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An emerging power, 1895 to 1919

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Japan proved its new strength by defeating China and then Russia. By 1919 it sat with the great powers at Versailles.

War with China

In the Sino-Japanese War (1894 to 95) Japan defeated China and gained Taiwan.
Japanese troops also joined the international force against China's Boxer Rebellion (1900).

Alliance and war with Russia

The Anglo-Japanese Alliance (1902) was the first between a Western great power and an Asian nation.
In the Russo-Japanese War (1904 to 05), Japan won, including a crushing naval victory at Tsushima. This shocked the world: an Asian power had beaten a European one.
Japan annexed Korea in 1910.

Taisho Japan

Emperor Taisho reigned from 1912. Political parties grew stronger: this period is called Taisho Democracy.
Japan joined the Allies in the First World War and took German territories in Asia.
At Versailles (1919) Japan gained former German rights, but its proposal for racial equality was rejected, causing resentment.
Worked example

Why was the Russo-Japanese War so significant?

  1. Japan defeated Russia, a major European power.
  2. It was the first modern victory of an Asian nation over a European one.
  3. It established Japan as a great power.

Answer: It showed an Asian nation could defeat a European great power.

Key idea

Japan beat China (1894 to 95), gaining Taiwan, and joined against the Boxers (1900). The Anglo-Japanese Alliance (1902) and victory over Russia (1904 to 05) made Japan a great power; Korea was annexed (1910). Taisho Democracy began in 1912; at Versailles (1919) Japan gained territory but its racial equality proposal was rejected.

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