Theodore Roosevelt’s the Threat of Japan

Document Theodore RooseveltThe menace of lacquer, 1909 At Mt. Holyoke Introduction For my history assignment, I chose the document Theodore Roosevelts The Threat of lacquer. After the Meiji amends in 1868, modernization took place, delivery japan to the height of power equivalent to a western power after struggled defeating both mainland China and Russia. United maintains was maintaining its polity of isolationism but was slowly transitioning to self-importance-importance amour imperialism, guardianship control over countries with economic benefit such(prenominal) as open door policy with China.A drumhead of this article would be Roosevelts changing ideas of how US should change their foreign policy with impress to the dynamic change in the chemical equilibrium of world powers in 1909. My essay shall first reckon the supporting points of the documents including the credibility of the source, reasons why Japan is a holy terror and immigration problems. Opposing points to mention would be that the document may be affect by the mentality of whites men supremacy. All things considered, I largely agree with the source and President Roosevelts compend of Japan as a threat.Paragraph 1 Credibility of source The document is a primary source, written by Theodore Roosevelt himself at the point of time to Senator Knox, free original evidence in light to our argument. I provoke two considerations with regard to the sources credibility, the credentials of the author and the timeliness of the events. Theodore Roosevelt as the twenty-sixth president of the United States, have he assumed positions at the city, state, and federal levels before elected as president and was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.As he has a reputation to uphold aboard his p eternal sleepigious titles, there is less likeliness of him to be bias in his reports. The documented c at unitary timerns give factual material in line with the events happening at that point of time. It is t rue that Japan has formidable soldiery power and considered themselves to be on a full equality after their victory in the Russo-Japanese war in 1904-1905. There was also an immigration problem of Japanese flocking by the hundred thousand into the US and California general assembly threatens to pass 17 anti-Japanese measures in 1909. As the ource is based on much concrete evidence as cross referenced with the timeline of events, I can consider that this document is credible to a large extent. Paragraph 2 Japan as a threat At the start of the 20th century, Japan came to be pictured as a political menace against United States, and her immigrants had been considern as a threat to American institution and economic security. Her victory in the Sino-Japanese war and Russo-Japanese War labored Roosevelt to see Japan as an equal. Meiji restoration where Japan combined Western advances with their own traditional values subsequently adopting modernization and military conscription.They view themselves as macrocosm encroached by foreigners under the unequal treaty system of the United States thus justifying Japans expansionistic intents. Examples would be Japan forcing its focus through the Northeast China through the ownership of South Manchurian railway and formal control of Manchuria inherited from Russia. In the event of Portsmouth Treaty and the novelty of the Anglo-Japanese alliance in 1905, Japan used this chance to claim interest in Korea. Roosevelt ac familiarityd Japans military capabilities and is cautious when dealing with them.His noneworthy Big quell kickshaw can be seen as he uses the concept of speaking softly, engaging in undisturbed negotiation while having a big stick, a toughened military. This is evident in the statement treat Japan courteously that she volition not be offended more than than necessary and constantly accent the need of keeping the Navy at the highest point of efficiency. Roosevelt stressed harshly upon the need tha t the Navy needs to be strong in order to first keep Japan at bay through deterrence theory and secondly able to win wars if the need always arise to.This shows that Roosevelt took Japan as a menace very seriously, and has placed in effect, measures that prevent the threat from manifesting. Paragraph 3 Japans immigration problems Since the opening of Japan from its self imposed seclusion policy in 1854, scholars have studied aboard to acquire Western teachings. The immigration problem manifested once Japanese started immigrating to Hawaii, Canada and US incite by economic gains and evasion of military services. In the year 1900 alone, 12000 Japanese entered United States and by 1910 the population trebled to a wide of 72,517.Although this bought a solution to their submit of cheap labour, another set of problems arise in the form of economic, racial and anti-Japanese agitation. Examples included would be San Francisco School Board enforced separationism of education condition between Japanese and American children, and California legislature passing offensive legislation aiming at Japanese. This background knowledge is coherent in identifying the affable problems such as a race problem and vie is forecasted if nothing is done to keep them out.He understands that his people will not permit the Japanese to sum in as citizens and will not tolerate their presences. US experienced widespread anti-Japanese sentiments and this is supported from evidence that Roosevelt received insults such as an unpatriotic President, who coupled with aliens to break down the civilization of his own countrymen by San Francisco Chronicle when he decided to back Japan up against segregation measures by other nations. merely Roosevelts reasons was that he did not wish to create tension and friction between the relations of two countries and hope to continue with their peaceful diplomatic attempts to prevent all possibility of war. In essence, despite the anti-Japanese agita tion of the people with their measures in place, Roosevelt institute it hard to openly support them as he hopes to continue their mutual correspond efforts in diplomacy and restrain from any form of conflict. Paragraph 4 albumen Mens SupremacyAn uncertainty would be that Roosevelt may be around bias due to the prevalent widespread ideology of White mens supremacy at that point of time. In the height of imperialism, the poem of The White Mans Burden by Rudyard Kipling bought about feelings of superiority and condescending view over the less developed countries principally Asia. The Whites have the obligation to bump over the indigenous population through colonialization and civilizing mission to educate them. The relationship between US and Japan was marked with tensions with regard to economic and commercial interest over Asia.Roosevelt may view Japan in a negative light such as an aggressor because he felt that only US has a legitimate rule and control over China, unlike an i nferior Asian country like Japan However in Roosevelts analysis, the rest of the US has a different impression of Japan. He claims that the moment everything is smooth and pleasant, there will be a din for a stoppage in the building up of the navy. It can be inferred from Roosevelt that US is easily conceited and once they are in their comfort zone, they will forgot how big a threat Japan possess. ConclusionIn context to what we have learnt so far, it is most relevant to our lecture 6 of Culture of soaring Imperialism Japan. Through the rating of this document, we have seen that Western power, US, have acknowledged the might of an Asian country, Japan. There have been a change in the balance of global power at that point of time and White Men Supremacy ideology was tested as Japan defeat Russia and China. United States President Roosevelt was forced to recognize the whole question of our dealings with the Orient is certain to grow in importance and there was a drastic change of perception of the cordial construct of the world.He highlighted Japan as a threat of interest and territory in Asia as well as humanity of an immigrant problem of racial contest in Hawaii and parts of US. Roosevelt gave solutions such as Big Stick Diplomacy of building up the Navy and keeping it strong to deter Japan from attacking them. He stressed that Senator Knox should not lower his guard during moments of peace and overlook the job of keeping the Navy in its highest point of efficiency as well as controlling the emigration rate of Japanese into US.I have tested the sources credibility and found it to be largely steady-going and largely agree that Japan was a threat to US in the early 1900s and Roosevelt was correct to identify them as one and implement solutions to counter their aggression. 1496 wrangle Bibliography Chitoshi Yananga, Japan Since Perry (Achron Books Hamden, Connecticut, 1966) David Cody, The growth of the British Empire, Associate Professor of English, (Har twick College Paragraph 4) 1988 Hunt, Lynn, Thomas R. Martin, Barbara H. Rosenwein, R. Po-chia Hsia et al.. The Making of the West, Peoples and Cultures.Vol. C. 3rd ed. Boston Bedford/ St. Martins, 2009. Mark Canada The wangle Reference Handbook (49b) Martin, Gary. handle Softly And brook a Big Stick 1 . Mark Canada The Ready Reference Handbook (49b) http//www. uncp. edu/home/canada/ survive/markport/best/evaluate. htm (Janaury 2001) 2 . Chitoshi Yananga, Japan Since Perry (Achron Books Hamden, Connecticut, 1966), 439 3 . Hunt, Lynn, Thomas R. Martin, Barbara H. Rosenwein, R. Po-chia Hsia et al.. The Making of the West, Peoples and Cultures. Vol. C. 3rd ed.Boston Bedford/ St. Martins, 2009. 712-13. 4 . Chitoshi Yananga, Japan Since Perry (Achron Books Hamden, Connecticut, 1966), 334 5 . Chitoshi Yananga, Japan Since Perry (Achron Books Hamden, Connecticut, 1966), 333 6 . Martin, Gary. Speak Softly And Carry a Big Stick 8 . Chitoshi Yananga, Japan Since Perry (Achron Books Hamden, Connecticut, 1966), 429 9 . Chitoshi Yananga, Japan Since Perry (Achron Books Hamden, Connecticut, 1966), 437 10 . David Cody, The growth of the British Empire, Associate Professor of English, (Hartwick College Paragraph 4) 1988Theodore Roosevelts the Threat of JapanDocument Theodore RooseveltThe Threat of Japan, 1909 At Mt. Holyoke Introduction For my history assignment, I chose the document Theodore Roosevelts The Threat of Japan. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, modernization took place, bringing Japan to the height of power equivalent to a western power after defeating both China and Russia. United States was maintaining its policy of isolationism but was slowly transitioning to self interest imperialism, keeping control over countries with economic benefit such as open door policy with China.A summary of this article would be Roosevelts changing ideas of how US should change their foreign policy with regard to the dynamic change in the balance of world powers in 1909. My essay shall first examine the supporting points of the documents including the credibility of the source, reasons why Japan is a threat and immigration problems. Opposing points to mention would be that the document may be affect by the mentality of whites men supremacy. All things considered, I largely agree with the source and President Roosevelts analysis of Japan as a threat.Paragraph 1 Credibility of source The document is a primary source, written by Theodore Roosevelt himself at the point of time to Senator Knox, giving original evidence in light to our argument. I have two considerations with regard to the sources credibility, the credentials of the author and the timeliness of the events. Theodore Roosevelt as the 26th president of the United States, have he assumed positions at the city, state, and federal levels before elected as president and was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.As he has a reputation to uphold alongside his prestigious titles, there is less l ikeliness of him to be bias in his reports. The documented concerns give factual material in line with the events happening at that point of time. It is true that Japan has formidable military power and considered themselves to be on a full equality after their victory in the Russo-Japanese war in 1904-1905. There was also an immigration problem of Japanese flocking by the hundred thousand into the US and California legislature threatens to pass 17 anti-Japanese measures in 1909. As the ource is based on much concrete evidence as cross referenced with the timeline of events, I can claim that this document is credible to a large extent. Paragraph 2 Japan as a threat At the start of the 20th century, Japan came to be pictured as a political menace against United States, and her immigrants had been seen as a threat to American institution and economic security. Her victory in the Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War forced Roosevelt to see Japan as an equal. Meiji restoration where Japan combined Western advances with their own traditional values subsequently adopting modernization and military conscription.They view themselves as being encroached by foreigners under the unequal treaty system of the United States thus justifying Japans expansionistic intents. Examples would be Japan forcing its way through the Northeast China through the ownership of South Manchurian railway and formal control of Manchuria inherited from Russia. In the event of Portsmouth Treaty and the renewal of the Anglo-Japanese alliance in 1905, Japan used this chance to claim interest in Korea. Roosevelt acknowledged Japans military capabilities and is cautious when dealing with them.His famous Big Stick Diplomacy can be seen as he uses the concept of speaking softly, engaging in peaceful negotiation while having a big stick, a strong military. This is evident in the statement treat Japan courteously that she will not be offended more than necessary and constantly emphasizing the need o f keeping the Navy at the highest point of efficiency. Roosevelt stressed harshly upon the need that the Navy needs to be strong in order to firstly keep Japan at bay through deterrence theory and secondly able to win wars if the need ever arise to.This shows that Roosevelt took Japan as a menace very seriously, and has placed in effect, measures that prevent the threat from manifesting. Paragraph 3 Japans immigration problems Since the opening of Japan from its self imposed seclusion policy in 1854, scholars have studied aboard to acquire Western teachings. The immigration problem manifested once Japanese started immigrating to Hawaii, Canada and US motivated by economic gains and evasion of military services. In the year 1900 alone, 12000 Japanese entered United States and by 1910 the population trebled to a total of 72,517.Although this bought a solution to their demand of cheap labour, another set of problems arise in the form of economic, racial and anti-Japanese agitation. Ex amples included would be San Francisco School Board implemented segregation of education school between Japanese and American children, and California legislature passing offensive legislation aiming at Japanese. This background knowledge is coherent in identifying the social problems such as a race problem and contest is forecasted if nothing is done to keep them out.He understands that his people will not permit the Japanese to come in as citizens and will not tolerate their presences. US experienced widespread anti-Japanese sentiments and this is supported from evidence that Roosevelt received insults such as an unpatriotic President, who united with aliens to break down the civilization of his own countrymen by San Francisco Chronicle when he decided to back Japan up against segregation measures by other nations.However Roosevelts reasons was that he did not wish to create tension and friction between the relations of two countries and hope to continue with their peaceful diplo matic attempts to prevent any possibility of war. In essence, despite the anti-Japanese agitation of the people with their measures in place, Roosevelt found it hard to openly support them as he hopes to continue their mutual corresponding efforts in diplomacy and restrain from any form of conflict. Paragraph 4 White Mens SupremacyAn uncertainty would be that Roosevelt may be slightly bias due to the prevalent widespread ideology of White mens supremacy at that point of time. In the height of imperialism, the poem of The White Mans Burden by Rudyard Kipling bought about feelings of superiority and condescending view over the less developed countries mainly Asia. The Whites have the obligation to rule over the indigenous population through colonialization and civilizing mission to educate them. The relationship between US and Japan was marked with tensions with regard to economic and commercial interest over Asia.Roosevelt may view Japan in a negative light such as an aggressor becau se he felt that only US has a legitimate rule and control over China, unlike an inferior Asian country like Japan However in Roosevelts analysis, the rest of the US has a different impression of Japan. He claims that the moment everything is smooth and pleasant, there will be a clamor for a stoppage in the building up of the navy. It can be inferred from Roosevelt that US is easily conceited and once they are in their comfort zone, they will forgot how big a threat Japan possess. ConclusionIn context to what we have learnt so far, it is most relevant to our lecture 6 of Culture of High Imperialism Japan. Through the evaluation of this document, we have seen that Western power, US, have acknowledged the might of an Asian country, Japan. There have been a change in the balance of global power at that point of time and White Men Supremacy ideology was tested as Japan defeat Russia and China. United States President Roosevelt was forced to recognize the whole question of our dealings with the Orient is certain to grow in importance and there was a drastic change of perception of the social construct of the world.He highlighted Japan as a threat of interest and territory in Asia as well as creation of an immigrant problem of racial contest in Hawaii and parts of US. Roosevelt gave solutions such as Big Stick Diplomacy of building up the Navy and keeping it strong to deter Japan from attacking them. He stressed that Senator Knox should not lower his guard during moments of peace and overlook the job of keeping the Navy in its highest point of efficiency as well as controlling the emigration rate of Japanese into US.I have tested the sources credibility and found it to be largely reliable and largely agree that Japan was a threat to US in the early 1900s and Roosevelt was correct to identify them as one and implement solutions to counter their aggression. 1496 words Bibliography Chitoshi Yananga, Japan Since Perry (Achron Books Hamden, Connecticut, 1966) David Cody , The growth of the British Empire, Associate Professor of English, (Hartwick College Paragraph 4) 1988 Hunt, Lynn, Thomas R. Martin, Barbara H. Rosenwein, R. Po-chia Hsia et al.. The Making of the West, Peoples and Cultures.Vol. C. 3rd ed. Boston Bedford/ St. Martins, 2009. Mark Canada The Ready Reference Handbook (49b) Martin, Gary. Speak Softly And Carry a Big Stick 1 . Mark Canada The Ready Reference Handbook (49b) http//www. uncp. edu/home/canada/work/markport/best/evaluate. htm (Janaury 2001) 2 . Chitoshi Yananga, Japan Since Perry (Achron Books Hamden, Connecticut, 1966), 439 3 . Hunt, Lynn, Thomas R. Martin, Barbara H. Rosenwein, R. Po-chia Hsia et al.. The Making of the West, Peoples and Cultures. Vol. C. 3rd ed.Boston Bedford/ St. Martins, 2009. 712-13. 4 . Chitoshi Yananga, Japan Since Perry (Achron Books Hamden, Connecticut, 1966), 334 5 . Chitoshi Yananga, Japan Since Perry (Achron Books Hamden, Connecticut, 1966), 333 6 . Martin, Gary. Speak Softly And Carry a B ig Stick 8 . Chitoshi Yananga, Japan Since Perry (Achron Books Hamden, Connecticut, 1966), 429 9 . Chitoshi Yananga, Japan Since Perry (Achron Books Hamden, Connecticut, 1966), 437 10 . David Cody, The growth of the British Empire, Associate Professor of English, (Hartwick College Paragraph 4) 1988