The following dates and events tell the story of Japanese expansion prior to World War II. These events help explain why Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. For each event, read about it and summarize it.
Map of Expansion
Events
Research each event and summarize in a few sentences. Don't spend too much time on any one event or you will run out of time and give yourself homework!
- 1853-1854 - Commodore Matthew Perry's visit to Japan & resulting Treaty
- 1894 - 1st Sino-Japanese War
- 1904-1905 - Russo Japanese War & Portsmouth Treaty
- 1905 - Taft-Katsura Treaty
- 1910 - Japanese annexation of Korea
- 1914-1919 - World War I (Japan fights with allies)
- 1931 - Mukden Incident
- 1937 - Marco Polo Bridge Incident