Chapter 6 - Reasons for the outbreak of WWII in the Asia Paci fi c - Japan's ambition to establish itself in Asia and Europe Con fl ict with Russia Reason: Russian in fl uence in Manchuria; Japanese in fl uence in Korea; hence a threat to the other party's interests. Japan wanted a diplomatic agreement with Russia, but Russia was not interested in reaching a compromise as the East was seen as less powerful and inferior to the West. Japanese government responded to the threat by declaring a war on Russia, starting the 1904 Russo-Japanese War. The Japanese defeated the Russians in 1905. This gave Japan con fi dence that they could defeat the Western powers Treaty of Portsmouth signed after Russo-Japanese War: Japan gained control of the Liaodong Peninsula, the South Manchurian Railway, and southern half of Sakhalin Island. Con fl icts with China Japan: Wanted to take advantage of China's weaknesses and political instability; seized control of Taiwan and Korea from China in First Sino-Japanese war; issued the Twenty-One Demands in 1915, forcing China to give in to Japanese demands. First Sino-Japanese War (1894) Japan: Keen to take advantage of weak Chinese Qing government to take control of Chinese territory and trade, thus First Sino- Japanese war broke out between China and Japan in 1894. Treaty of Shimonoseki (1895) was signed after Japan's victory: China had to give up control of Korea and the island of Taiwan to Japan Taiwan: Administrated as a fi rst Japanese overseas colony Korea: Attempts to rule indirectly but unsuccessful; Japan annexed Korea in 1910 and ruled it directly. Twenty-One Demands In the 19th century, Western powers were very interested in China due to its large territory, population and potential for trade. Japan had control in Manchuria after Russo- Japanese War, as well as Korea and Taiwan after the First Sino-Japanese War. Japan was hence keep to expand further into China. During WWI: Japan fought alongside the Allies and occupied German- controlled Qingdao in Shandong Japan delivered the Twenty- One Demands as an ultimatum which wanted China to recognise Japanese interests in China Japan: Struggled to establish itself and gain equality with Western Powers; wanted to be considered as an equal amongst Western powers who built empires and controlled large territories. Japan relations with external powers played a major role in in fl uencing Japanese opinions and attitudes towards war. Alliance with Britain Britain: More welcoming to the rise of Japan; signed the Anglo- Japanese Alliance in 1902, which mutually recognised British and Japanese interests in Asia. Britain recognised Japan's right to defend Korea; Japan recognised Britain's right to defend India; both agreed that China was a placed of common interest. This gave legitimacy to Japan's colonial ambitions Worsening relations with the USA In the 19th and 20th century, racial desegregation and discrimination was common in American society - Laws were passed to protect American economic interests and to exclude Chinese, Korean and Japanese immigrants to prevent them from competing for jobs. Japan proposed the inclusion of racial equality into LON but was rejected by USA and other Western powers. Washington Naval Conference (1921) forced Japan to reduce its naval power more than America and Britain. Japanese was greatly offended by the racial discrimination and led to tense relations between Japan and USA 1882: Chinese Exclusion Act - suspended Chinese immigration 1905: Japanese and Korean Exclusion League - suspended Japanese and Korean immigration Paris Peace Conference (1919) - Japanese delegation demanded for racial equality to be included in the covenant of the LON - this was in response to discrimination of Japanese immigrants in USA Rejected, as no unanimous agreement was reached. Caused much unhappiness among the Japanese, who felt they were not given due respect by the Western powers