1. Imperialism of Japan
Ch. 12 Sec. 2

2. Japan Opens Up Matthew Perry delivered letter from President Fillmore
Treaty of Kanagawa-opened US ports
Led to social and economic unrest

3. 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

5. Growing Military STrength
-Japan needs resources
- 1876: Forced Korea to open ports for trade
competition over Korea led Japan and China to First Sino-Japanese War
* Japan Defeated the Chinese!

7. 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