Geography: Archipelago- chain of Island 4,000, 4 main islands Mountains –Steppe Farming due to limited land 12% arable Lack of Navigable Rivers -Located on Rim of Fire (Volcano activity common)

How does geography influence Japan? lack of resources ** Disasters -> typhoons, volcanoes dense population Isolation from foreign world *** –Mongols tried to invade but never could---> “Magical Winds”

Isolation Throughout Japanese history, Japan had stayed isolated from foreigners –Just like China

Japan vs. China Japan is similar to what culture? Why? -cultural diffusion from China –examples: Character writing (Kana), Confucianism, Zen Buddhism –cooking, gardening,

Early History Small clans Early Rulers: Yamato  never very strong but never overthrown During middle ages, landowners became very powerful and Japan settled into its own feudal type system –Rice Tax Nobles (Diamyos)rise in power

Tokugawa Shogun Military leader of Japan during the Middle Ages -Used to be a temporary title but now became a permanent title Emperor power declines (figure head)

Tokugawa= Isolate! Shogun makes decision to keep Japan isolated from invaders!

Bushido Japanese Samurai code of warrior **Similar to European Knights »code of Chivalry

Harakiri (seppuku) A vulgar term meaning ‘to slice the abdomen’, which refers to a ritualized form of suicide carried out by Japanese samurai beginning in the Tokugawa period. More properly called seppuku, it involved making two small cross-wise slices across the gut while in a kneeling position, after which a second would behead the samurai with a sword. In practice, the first step was rarely carried out.suicidesamurai

End of Isolation- Perry visits Japan During the 19 th Century, The “ West wanted to begin trading with China and Japan Japan had refused as did China but in 1853, they had persuasion 1853: US Commodore Matthew Perry brings fleet to Japan with a letter from the US presidents asking Japan to open up its ports-  claims he will come back with a bigger fleet if demands are not met

1854 Treaty of Kanagawa  two ports open to US By 1860, Japan opened ports to others.

How would the Japanese feel about being forced to do this? -upset at shogun -realized they were weak and Tokugawa Shogun realized time was over -Japan looks to new emperor Mutsuhito for pride and nationalism -Chose name “ Meji ” which means enlightened ruler –o “ if you can ’ t beat the west, be the west ”

Russell’s Rule Meiji = Modernization/ Industrialization Made Japan a modern economic and World power by creating industry

Modernized Japan Schools modeled after US Army of Germany Navy of Britain Germany ’ s government Industrialize like west –Build factories –Build railroads

Conclusion With modernization came more money and more POWER Japan by felt equal with West  wanted to show their power to the world Began to follow Western footsteps of imperialism

What is imperialism? taking over a territory of a weaker nation by a stronger nation ( Bully effect) and use them for resources

Sino- Japanese War 1876 Japan vs. China –o Like western countries, Japan forced Korea to open up ports but China protested  both agreed not to fight but China sent in troops and Japan responded and defeated China easily »Got control of Taiwan and other islands

This left Russia realizing Japan was a major power in Asia and challenged their supremacy

Russo-Japanese War Both wanted control of Manchuria Japan offered to recognize Russian rights in Manchuria if Russia stayed out of Korea O They did not and war started O Japan wins and US negotiated treaty between both countries –Japan gains complete control of Korea »Annexation of Korea

WWI- Japan fought with Allies (US, Russia, Great Britain and France) Win war but get nothing for help in winning war Disappointed and relationship with West declines

Japan continues to imperialize in order to obtain more resources and power. They had faced major depression during the 1920 ’ s due to a major earthquake and depression in West REMEMBER Japan needs resources and is not a self sufficient country based on geography

WWII During WWII Japan aligns with axis powers of Germany and Italy. They share betrayal of others. Japan and Italy were left out of WWI treaty

December 7 th, 1941 Pearl Harbor Attack Why did they do this? -Japan wanted dominance in Pacific and only powerful nation with any interest in Pacific Ocean. They figured if they took out harbors in Pear Harbor which contained submarines, carriers, and destroyers, US would not be able to help other nations in Pacific because it would be too far away –o Successful attack except for one thing: Japan did not count on Air-craft carriers not being at Pearl Harbor »These would later allow US to attack Japan (island hopping) and eventually drop the A-bomb

Results A-bomb dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima and Japan is rebuilt by US –Emperor is no longer seen as divine –Creation of a Mixed Economy like US –-Rebuilt into Economic power of technology