Japanese Imperialism Essay

The country of Japan was originally a region that was isolated from the rest of the world. Laws set in place by the Japanese government served the purpose of separating Japan from the other countries of the world. The act of trading with foreign countries was strictly forbidden, and traveling abroad was a crime that was punishable by death. This isolation from the rest of the world would prove to be an issue for Japan. With their inferior technology, they fell victim to the imperialism of the western powers, just as their Chinese counterparts did. The Japanese were subject to unfair treaties that favoured the western powers, which was humiliating for the Japanese people. Japan realized that something was going to have to change if they were
The Meiji Constitution also established a bicameral legislature known as the Diet. Japan also began to model its military after that of the western powers. With these industrializations taking place, Japan was on its way to becoming a major power. With its newfound power, Japan was ready to challenge the powers of the rest of the world. Japan made plans to revise the unfair treaties that were forced upon them, in order to take back the dignity of their country. Japan, like the other world powers, was interested in gaining more power through imperialism. An example of Japanese imperialism has to do with China. China and Japan both had an interest in Korea, and there was a conflict. Japan came out victorious, and was even able to gain the island of Taiwan. However, a dispute with Russia (known as the Russo-Japanese war) over territory in Manchuria and Korea was the announcement to the world that Japan was now a force to be reckoned with. Japan’s victory surprised the other nations, and Japan gained more power through this victory. For Japan, Korea was a very valuable place to control, as Korea had needed resources, and was close to