Background
Everyone knows about Japan's involvement in World War II. Japan was without a doubt imperialistic. Its first major colonisation was the island of Formosa, or what we call presently, Taiwan, in 1874. Japan gained confidence as a growing world power when it defeated the Russians in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. And with this thirst for power came a thirst for expansion. Not only did the Japanese gain part of Sakhalin from the Russians, they also gained control of Korea in 1910.
The last Japanese acquisition before World War II was Manchuria in 1931. They established a puppet government known as Manchukuo, and even installed the young Manchurian Emperor Puyi as a way of currying favor from the Manchurian minority.
The last Japanese acquisition before World War II was Manchuria in 1931. They established a puppet government known as Manchukuo, and even installed the young Manchurian Emperor Puyi as a way of currying favor from the Manchurian minority.
"The Last Emperor," Puyi, with his Empress wife, Wanyong.
With these three territories under their domain, Japan was able to drive into inland China, as far in as Inner Mongolia. By the time WWII had ended, the Japanese had their claws in Burma, the Dutch East Indies and the Philippines.
In our current day, all of these aforementioned countries/lands have been liberated from the Japanese. Everything seems at peace; imperialism is a thing of the past, we might say.
Yet, it couldn't be any more further from the truth. There are a still pieces of land out there "up for grabs." Furthermore, what about the psychological effects on the subjugated people? After years of imperial rule, these countries have more than just a few tough memories. Like Korea and China, many still struggle with the travesties caused by Japanese occupation.
The Russians ceded the southern half of Sakhalin after their humiliating loss. (Right Picture)
In our current day, all of these aforementioned countries/lands have been liberated from the Japanese. Everything seems at peace; imperialism is a thing of the past, we might say.
Yet, it couldn't be any more further from the truth. There are a still pieces of land out there "up for grabs." Furthermore, what about the psychological effects on the subjugated people? After years of imperial rule, these countries have more than just a few tough memories. Like Korea and China, many still struggle with the travesties caused by Japanese occupation.
The Russians ceded the southern half of Sakhalin after their humiliating loss. (Right Picture)