1. How did Japan become a World Power by 1912?

Lesson Tasks
  1. Discuss - What makes a country a leading world power? Brainstorm all the ways in which a country could be considered a world power. Consider what factors would help measure this and what information you would need to find out to make a judgement.
  2. Research - In pairs, you will need to form an opinion on the question, “To what extent was Japan a leading world power by 1912?”. Research and find evidence about Japan by 1912 in order to support or critique the statement. Record your findings on this worksheet. You have three resources to use:
    1. Meiji and Taisho Japan - An Introductory Essay
    2. The Meiji Restoration and Modernisation - Simple Overview
    3. On the Turn - Japan in 1900 - A History Today Article
    4. Lesson PowerPoint 1 and Lesson PowerPoint 2
  3. Quickwrite - Using the information you have gathered, write a short response (1-2 paragraphs) answering the research question: "To what extent was Japan a leading world power by 1912?".

2. What was the impact of the First World War on Japan?

Lesson Tasks
  1. Download, read, and make notes on the Lesson PowerPoint.
  2. Using this worksheet, research the following events and make notes on what happened, what caused that event, and what the impact was on Japan:
    1. 1908 - Gentlemen's Agreement between Japan and USA
    2. 1908 - Root-Takahira Notes
    3. 1912 - Taisho Political Crisis
    4. 1914 - Siege of Qingdao
    5. 1914 - Seizure of German Pacific Colonies
    6. 1915 - 21 Demands, China
    7. 1917 - Liansing-Ishii Agreement
    8. 1917 - Nishihara Loans
    9. 1918 - Appointment of Hara Takashi as Prime Minister
    10. 1918 - Rice Riots
    11. 1918 - Siberian Intervention
    12. 1919 - Paris Peace Conference
    13. 1921 - Washington Naval Conference
  3. Read and make notes from Chapter 3 of Buruma, I. (2003). Inventing Japan 1853-1964.

3. What was Taisho Democracy?

Lesson Tasks
  1. Download, read, and make notes from the Lesson PowerPoint.
  2. Examine this data showing election results and governments between 1912-1932. Use it and the Lesson Presentation to make a timeline of key events for this period.
  3. Read and make notes from pages 161-181 (Chapter 10) of Andrew Gordon's (2003) A Modern History of Japan. Then answer these questions:
    1. Which two parties emerged as the main political parties? Summarise their ideological differences.
    2. Party government ascended during the ‘Taisho democracy’. What evidence is there of a more democratic representative style of government at this time? Aim to mention significant individuals as well as policies.
    3. On the other hand, what evidence is there that an elite oligarchy continued to rule Japan? Mention significant individuals as well as policies enacted.
    4. Look closely at the structure of Parliamentary government in Gordon. Outline the reasons behind oligarchy, compromise politics and a seemingly weak democracy. Spend considerable time on this.
    5. What is ultra-nationalism? Outline the reasons for its ascendance in Japan during this period.
    6. Was Japan an imperialist nation at this time? What evidence supports this view? What evidence does not support this view? Mention China largely in this answer.
    7. How was Japan treated by the western powers in treaties and other formal agreements? Give examples. (Paris, London, Washington)
    8. What was the Universal Manhood Suffrage Act?
    9. What was the Peace preservation Law?
    10. Is there a contradiction in the passing of these two laws?

4. How did Japan develop during the 1920s?

Lesson Tasks
  1. Download, read, and make notes from the Lesson Presentation. 
  2. Brainstorm - In pairs, write down the words: economy, society, culture. Brainstorm what you know about Japan in the 1920s based on these three factors. Share your ideas with the class.
  3. Investigation - In groups, investigate how Japan developed during the 1920s. Use the resources linked to on this worksheet, and complete the table by:
    1. Make a list of all the evidence of changes in Japan between 1912-1932.
    2. Decide whether these changes were positive or negative for Japan?
  4. Reading - Finish your reading of Chapter 9 from Gordon, and use it to answer these review questions.
Proudly powered by Weebly