New History Textbook (Chapter 4 & 5) 2005 version - Bakumatsu Films

attles, did everything in his power to spare the life of the defeated Russian general. Even in Meiji
Japan, the precepts of bushido (the traditional samurai code), one of which is showing mercy to the
vanquished, were still alive.
59 Japan Joins the Ranks of the World Powers
What was the significance of Japan’s joining the ranks of the world powers?
A New Challenge for Japan
By winning both the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese wars, Japan attained an objective that it
had been endeavoring to accomplish since the last days of the Shogunate: maintain Japanese
independence in the face of pressure from the Western powers. Japan’s status in the international
community rose, as the nation joined the ranks of the world powers. The modernization of Japan
had been completed.
However, with Japan’s rise in international stature came a heavy burden. The Western powers
began to view Japan, the only great power populated by people of color, as a threat.
The Annexation of Korea
After the Russo-Japanese War, Japan proceeded to control Korea more tightly, establishing a
Residency-General there. Japan recognized the Western powers’ colonies and spheres of
influence: India (Great Britain), Indochina (France), the Philippines (the U.S.) and Outer Mongolia
(Russia ). In exchange, they accepted Japanese influence in Korea.
The Japanese government decided that it was necessary to annex Korea to protect Japanese
security and Japanese interests in Manchuria. In 1910, Japan proceeded with the annexation,
suppressing protests with military force.
Within Korea, there was bitter opposition to the loss of independence. Even after Japanese
annexation, the movement to restore independence remained deep-rooted and active.
Some of the colonial policies implemented by the Government-General of Korea, established after
annexation, were development projects designed to construct railroads and irrigation facilities;
land surveys began. But due to the surveys many Koreans were driven off the land they had been
cultivating. Furthermore, introducing of Japanese language instruction into school curriculum and
other assimilation programs increased anti-Japanese sentiments among the Koreans.
Birth of the Republic of China
Japan proceeded to develop Taiwan (acquired after the Sino-Japanese War), establishing a
Government-General on the island, and suppressing popular resistance. China, Japan’s former
enemy, sent numerous exchange students to Japan to learn from Japan’s modernization. In 1905,
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