Rise of Militarism : Japan (1919-37)

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Japan was known as Nippon, the Land of the Rising Sun. Until the middle of the 19th century, it lived a hermit life and followed a policy of isolation. Its ports were closed to all except a few Dutch …

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Commodore Matthew Perry was an American naval officer who opened Japan to the outside world. On July 8, 1853, four American ships under his command anchored at Edo Bay. He carried a letter from Presid…

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The 1854 treaty opened the ports of Shimoda and Hakodate to American ships. It also required help for shipwrecked American sailors on the Japanese coast and allowed American ships to buy supplies, coa…

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It was considered an unequal treaty because it gave the Western powers one-sided economic and legal advantage in Japan. Japan was forced to open its country under pressure rather than equal negotiatio…

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Japan began major reforms to regain independence and modernize. Industrialization started, agrarian reforms were introduced, democratic government gradually developed, a new constitution was enforced …

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Japan became a stronger power in the Far East and gained from wartime trade. Its export of cotton cloth almost trebled, and its merchant fleet doubled in tonnage.

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In 1925, all adult males in Japan were given voting rights. This was part of the democratic reforms, although democracy did not remain strong for long.

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Despite democratic reforms, military influence grew stronger. The army and Conservatives were powerful in the upper house of Parliament and the Privy Council, and they opposed democracy. Economic dist…