March 1
1919 Beginning of the March First or Samil Independence movement, an uprising in Korea against Japanese colonial rule. Korean students in Japan had demonstrated against the Japanese occupation of Korea and in Seoul a small group of 33 issued a "Proclamation of Independence." Christian and nationalist groups led protests against the Japanese. Initially, Japanese forces sought to suppress the movement and thousands were arrested or killed. Eventually, however, Japanese officials responded by loosening its rein on Korea for most of the 1920s, a decade now noted for its significant economic, social, and intellectual developments.
1938 USSR loaned US$50 million to China for its war with Japan.
The Teaching about Japan website is edited by Clayton Dube.
He welcomes your comments and suggestions.
© 2001 UCLA Center for East Asian Studies