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Meiji Restoration
The Japanese people demanded that the emperor be restored as the head of the government instead of the military shogun. Emporer Meiji set about socially and economically modernizing Japan. Many aspects of society, such as education, government, military, and industry, were all modeled after Western powers.
SWWC: Japan's newfound prosperity led to a rise in military strength and nationalism, making Japan a serious force in East Asia. -
Berlin West Africa Conference
13 European nations met in Berlin to prevent war due to disputes in Africa. The conference resulted in the Treaty of Berlin which abolished slavery, gave all ships free passage on the Niger and Congo Rivers, removed war as a solution to disputes and said that for a nation to formally take possession of a territory it would have to be effectively occupied and recognized by other nations.
SWWC: The conference fueled the scramble even more as nations rushed to "effectively occupy" territory. -
Fashoda Crisis
Britain and France, both expanding in Africa, met I the village of Fashoda. The situation almost led to war as both nations were outraged, accusing each other of unjustified aggression. War was averted by an agreement in which Britain acknowledged French presence in Morocco and France recognized Britain's possession of Egypt and Sudan.
SWWC: The crisis marked a turning point in relations between B+F as they began to work diplomatically. -
Spanish-American War
The US went to war with Spain for less than 3 months 'on behalf' of Cuba and the Philippines. The US wanted to establish itself and increase its influence in the Caribbean and the Pacific. The US secured Cuban independence but formally annexed the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam
SWWC: The war was seen as a turning point in the US' foreign policy, moving towards imperialism. -
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Philippine-American War
The Philippines wanted independence like Cuba, this led to a rebellion for independence by the Filipinos. America went to war and stopped the revolution.
SWWC: Retaining control of the Philippines allowed the US to increase its trade and influence in Asia. -
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Second Boer War
Kruger demanded the withdrawal of British troops and independence for the Transvaal. Kruger declared war when Britain refused this. Britain won the war after 4 years by using frowned-upon tactics like "scorched earth" and concentration camps.
SWWC: The war made Britain realize that it desperately needed to expand it's military and seek more international allies to avoid being challenged again by small groups like the Boers. -
Anglo-Japanese Alliance
Britain and Japan adopted a common approach to the threat that Russia posed in the Far East. In the alliance, they agreed to support each other if two or more nations attacked, Britain recognized Japanese rights in Korea, and Japan decided to use its fleet to protect British interests in the Far East.
SWWC: This was the first time that Japan was recognized as an equal by a European power. -
Entente Cordiale
B+F were both concerned by Germany's aggressive imperial policy. This led the two of them to sign the Entente Cordiale, an agreement of friendship between the two nations. Britain agreed to recognize the French presence in Morocco, and France formally acknowledged British control over Egypt, similar to the agreement that ended the Fashoda Crisis.
SWWC: Wilhelm ll of Germany saw the Entente as a threat to German security, also, B+F would remain allies throughout the early 1900s. -
Russo-Japanese War
Japan initially approached Russia for a settlement over Japanese rights in Korea and Russian rights in Manchuria. Russia, convinced it was superior, invaded Korea leading to a war that Japan won due to assistance from its ally, France, and because the Russian fleet was spread across the world. The Treaty of Portsmouth ended the war, recognized Japan's rights in Korea, and ended Russian influence in Manchuria. SWWC: Marked the first time that an Asian nation defeated a European power. -
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Serbia posed a major threat to Austria as they wanted to free the South Slavs in the region. Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne was assassinated in Serbia on 28 June 1914. Fueled by existing tensions, Austria declared war on Serbia.
SWWC: Due to the alliance system in Europe, this event caused the outbreak of the First World War.