What were twenty one demands?

The Twenty-One Demands was a set of proposals made by the Empire of Japan to the Republic of China in 1915, during World War I. The demands were wide-ranging and sought to establish Japanese control over much of China, including the cession of territory, the establishment of Japanese military and economic concessions, and the appointment of Japanese advisers to the Chinese government. The demands were met with outrage by the Chinese public, and the Chinese government refused to accept them. The Twenty-One Demands are considered to be one of the most important events leading up to the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945).

The Twenty-One Demands can be summarized as follows:

1. Group I: These demands sought to establish Japanese control over Shandong province, which had been ceded to Germany by China in 1898. The demands included the transfer of German rights in Shandong to Japan, the opening of new ports to Japanese trade, and the construction of a railway from Qingdao to Jinan.

2. Group II: These demands sought to extend Japanese influence in southern Manchuria and Inner Mongolia. The demands included the extension of Japanese railway rights in Manchuria, the opening of new mines and forests to Japanese exploitation, and the establishment of Japanese settlements in Inner Mongolia.

3. Group III: These demands sought to give Japan a dominant position in Chinese politics and economy. The demands included the appointment of Japanese advisers to the Chinese government, the control of Chinese finances by Japan, and the establishment of a Japanese-Chinese joint police force.

4. Group IV: These demands sought to grant Japan special privileges in China, such as the right to establish schools and hospitals, the right to propagate Japanese culture, and the right to own land in China.

5. Group V: These demands sought to give Japan control over Outer Mongolia, which was at that time a part of China.

The Twenty-One Demands were rejected by the Chinese government on May 7, 1915. The Japanese government then issued an ultimatum giving China 48 hours to accept the demands. The Chinese government again refused, and the Japanese government declared war on China on August 14, 1915. The Twenty-One Demands are considered to be one of the most important events leading up to the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945).