General Timeline of Events
1600s-1850s Shoguns ruled Japan. During this time, Japan isolated itself from the rest of the world and was very prosperous, in a time called the Isolation. Many other countries wanted to trade with the wealthy, self-sufficient island nation but they never . Ships from Western nations, like the United States, would anchor themselves off of the coast of Japan but the Japanese would never take anything from them. (1)
1853 Matthew Perry, a US Commodore, traveled to Japan. With him he brought four steam-powered American ships. Since America had modernized, they had more modern weapons, as opposed to the swords the Japanese samurais were still fighting with. In order to protect his troops, the Tokugawa shogun accepted the letter. In the letter, Millard Fillmore wrote, "...if your imperial majesty were so far to change the ancient laws as to allow a free trade between the two countries [Japan and the United States] it would be extremely beneficial to both. (Excerpt from President Millard Fillmore’s letter to the Emperor of Japan, 14 July 1853). Millard Fillmore simply wanted to bring wealth to his nation and also to the nation of Japan by trading with one another. Fillmore's wish for an economic alliance with Japan would eventually come true. (1)
1854 Commodore Perry returned to Japan with another, larger fleet than the previous one to collect the Tokugawa shogun's response to President Fillmore's letter. In that response, known today as the Treaty of Kanagawa, it was stated that two Japanese ports would be open to American traders. Also, it called for a United States embassy in Japan, as well as paved the path for many Western nations to begin trading with Japan. It allowed foreign traders rights that allowed them more freedom than the Japanese themselves. The Japanese people did not agree with the Tokugawa shoguns decision of allowing trade and rioted. They sided with the nearly powerless Japanese emperor, Mutsuhito, who would eventually take over Japan. (1)
1867 The Tokugawa shogun that signed the Treaty of Kanagawa gave up his position. This resignation of power ended the rule of the shoguns that had lasted for over 700 years. The once nearly powerless emperor, Emperor Mutsuhito, gained the power the position of shogun once had at the age of fifteen. He established a new government and named his time as leader the Meiji era, meaning "enlightened rule." (1)
1867-1912 This time period is known in Japanese history as the Meiji era. During this time, Emperor Mutsuhito was in power in Japan. He disagreed with the Western nations imperializing places throughout the world so he knew he must modernize, for the sake of Japan. He sent Japanese officials to Europe and North America to study many aspects of foreign society. These officials studied the government, the military, and the techniques of these nations. The government of Germany particularly intrigued the Meiji emperor. It was a central government, ruled by a small group of people. This type of government, known as an oligarchy, was the type Japan began using during the Meiji era. The Meiji constiutionGermany's constitution was the model for the Meiji constitution. Another factor that the Japanese officials looked at while traveling was military. Japan was influenced by the discipline of the army of Germany and the skill of the navy of Britain. Japan began using America's universal public education system which called for all Japanese children to enroll in school to be taught by foreign experts or study abroad. The Meiji era brought thousands of railroads connecting Japan and industrialization. Japan was producing more than 21 million tons of coal in 1913 and had established thousands of factories that produced tea, silk, ships, weapons, and much more. This Japanese era allowed Japan to be in competition with the Western world. (1)
1885 Japan and China agreed that they both would not send their armed forces to Korea. They made this agreement because both wanted to trade with Korea but they did not one another to take over the nation. (1)
1890 Japan's military was the strongest in Asia. The Japanese had large amounts of warships and an army of a half of a million well-trained soldiers. After Japan had obtained economic, military, and political strength, the Japanese wanted to get rid of the extraterritorial rights of Western traders. (1)
1894 Japan persuaded European nations to abolish the extraterritorial rights of Europeans living in Japan, saying that the foreigners would be treated fairly in Japan either way. Also, China sent troops into Korea because the Korean king asked China to help stop rebellions in his nation. But, these marching troops broke the agreement between China and Japan in 1885, saying that neither nation would send troops into Korea. Japanese troops went to fight the Chinese, starting the Sino-Japanese War. Over a period of a few months, Japanese forces rid Korea of the Chinese, destroyed thier navy, and began to invade Manchuria, a region in northern China. (1)
1895 The Japanese signed a peace treaty with China, ending the Sino-Japanese War and giving Japan Taiwan and the Pescadores Islands, it's first colonies. This Japanese victory over the Chinese surprised the world and showed Japan as a major world power, along with Russia. It also caused them to become enemies. (1)
1903 The Russians refused Japan's offer to allow Russia rights in Manchuria if they would stay out of Korea. (1)
1904 Japan attacked the Russian navy stationed off the coast of Manchuria and started the Russo-Japanese War. Japan rid Korea of the Russians, The Japanese captured the majority of Russia's Pacific fleet and completely destroyed Russia's Baltic fleet. (1)
1905 U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt helped the Japanese and the Russians write a peace treaty. The two countries signed the treaty off of the coast of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on a ship, This treaty that gave Japan it's captured territories and made Russia to leave Manchuria and Korea became known as the Treaty of Portsmouth. Japan made Korea a protectorate, or a land controlled and protected by another nation. Japan sent people to Korea called advisers, who continuously took power away from the government of Korea and the Korean king had no other nations helping him keep power. (1)
1907 The Korean king gave up control of Korea. (1)
1910 Japan officially brought Korea under their control. (1)
1910-1945 During this time, Japan had controlled over Korea. The Japanese were cruel leaders. They seized the Koreans' freedom of assembly and freedom of the press by banning public protest and shutting down newspapers. Japan took over Korean schools and forced the children to learn about Japanese history. They let the Japanese people start businesses in Korea but banned Koreans from owning their own businesses in their own country. They took land from Korean farmers to give to Japanese people. The Koreans tried protesting and revolting, but it did not work. Despite all of these horrible things, Japan did do some good in Korea. They modernized factories, communications, and ways of transportation. (1)
27 September 1940 Japan signed the Tripartite Pact, along with Germany and Italy. This pact made them official allies in whatever wars the one another would be in for the next ten years. (2)
December 7, 1941 Japan attacked Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii. 18 United States navy ships were destroyed, including ten battleships. (3)
December 8, 1941 President Roosevelt gave his "Day of Infamy" speech asking Congress for permission to declare war on Japan. Congress approved and America was officially involved in World War II. (3 and 4)
19 February 1942 President Roosevelt signed "Establishing the War Relocation Authority in the Executive Office of the President and Defining its Functions and Duties" order, or Order 9066, that calls for 10 Interment camps for Japanese-Americans. More than 110,000 Japanese-Americans were moved into these Interment camps during World War II. (5)
April 1945-June 1945 The Battle of Okinawa occurred. America beat Japan in this 82-day battle, leaving 100,000 Japanese soldiers dead, along with 42,000 civilians. 12,000 American soldiers were lost during this battle. This battle is thought to be a major turning point in World War II because it marked the beginning of the end of World War II. (6)
6 August 1945 The United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. (7 and 8)
9 August 1945 The United States dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan. (7 and 8)
15 August 1945 Japan surrendered to the United States. World War II was officially over. (8 and 9)
1853 Matthew Perry, a US Commodore, traveled to Japan. With him he brought four steam-powered American ships. Since America had modernized, they had more modern weapons, as opposed to the swords the Japanese samurais were still fighting with. In order to protect his troops, the Tokugawa shogun accepted the letter. In the letter, Millard Fillmore wrote, "...if your imperial majesty were so far to change the ancient laws as to allow a free trade between the two countries [Japan and the United States] it would be extremely beneficial to both. (Excerpt from President Millard Fillmore’s letter to the Emperor of Japan, 14 July 1853). Millard Fillmore simply wanted to bring wealth to his nation and also to the nation of Japan by trading with one another. Fillmore's wish for an economic alliance with Japan would eventually come true. (1)
1854 Commodore Perry returned to Japan with another, larger fleet than the previous one to collect the Tokugawa shogun's response to President Fillmore's letter. In that response, known today as the Treaty of Kanagawa, it was stated that two Japanese ports would be open to American traders. Also, it called for a United States embassy in Japan, as well as paved the path for many Western nations to begin trading with Japan. It allowed foreign traders rights that allowed them more freedom than the Japanese themselves. The Japanese people did not agree with the Tokugawa shoguns decision of allowing trade and rioted. They sided with the nearly powerless Japanese emperor, Mutsuhito, who would eventually take over Japan. (1)
1867 The Tokugawa shogun that signed the Treaty of Kanagawa gave up his position. This resignation of power ended the rule of the shoguns that had lasted for over 700 years. The once nearly powerless emperor, Emperor Mutsuhito, gained the power the position of shogun once had at the age of fifteen. He established a new government and named his time as leader the Meiji era, meaning "enlightened rule." (1)
1867-1912 This time period is known in Japanese history as the Meiji era. During this time, Emperor Mutsuhito was in power in Japan. He disagreed with the Western nations imperializing places throughout the world so he knew he must modernize, for the sake of Japan. He sent Japanese officials to Europe and North America to study many aspects of foreign society. These officials studied the government, the military, and the techniques of these nations. The government of Germany particularly intrigued the Meiji emperor. It was a central government, ruled by a small group of people. This type of government, known as an oligarchy, was the type Japan began using during the Meiji era. The Meiji constiutionGermany's constitution was the model for the Meiji constitution. Another factor that the Japanese officials looked at while traveling was military. Japan was influenced by the discipline of the army of Germany and the skill of the navy of Britain. Japan began using America's universal public education system which called for all Japanese children to enroll in school to be taught by foreign experts or study abroad. The Meiji era brought thousands of railroads connecting Japan and industrialization. Japan was producing more than 21 million tons of coal in 1913 and had established thousands of factories that produced tea, silk, ships, weapons, and much more. This Japanese era allowed Japan to be in competition with the Western world. (1)
1885 Japan and China agreed that they both would not send their armed forces to Korea. They made this agreement because both wanted to trade with Korea but they did not one another to take over the nation. (1)
1890 Japan's military was the strongest in Asia. The Japanese had large amounts of warships and an army of a half of a million well-trained soldiers. After Japan had obtained economic, military, and political strength, the Japanese wanted to get rid of the extraterritorial rights of Western traders. (1)
1894 Japan persuaded European nations to abolish the extraterritorial rights of Europeans living in Japan, saying that the foreigners would be treated fairly in Japan either way. Also, China sent troops into Korea because the Korean king asked China to help stop rebellions in his nation. But, these marching troops broke the agreement between China and Japan in 1885, saying that neither nation would send troops into Korea. Japanese troops went to fight the Chinese, starting the Sino-Japanese War. Over a period of a few months, Japanese forces rid Korea of the Chinese, destroyed thier navy, and began to invade Manchuria, a region in northern China. (1)
1895 The Japanese signed a peace treaty with China, ending the Sino-Japanese War and giving Japan Taiwan and the Pescadores Islands, it's first colonies. This Japanese victory over the Chinese surprised the world and showed Japan as a major world power, along with Russia. It also caused them to become enemies. (1)
1903 The Russians refused Japan's offer to allow Russia rights in Manchuria if they would stay out of Korea. (1)
1904 Japan attacked the Russian navy stationed off the coast of Manchuria and started the Russo-Japanese War. Japan rid Korea of the Russians, The Japanese captured the majority of Russia's Pacific fleet and completely destroyed Russia's Baltic fleet. (1)
1905 U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt helped the Japanese and the Russians write a peace treaty. The two countries signed the treaty off of the coast of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on a ship, This treaty that gave Japan it's captured territories and made Russia to leave Manchuria and Korea became known as the Treaty of Portsmouth. Japan made Korea a protectorate, or a land controlled and protected by another nation. Japan sent people to Korea called advisers, who continuously took power away from the government of Korea and the Korean king had no other nations helping him keep power. (1)
1907 The Korean king gave up control of Korea. (1)
1910 Japan officially brought Korea under their control. (1)
1910-1945 During this time, Japan had controlled over Korea. The Japanese were cruel leaders. They seized the Koreans' freedom of assembly and freedom of the press by banning public protest and shutting down newspapers. Japan took over Korean schools and forced the children to learn about Japanese history. They let the Japanese people start businesses in Korea but banned Koreans from owning their own businesses in their own country. They took land from Korean farmers to give to Japanese people. The Koreans tried protesting and revolting, but it did not work. Despite all of these horrible things, Japan did do some good in Korea. They modernized factories, communications, and ways of transportation. (1)
27 September 1940 Japan signed the Tripartite Pact, along with Germany and Italy. This pact made them official allies in whatever wars the one another would be in for the next ten years. (2)
December 7, 1941 Japan attacked Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii. 18 United States navy ships were destroyed, including ten battleships. (3)
December 8, 1941 President Roosevelt gave his "Day of Infamy" speech asking Congress for permission to declare war on Japan. Congress approved and America was officially involved in World War II. (3 and 4)
19 February 1942 President Roosevelt signed "Establishing the War Relocation Authority in the Executive Office of the President and Defining its Functions and Duties" order, or Order 9066, that calls for 10 Interment camps for Japanese-Americans. More than 110,000 Japanese-Americans were moved into these Interment camps during World War II. (5)
April 1945-June 1945 The Battle of Okinawa occurred. America beat Japan in this 82-day battle, leaving 100,000 Japanese soldiers dead, along with 42,000 civilians. 12,000 American soldiers were lost during this battle. This battle is thought to be a major turning point in World War II because it marked the beginning of the end of World War II. (6)
6 August 1945 The United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. (7 and 8)
9 August 1945 The United States dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan. (7 and 8)
15 August 1945 Japan surrendered to the United States. World War II was officially over. (8 and 9)
Sources
1. "Japan Modernizes." World History: Patterns of Interaction. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, n.d. 720-23. Print.
2. "Three-Power Pact Between Germany, Italy, and Japan, Signed at Berlin, September 27, 1940." The Avalon Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
3. "Japan Strikes in the Pacific." World History: Patterns of Interaction. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, n.d. 827. Print.
4. Franklin Delano Roosevelt - Pearl Harbor Address. YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
5. "Life Japanese Internment Camps." ThinkQuest. Oracle Foundation, n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
6. "Battle of Okinawa." GlobalSecurity.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
7. "The Decision to Drop the Bomb." U.S. History Online Textbook. N.p., 2013. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
8. "Atomic Bomb." World War 2 on History. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
9. Japanese Sign Final Surrender. YouTube. N.p., 06 Aug. 2007. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
2. "Three-Power Pact Between Germany, Italy, and Japan, Signed at Berlin, September 27, 1940." The Avalon Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
3. "Japan Strikes in the Pacific." World History: Patterns of Interaction. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, n.d. 827. Print.
4. Franklin Delano Roosevelt - Pearl Harbor Address. YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
5. "Life Japanese Internment Camps." ThinkQuest. Oracle Foundation, n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
6. "Battle of Okinawa." GlobalSecurity.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
7. "The Decision to Drop the Bomb." U.S. History Online Textbook. N.p., 2013. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
8. "Atomic Bomb." World War 2 on History. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
9. Japanese Sign Final Surrender. YouTube. N.p., 06 Aug. 2007. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.