japanese War, gets Taiwan & sph of infl. in Manchuria, Korea

Russo-Japanese War 1903: Russia tries to gain influence in Korea & Manchuria, Russians confident they can easily take land away from Japanese Japan launches a surprise attack against Russia ships near Manchuria – crushes Russian Navy However, land battle is a draw w/ Russia losing lots of troops US negotiates treaty to end war, Japan annexes Korea - closes Korean newspapers, and replaces Korean subjects w/ Japanese subjects

Russo-Japanese War Political Cartoon Open your book to page 378 How is Russia characterized in most cartoons? How was Japan characterized during the Meiji era? How does the cartoonist signify that Japan is warlike? Who do you think the cartoonist is depicting being crushed by this war between Russia & Japan?