Japan – check your understanding
The MAIN
problem is…
1. Imperialism and unequal treaties
Why would the Japanese resent what the US did in 1853?
What is an unequal treaty?
Why would the terms of the unequal treaties be insulting to the Japanese?
Concession
Extraterritoriality
Trading privileges (low import taxes)
Are the unequal treaties an example of political, economic or cultural imperialism?
How do you think a nation would like to be treated? What rights would a nation like to have?
2. Meiji Era: Westernization / Modernization
In English we have a saying, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” How does this saying reflect the
Japanese policy during the Meiji Era?
3. Motives for building an empire
How did each of these encourage Japanese imperialism?
Industrialization
national security (balance of power)
Self-preservation / survival of the fittest
Fear, greed , attitude of superiority?
4. MAIN Strategies for Self- Preservation
Give examples of how Japan exhibited each of these in its history:
Militarism
Alliances
Political imperialism
Economic imperialism
Nationalism
How did human rights suffer under Japanese imperialism and empire?
List countries Japan controlled in 1942