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Japan's Historical Isolation and Military Expansion in the 20th Century

Japan's geography, marked by an archipelago of 4,000 islands and mountainous terrain, fostered a unique historical trajectory characterized by isolation. This isolation, maintained by the Yamato rulers and the Tokugawa shogunate, changed dramatically in the 19th century when Commodore Perry's arrival forced Japan to engage with the West. As Japan faced economic troubles in the 1930s, military leaders sought to expand the empire for resources, leading to invasions of Manchuria and Nanking, raising questions about their impact on Asia and Japan's national pride.

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Japan's Historical Isolation and Military Expansion in the 20th Century

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

  2. Isolation • Throughout Japanese history, Japan had stayed isolated from foreigners • Just like China

  3. 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 • Nobles (Diamyos) rise in power

  4. Tokugawa Shogun

  5. Bushido • Bushido • Japanese Samurai code of warrior • Similar to European Knights

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

  7. End of Isolation- Perry visits Japan • During the 19th 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

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

  9. Modernized Japan • Schools modeled after US • Army of Germany • Navy of Britain • Germany’s government • Industrialize like west 1870- 1914 • Build factories • Build railroads

  10. Context: Japan, 1930 Japan suffered from economic problems. Japan was geographically small. Goals of Japan’s military leaders • expand Japan’s empire to gain more raw materials • restore Japan’s power in Asia and the world World View of Japan

  11. Invasion of China • Japan invaded China’s northern region of Manchuria in 1931. • This area was rich with iron and coal. Japanese soldiers in Manchuria

  12. Invasion of Nanking • Nanking was China’s capital. • Japan invaded Nanking in December 1937. Japanese Soldiers entering Nanking

  13. Central Historical Question What happened during the invasion of Nanking?

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