Japanese Expansion

By kianshinaver
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    The Sino-Japanese War

    This war was a fight between China and Japan for control of Korea. Following this war, Korea was now an independent state and Japan gained more control over it.

  • The Treaty of Shimonoseki

    This treaty was signed by both Japan and China. This treaty ended the Sino-Japanese War, giving Korea full independence from China. Also, Taiwan was given to Japan and Japan was allowed to operate ships on the Yangtze River.
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    The Russo-Japanese War

    Japan and Russia went to war over their interests in Korea. Japan ambushed Russia and the war followed. Upon completion, Japan gained control of Korea and some areas in China.

  • The Treaty of Portsmouth

    This treaty was negotiated by the United States and ended the Russo-Japanese War. This treaty gave Japan the ability to use Port Arthur and the Liaodong Peninsula and the Southern Manchuria Railway. These rewards did not satisfy Japan.

  • Explosion on South Manchurian Railway

    A bomb exploded on the railway outside the city of Manchuria. This was used as an excuse by the Japanese to occupy all of Manchuria.

  • League of Nations forms Lytton Commission

    The Lytton Commission was formed to investigate the Mukden Incident and Japan's occupation.

  • Japan withdraws from League of Nations

    The League of Nations General Assembly voted on motion to condemn Japan as an aggressor nation. Then, Japan removed itself from the League.

  • The Umezu-He Agreement

    This agreement created a large demilitarized zone throughout much of northern China.

  • Doihara Kenji-Qin Dechun Agreement

    In this agreement, China agreed to remove all troops from the Manchukuo border again and from all Charar Province.
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    The Second Sino-Japanese War

    This war began when China began to militarily resist the expansion of Japan into China's territory. Through the intervention of other countries. Eventually, Japan was forced to surrender in 1945.

  • The Marco Polo Bridge Incident

    Chinese and Japanese troops fought on the Marco Polo Bridge, which prompted Japan requesting an apology from China.

  • Chiang Kai-shek has a bomber aircraft attach an area of Shanghai that was controlled by Japan

    As China was rapidly becoming occupied by Japan, Chiang responded by a bomber attack Shanghai. This confirmed that Japan and China were at war.

  • Japan forms the Shanghai Expeditionary Army

    Japan forms this army in order to take control of Shanghai.

  • China appeals to the League of Nations

    China appealed to the League. The League referred to the previously-signed nine-power treaty in Washington in 1922. The Conference met and declared that Japan and China should suspend their hostilities and work with other countries to resolve the situation. Neither country agreed.

  • Chinese forces ordered to evacuate Shanghai

    After Japan's use of superior air and naval forces and its army, Chinese troops were forced to withdraw from Shanghai. This allowed for Japan to control the remains of the city.

  • Japan organized the Central China Area Army

    Japan organized the Central China Area Army to attempt to move in on Nanjing. Japan's troops easily overpowered Chinese troops.

  • Chiang Kai-shek orders Chinese government to be moved to the city of Wuhan

    As Japan easily overpowered China in and around Nanjing, Kai-shek ordered the government to move to Wuhan for safety.

  • Siege on Najing

    Japan's Central China Area army began their attack on Nanjing. With the evacuation of Chinese government, only a small army remained to defend the capital city. They were easily overtaken by Japan. The siege lasted two days.

  • The Nanjing Massacre

    As Japan overtook the city of Nanjing, the head of the Central China Area Army, Prince Asaka, ordereed that any Chinese captured should be executed. The troops moved through the city killing all of the soldiers, looted properties, and raping women and children.

  • USA Loans China $25 Million

    The United States approves a loan to China fro $25 million. This was the only interest the US had shown in the war. After the loan, the US remained fairly uninvolved in the conflict.

  • Chiang destroys dikes and floods over 70,000 square km.

    Chiang ordered the destruction of dikes on the Yellow River. This resulted in the flooding of over 70,000 km and the death of almost half a million Chinese people. This action led to a loss of support for the Chinese army.

  • Temporary Capital of China, Wuhan, is captured.

    Japan's troops advanced on Wuhan. The Chinese army, in order to conserve their forces abandoned the city on the 25th of October. The Japanese quickly captured the city.

  • Tripartite Pact Signed

    This pact created a formal alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan.

  • USA Oil Embargo on Japan

    The USA was Japan's largest oil supplier. Without oil, Japan's war effort against China would collapse. This event increased tension between Japan and the USA and added to the causes of Pearl Harbor.

  • The Attack on Pearl Harbor

    On this day, Japan launched an attack on the US military base of Pearl Harbor. This attack was very damaging to the United States. This event led the United States to officially join the war efforts against Japan.