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 For years, western nations tried to open trade with Japan 1853: US Commodore Matthew Perry steams his ships into Tokyo harbor to deliver a letter from President 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 In 1867, the Shogun step down and Emperor Mutshuito begins the Meiji era Emperor realizes the best way to stop western influence was for Japan to modernize – studies western methods

As Japan industrialized, they also built a powerful military Japanese Imperialism 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 kings 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 1903: Russia tries gain influence in Korea & Manchuria Japan launches a surprise attack against Russia ships near Manchuria (Russo-Japanese War) Japan wins the war crushing the Russian navy – land battle a draw Japan annexes Korea - closes Korean newspapers, and replaces Korean subjects w/ Japanese subjects