Commander Perry and Opening of Japan
Directions: After reading the above background, Choose one of the following decisions
below and then explain your reason why.
5)
Or
Imperialism in Japan
In 1853-1854 the United States sent Navy Commander Matthew Perry to Japan. Perry’s mission was
to demand that Japan open its ports to trade. Even though the Japanese did not want foreign trade, they
were too weak to refuse Perry. By 1860 Japan, like China, had granted permission to trade and
extraterritorial rights too many foreign nations. The Western nations had arrived in Japan.
Meiji Restoration.
Japanese rulers believed that their country needed to modernize their social and political systems in order
to survive the arrival of the West. To accomplish this goal, Japanese leaders began the westernization of
Japan. During this time, Japan began to change from a feudal society (ruled by warlords) to a society
ruled directly by the emperor. This change was called the Meiji Restoration. The emperor began a series
of reforms, which by 1877 resulted in the complete destruction of feudalism. By the 1880s, Japan had
ended its old ways and given its people freedoms and the right to choose their occupations and attend
schools. Japan realized that unless it caught up with Western nations in technology and wealth, it would
never be safe from foreign control. The government invited foreign experts to Japan to help modernize its
country.
By 1900 Japan was rapidly becoming the first nation in Asia to industrialize. Although Japan was
growing in strength and power, its leaders felt threatened by the foreign imperialist expansion in Asia.
Japan knew that it would need to expand and build an empire to meet its economic needs. Japan quickly
became an imperialistic country. The government sent its army to China. As a result of the Sino-Japanese
War (1894-1895), Japan annexed Taiwan and secured a sphere of influence over Korea. By 1900 Japan
was a strong military nation and in 1910 it annexed Korea.
Russo-Japanese War
The Japanese began to use their military to gain valuable territory. They wanted to gain land in China and
Korea. The Russians, however, also had interest in those countries. Japan and Russia began arguing
over their spheres of influence in China and Korea. When, in 1904, Russia refused to withdraw its army
from Manchuria, China, the Japanese navy attacked the Russian navy at Port Arthur. The RussoJapanese War had begun. During the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), the Japanese nearly destroyed
the Russian’s entire Pacific Ocean navy. It took 3/4 of a year for the Russian Navy to sail to Korea. The
Japanese Navy sunk it in 3/4 of an hour. The Russians were forced to ask for a peace treaty. The
American President Theodore Roosevelt helped the two countries come to an agreement. Japan was
given much Russian territory in China and Korea, as well as Port Arthur. Port Arthur was a particularly
valuable harbor in Manchuria that gave Japan easy access to the Asian mainland. The Japanese victory
over Russia was the first time in modern history that an Asian country had defeated a European country.
Russia's defeat was met with shock in the West and across the Far East. Japan's prestige rose greatly as
it became seen as a modern nation.
 Widespread discontent spread through the Japanese People upon the announcement of the treaty
terms. Two specific requirements, expected after such a costly victory, were especially lacking:
territorial gains and monetary reparations to Japan. The peace accord led to feelings of distrust
with the United States, as the Japanese had intended to retain all of Sakhalin Islands, but was
forced to settle for half of it after being pressured by the United States.
Directions: Answer all questions completely.
6)
7)
8)
9)
What happened during the Meiji Era in Japan?
What were the Japanese and Russians fighting over?
What was the result of the treaty worked out by President Roosevelt?
Why were the Japanese people angry with the United States?