20th Century Japan's Imperial Power

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Many of the world powers of the 20th century were searching for or ensuring their continued possession of power. For Japan, their power fluctuated, depending on whether they were in times of war or peace, riches or poverty, and their allegiances. After having fought with the Allies during World War I, Japan prospered but was then discriminated against leading to Japan switching sides and fighting alongside the Axis powers in World War II. Japan’s entered World War II seeking power by means of land, natural resources, and military dominance.
In 1853 the United States forced Japan into signing the Convention of Kanagawa that opened various Japanese ports to trade with the United States. This was disturbing to the Japanese who thought they were …show more content…

This began in the year 1900 when Japan passed a law saying that only members of the military could be apart of cabinet. This law was passed because the emperor wanted to give something in return to the soldiers for their service. Because of the military’s new found position of power they began to control the government and the country, leading to much more militaristic strategies and values. General Sadao Araki stated, “It is Japan's mission to be supreme in Asia, the South Seas and eventually the four corners of the world.” Japan became focused on military dominance and supremacy. These changes in the governing style of Japan led to aggressive tactics which would start the Second Sino-Japanese …show more content…

In 1919, Japan was one of five countries writing the Treaty of Versailles, which was a peace treaty made right after World War I. It defined how countries needed to treat each other and regulated some international law. Japan suggested there be a clause stating that no country can discriminate against another on the grounds of race but the other countries refused. There was specific tension between the United States and Japan. The United States felt that Japan was violating the Washington Naval Treaty, a treaty Japan felt was discriminatory against. It limited Japan to a navy three-fifths the size of the United States’s and England’s. In addition, in 1924, the United States passed the Oriental Exclusion Act which prohibited any Japanese immigrants from entering the country. These instances of discrimination, as well as other, led to Japan’s hatred of western

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