The Demands of 1915 focused on increasing Japanese control over some Chinese territory, financial dealings that included revenue from railways to leases, mining and steel manufacturing operations in China, and placing Japanese officials in China’s government. Chinese officials accepted most demands, except for changing the nature of their parliament. Still, the reactions of the Chinese people to Japan’s 21 Demands weakened the sovereignty of China and increased Chinese nationalism. This put the two countries on a terrible collision course in the run up to World War Two, when Japanese expansionism was given free reign, fueling Chinese resentment that still exists today.
A map showing the expansion of imperialist Japan during World War One Source: Britannica
On this day in 1915, Japan issued its 21 Demands, all directed at China. They offer clear echoes to today's demands made by Russia, China, and the U.S. toward Ukraine, Taiwan, and Greenland, respectively.
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