CHINA AND JAPAN MODERNIZE

China and the West During the 1800s, China declined as western

powers used diplomacy and war to gain power in East Asia China worked to keep a balance of trade Strict limits on foreign trade Prior to the 1800s, China enjoyed a trade surplus,

the West a trade deficit By the late 1700s, China declined and the West

rose through the Industrial Revolution, which provided for new markets and superior military technology

Interest in China British traded Indian opium for Chinese tea;

Chinese became addicted to opium and lost silver in payment for the drug

Chinese govt outlawed opium and executed drug dealers; British refused to stop trade, wanting free trade

China complained to Britain’s Queen Victoria Asked her to stop the trade, Britain refused

insisting on the right of free trade

Opium War (1839-1842) Fought to block the drug from being smuggled

into China 1839 Chinese warships clashed w/ British

merchants; in return British attacked and easily won The Treaty of Nanking (Nanjing) granted Britain 4

more ports + Hong Kong until 1997 Granted extraterritorial rights: British law, not

Chinese in those ports China was forced to sign a number of other

treaties with other countries Spheres of influence: where foreigners could do

what they wanted

Chinese Modernization Numerous domestic issues plagued China Taiping Rebellion – peasants successfully revolted for 14 years,

but eventually govt gained control; in the end 20-30 million died

Western spheres of influence – the West carved up China coastline; Americans & Open Door Policy

Boxer Rebellion: anti-foreign uprising; Chinese crushed and were forced w/ more western reforms and demands

Reforms Self strengthening movement – adopted western technology,

philosophies, etc; gained minimal progress 1894 war with Japan – lost Taiwan Hundred Days of Reform

Early 1900s – constitutional monarchy led to republic in 1911

Japan During the late 1800s Japan opens their doors

to foreign influence and became a modern industrial power

mid-1800s, Japan was split on whether or not to open its doors, in the end, isolation ended & transformation begun

Events leading to modernization: Govt tried to revive “old” traditional ways Americans forced Japan to open its doors to trade Japanese criticized shogun (hereditary military

governors) for not taking a tough stand against the foreigners; social/economic unrest increased

Meiji Restoration (1868-1912)

Growing discontent led to the overthrow of the shogun and reinstatement of the emperor to power

Reformers wanted to replace feudalism w/ new political and social systems and a modern industrial economy

Adopted German model of govt, all were equal under law, established a western-style bureaucracy, used western technology to strengthen military

Built western forms of business and factory systems

Ended legal distinctions between classes, set up schools/universities, hired westerners to teach modern technology

Imperial Family

Modernization Leads to Imperialism

Japanese modernization was relatively quick due to common language and culture, economic growth, learned from other’s experiences (China), and were determined to resist foreign rule

Japan began imperialist ideals due to economic needs Sino-Japanese War 1894 – Japan defeated China

to gain ports and island of Taiwan Russo-Japanese War 1905 – Japan defeated

Russia gaining control over Korea and rights in Manchuria (natural resources)

Japan annexed Korea in 1910 until 1945

Soldiers on the Battlefield

During the Sino-Japanese War

The Russo-Japanese War:1904-1905

Overall Reasons for Asian Imperialism

In their relentless race for raw materials, new markets, and Christian converts, western industrial powers gobbled up Southeast Asia.

By the 1890s, Westerners controlled most of Southeast Asia. They: introduced modern technology expanded commerce and industry set up new enterprises to mine tin and harvest rubber brought in new crops of corn and cassava built harbors and railroads These changes benefited Westerners far more than the people of Southeast Asia.

European Imperialism in Asia