Turning points in modern Japanese history Essay -- Japan Japanese His

Turning Points in Modern Japanese History The late nineteenth century marked the changing of government, policy, and culture within Japan. In order to understand the nation-state as it is known today, it is important to note key events in the turning of the Meiji Nation in to what is now known as modern Japan. Due to primarily discourse between Japan and China, and later Japan and the United States, the modern nation's expansive empire was annihilated. Militarism and expansionism disappointed the empire as China thwarted the Japanese efforts, with the help of the United States. Events marking the change of the Japanese empire in to the modern empire of today include the Sino-Japanese War and its consequences, tensions and international treaties with China, and most obviously, the Pacific War with the United States. These events marked the transformation of a militaristic and expansionist empire in to a democratic nation and ally. Japanese expansionism was politically and economically motivated in the case of expanding in to Korea. Korea, under the control of China, was seen as an economic source for Japan as well as an opportunity to expand Japanese security. After two Opium Wars and the Sino-French War, China had become weak and was unable to resist western intervention and encroachment. Japan saw this as an opportunity to replace Chinese influence in Korea with its own. In 1894 the Japanese entered conflict with China over the territory of Korea known as the Sino-Japanese war. The Tongchak Rebellion of 1894, however, was the turning point in war against China. As Korea was struggling against the Japanese forces, 2,000 Chinese soldiers came to assist the Koreans against Japan. This was seen as a breach of the previously ... ...economic conditions that had made Japan an aggressor nation, and transforming Japan into a peaceful democratic nation. Under the guidance of U.S. general Douglas MacArthur the Japanese were subjected to the most sweeping program of reform they had experienced since the Meiji Restoration. The establishment of Democracy in Japan is crucial in the composition of the modern nation of Japan. The modern nation of Japan is a result of expansionist prospects that resulted in war between the nations of Korea, China, and the United States. Modern Japan is a result of the Sino-Japanese War, conflict with China, and the Pacific War, as well as the process of establishing a democratic state. These events combined (as well as numerous others not mentioned in this paper) marked the transformation of a militaristic and expansionist empire in to a democratic nation and ally.