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The Meiji Constitution
Abolished Feudalism, established a cabinet and parliament, began industrial development, gave Emperor complete control -
Treaty of Shimonoseki
China's surrender from Japan's superior army led to the end of the First Sino-Japanese War. The treaty made Korea independent from China, gave Taiwan and Liaodong Peninsula to Japan, opened four Chinese ports to Japan's ships and factories, and made China pay an indemnity for its loss.
Treaty was changed due to Russia and Germany's demands. Russia gained Port Arthur and Liaodong Peninsula, while Germany gained the Shantung Peninsula. Japan was too weak to argue with the world powers. -
Assassination of Empress Myeongseong in Korea
8,000 Japanese troops invaded Korea as a response to Korea violating the Japan-Korea Treaty with a series of Chinese-led coup d'états. Troops assassinated the leader, Empress Myeongseong, which started conflicts directly with China, leading to the First Sino-Japanese War -
Anglo-Japanese Alliance of 1902
Great Britain wanted to prevent further Russian expansion into China, made agreement with Japan that either country would aid if in conflict with 2+ countries. This was directed to French, preventing it from defending Russia from Japanese ships. -
Russo-Japanese War 1904-5
In response to the 200,000 Russian troops refusing to leave after being stationed in Manchuria to protect the railways from the Boxer Rebellion, Japan met with ambassadors to discuss its sphere of influence. Russia refused to comply and so Japan invaded Manchuria through Korea, defeated the Russian navy posted on the Liaodong Peninsula, and put Port Arthur under siege.
More Russian ships arrived only to be destroyed by Japanese navy, revolts began in Russia and Japan won against the World Power. -
World War I
Great Britain uses the Anglo-Japanese Alliance to call Japan to attack Germany's Pacific island colonies. Japan gains strength and confidence from the war, takes Shantung Peninsula with an increase of economy. -
Paris Peace Conference 1919
Japan became one of the founding members of the League of Nations, but knew it was seen as inferior as a non-European country. Korea annexed to Japanese Empire, German islands given to Japan, and Japan began conscription in its desire for a larger military. -
Washington Naval Conference
USA met with Great Britain and Japan to limit production of battleships.
No fortifications were supposed to be built in the Pacific except for Pearl Harbor
Large ship construction was halted for 10 years
japan was allowed to make 3 ships every 5 USA and Great Britain made, only allowing 60% of either country's tonnage -
Anglo-Japanese Alliance Suspended
After 21 years, Great Britain ends alliance with Japan, now Great Britain will not help if Japan attacks multiple nations -
Earthquake in Tokyo
Capital of Japan nearly destroyed, gave construction jobs for people in debt, raised the economy -
Peace Protection Law
Law passed in Japan to arrest Communists and Socialists -
Banks Fail
Apart from Zaibatsu controlling the Diet, rural and local banks fail due to the massive debt. Economy rapidly constricts to adjust, does not really help. -
Assassination of Zhang Zoulin
Japan's Kwantung Army disagreed with the government's choice to give Manchuria autonomy, and so disobeyed orders of protecting Zhang's rule by assassinating him.
Due to military officers' popularity with army and civilians, Japan's government did not enforce punishment. -
The Great Depression
Japan's cycle of economic crises took another bad turn with the Great Depression, putting rural farmers in greater debt with little industrial opportunities to escape to. Only job opportunity is joining the military.
Zaibatsus still gain money during the Great Depression -
London Naval Conference 1930
Great Britain, USA, and Japan met during the Great Depression to solve the problem of the tonnage limitations. Japan wanted 70% of the tonnage of either Britain's or USA's navy, but the genrō had to compromise to get 69.75%. Ultranationalists and navy demanded the 70%, and assassinated the Japanese prime minister. -
Mukden Incident
Bomb exploding at the South Manchurian Railway was used as an excuse for the Japanese army, stationed near the explosion, to take control of Manchuria. -
Lytton Commission
League of Nations spent a year investigating the people of Manchuria and whether Japan's intervention benefiting the Manchus and their government from China's instability. League of Nations' slow reaction gave Japan confidence, but the discovery that 90% of Manchuria was Chinese gave League reason to state Japan should give up Manchuria to China. -
Japan Leaves League of Nations
League of Nations condemns Japan as an aggressor state, Japan the leaves League, knowing its military will not be stopped by the League -
Japan Captures Jehol
After leaving League of Nations, Japanese army takes control of the Chinese province of Jehol -
Umezu-He Agreement
Chinese military demilitarizes most of Northern China and pulls back to allow Japanese conquest. Japan form Mankukuo and Mengjiang from conquered regions. -
Domestic Military Coup D'état
Military faction within the Japanese army attempts to overthrow the government, take away the zaibatsu and diet by overthrowing the Emperor. Coup fails. -
Marco Polo Bridge Incident 1937
Chinese government resists the Japanese invasion of China. Chiang Kai-shek wanted to defend the Qing Dynasty's capital, Beijing, and was the first resistance against the Japanese Expansion. -
Second Sino-Japanese War 1937-39
Russia attacks Manchukuo border, fighting then continues into Mongolia where Russia takes the region to end the war -
The Rape of Nanjiang
Japan takes Chinese Qing Dynasty Capital, rapes and kills any Chinese in cities taken due to ultranationalism -
Japan Takes Control of French Indochina
Japan invades French Indochina, USA takes away trade deals, a necessary part of Japan's economy. USA bans sale of scrap iron, steel, and oil, seizes Japanese products