A Timeline of Events That Have Shaped Japan
- Buddhism: During this time, Buddhism was introduced to Japan when a Korean ruler communicated the religion to the Emperor of Japan at the time. Now, more than half of Japan identify as Buddhists.
- The Onin War: Due to economic distress, civil war broke out under the rule of the shogun. Temples and homes were destroyed with much more damage to the area around .
- Matthew C. Perry: U.S. Naval Officer Perry successfully negotiates with Japan for months to open its trade with the United States.
- The Meiji Restoration: During this time, the people of Japan were under rule by Emperor Meiji who brought wealth & power to Japan. It was under his rule that essentially changed the entire political and social structure.
- Japan's Involvement in WWI: Japan declares war on Germany after their rejection of the ultimatum given to them by the Prime Minister of the time.
- The Great Kanto Earthquake of Japan: A powerful earthquake, followed by a devastating tsunami shook Japan, destroying Tokyo and Yokohama and killing more than 100,000 people.
- Sino-Japanese War: Japan invades China, declaring a civil war between the two countries for resources and geographical positioning and national survival.
- The Tripartite Pact: Despite their differences in WWI, Japan, Germany and Italy sign the Tripartite Pact, an anti-communist agreement.
- Pearl Harbor: Making history for all to remember, Japan bombs Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, declaring their war with the U.S. entering WWII.
- Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: The United States drop atomic bombs on the two cities of Japan, bringing WWII to an end.
Respectively, images were found at:
- http://www.johnworldpeace.com/budjesus.asp
- http://epicworldhistory.blogspot.com/2012/10/onin-war-in-japan.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_C._Perry
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Meiji
- http://juxtintime.com/2014/08/24/war-headlines-from-august-24-1914-japan-declares-war-on-germany/
- http://aboutjapan.japansociety.org/content.cfm/tokyo_street_earthquake
- http://www.kingsacademy.com/mhodges/03_The-World-since-1900/06_Dictatorship/06c_Turmoil-in-Asia.htm
- http://teacher.scholastic.com/pearl/timeline/time6.htm
- http://jackiewhiting.net/AmStudies/Units1314/Liberty/PearlHarbor.html
- https://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/
Japan has undoubtedly had a very colorful and vibrant history with no dull areas. Each decade and century has been filled with important events that would eventually shape the country of Japan to become the nation that they are today. Whether it was the introduction of a religion that would eventually become one of the most practiced religions of the country, or the involvement in domestic and foreign wars across the world that would eventually lead to an alliance, Japan has faced it all. There were several significant individuals that played a role in Japan’s development. Beginning with naval officer Matthew Perry, who tirelessly negotiated a treaty between Japan and the United States that would allow for “Peace and friendship between the United States and Japan, opening of two ports to American ships at Shimoda and Hakodate, help for any American ships wrecked on the Japanese coast and protection for shipwrecked persons, and permission for American ships to buy supplies, coal, water, and other necessary provisions in Japanese ports” (Commodore Perry and the Opening of Japan”. Through Perry, Japan opened its ports to expand their resources and economic status. Domestically, it was Emperor Meiji who brought the nation of Japan to flourish both socially and economically. It was interesting to see the number of changes that would sprout between such differences, which include Japans declaration of war against Germany in World War 1 that would ultimately end in alliance and peace between the two countries just 30 years later. Similarly with the United States, despite the attacks in World War 2, Japan and the U.S. remain close allies.
More information can be found by following the links below!
- http://www.datesandevents.org/places-timelines/29-timeline-of-ancient-japan.htm
- http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/japan/history-timeline
Works Cited
- Bjorge, G. (2011, November 13). Invasion of China. Retrieved November 25, 2014, from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781444338232.wbeow112/pdf
- Hammer, J. (2011, January 1). The Great Japan Earthquake of 1923. Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-great-japan-earthquake-of-1923-1764539/
- A Brief History of Buddhism in Japan. (2004, January 1). Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://www.buddhanet.net/nippon/nippon_partI.html
- Commodore Perry & Opening of Japan. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/teach/ends/opening.htm
- Count Okuma on the Japanese Capture of Tsingtao, 15 August 1914. (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2014, from http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/tsingtau_okuma.htm
- The Meiji Restoration and Modernization. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/special/japan_1750_meiji.htm
- The Onin War. (2014, August 6). Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/300531/Japan/23156/The-Onin-War-1467-77
Japanese History and Earliest Settlement Timeline
Japanese History and Settlement on Dipity.