Japan's Role in WWI
Japan played a comparatively small role in WWI compared to the other powers, mostly attacking German colonies in Asia. Japan entered the war on the side of Britain. In Asia, Japan focused on attacking German-leased territory in China. Japan then took control of German-built mines, railroads, and other industrial concerns and occupying German territories in the Pacific. Japan then concentrated on supplying the other combatants with war material, enjoying strong economic growth when European and American markets opened up to Japanese goods. In 1915, Japan issued the Twenty-One Demands to China. This was possible because international attention was directed towards WWI. The demands signified Japan's desire to establish itself on the Chinese mainland, especially in Manchuria. Japan received huge concessions in China, but soon fractured into warlordism, which was so unstable it offered little guarantee for Japan's rights. This led to an anxiety towards China, which greatly affected Japan's foreign policy towards China in the coming years.
Main points
- Territorial Concessions
- Gained all of Germany's territory
- Shandong province
- Racial Equality Clause refused in Treaty of Versailles
- Gained advanced technology from German colonies
- Showed the power of the Japanese Army