Japanese Imperialism
The Empire of Japan officially began through the Meiji Restoration on January 3, 1868, under Emperor Meiji. The Meiji Restoration was a time period (1868 to 1912) in which Japan gained its imperial power. The main components of the restoration included industrialization, westernization, and militarization. Meiji leaders set up a new, modern banking system, improved ports, built new railroads, and organized a telegraph and postal system. During this time period, Korea was under the control of the Chinese Qing Dynasty. Japan became increasingly intrigued in Korea's natural resources as it gained its power through industrialization, and wanted to disrupt China's control over the territory of Korea. At this time, Korea was a tributary state, meaning that although they were independent, they acknowledged the supremacy of China due to its greater amount of power. About thirty years into the time period, Japan went to war with the Qung Empire as conflicts arose because both were interested in Korea. This war was known as the first Sino-Japanese War. The war lasted from 1894-1895, and Japan was victorious. China was forced to sign a treaty, known as the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which gave Japan the territory of Taiwan.
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Just ten years after Japan's win against the Chinese, Japan seeked to extend its territory once again. They challenged Russia, seeking power in Korea and Manchuria. These rival empires both had conflicting imperial ambitions in Korea and Manchuria. They went to war, known as the Russo-Japanese War, which lasted from February of 1904, to September of 1905. Japan was victorious for a second time, and signed the Treaty of Portsmouth with Russia which gave Japan control of Korea and parts of Manchuria.
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