IB History Higher Level (HL) Practice Exam

The Twenty-One Demands were a set of demands delivered by Japan to China in 1915, which sought to extend Japanese control over significant strategic territories and enhance Japan's influence over Chinese sovereignty. Japan aimed to exploit China's vulnerabilities during World War I when China was preoccupied with its own internal issues and was looking for foreign support.

The demands included provisions that would grant Japan control over various regions of China, such as Shandong Province, and involve concessions that would allow Japan to exert political and economic control over Chinese affairs. This was a pivotal moment that contributed to tensions between Japan and China and ultimately influenced nationalist sentiments within China against foreign imperialism.

Understanding this context is crucial for appreciating the historical significance of the Twenty-One Demands, which aimed at consolidating Japanese dominance rather than proposing disarmament, economic independence, or military alliances with China.