Imperialism in Asia

China and Japan

Kieta says:

“The Japanese willow bent with the winds of western imperialism and survived; the Chinese oak stood fast against the winds from the west and fell.”

“Isms” of China

Buddhism, pg. 614-615

Confucianism, , pg 624-625, Chart 626Taoism, Lao-tzu philosophy which

emphasizes roles in society and honor.

China’s Response to Pressure from the West

The Opium Wars 1839-1842(Map exercise)

CAUSE Britain refused to stop their very profitable trade in opium with China.

EFFECT: Treaty of Nanking (Nanjing)Chinese are humiliated and defeatedBritish get the port of Hong KongOpium trade continuesExtraterritorial rights for foreign citizensGrowing Chinese resentment against the foreign

“barbarians”

Extraterritorial Rights

Foreigners are exempt from legal jurisdiction of a countryBritish were free from following the laws of

China within their spheres of influence.

Taiping Rebellion 1850-1864

CAUSESHunger & starvation among the Chinese because of

China’s inability to feed its growing populationIncreasing opium addictionGrowing povertyChristian missionaries’ message of a “Heavenly

Kingdom of Peace” inspires Hong Xiuquan to lead a 14 year rebellion against the corrupt Qing Dynasty

Taiping Rebellion (cont.)

EFFECTSCombined Br., Fr, & Qing forces crush the

peasant rebellion and the Qing dynasty is restored to power

Fertile farmland is destroyed by the hungry armies

At least 20 million (some estimate 40 million) die.

Self-strengthening Movement: 1860s

CAUSES Conservative Chinese cling to

traditional ways and resist change starting at the top, but Dowager Empress Cixi sees the need to reform and modernizes education, diplomatic services and the military.

Self-strengthening Movement

EFFECTS Produced warships & ammunitionsBoosted Chinese moraleCreated large military arsenals run by

foreigners that led to a trade imbalance and a lack of quality control because foreigners did not like working with Chinese resources.

Open Door Policy 1899

CAUSESChina has a weak military, as well as

economic and political problems.China is being divided up into more Western

spheres of influence.U.S. fears that China would be divided into

formal colonies and American traders would be shut out.

Open Door Policy 1899

EFFECTSThis policy would protect American trading

rights in China.Keep China free from colonizationBut China was still at the mercy of economic

imperialism by foreign powers.

1900 Boxer Rebellion

CAUSES The young Emperor’s 100 Days of Reform fails

when the Dowager Empress Cixi arrests him & executes his leaders.

The Chinese people’s long standing frustration with poor conditions & the gov’t failure to reform increases.

The Chinese are angered by the special privileges given to foreigners

They resent Chinese Christians.

Boxer Rebellion (cont.)

EFFECTSIn spring , “Society of Harmonious Fists”

aka Boxers surround the European section. In August they are defeated by 20,000

multinational forces.A new sense of Chinese nationalism

emerges.Qing’s court begins steps to reform-

promises a full constitutional gov’t by 1917.

Why was China able to isolate itself from Western influence until the 19th century?

Discuss possible answers with a partner.

Japan Modernizes

“If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”

“Isms” of Japan

Shintoism-oldest “ism”, but established as the state religion during the Meiji Restoration in 1868.

Mahayana Buddhism (The Wide Way),pg. 614

Confucianism, with its impact on moral conduct & social order.

Shintoism’s Basic Beliefs

The Creation Myth-the 3 “kami” (spirits)Worship of the “kami”: 1) the clan

ancestors, 2)the power of nature or humanity, 3)souls of dead leaders

Not a system of ethics or morals, places emphasis on ritual & ceremony to express the joyful acceptance of nature.

Shintoism (cont.)

The Four AffirmationsTradition & Family is emphasized because

traditions is passed from generation to generation.

Love of Nature-because every object in nature is sacred since it embodies a spirit and a connection with the Gods.

Physical cleanliness is an act of purification.Matsuri-festivals held in honor of the spirits.

1853 American Perry arrives

American motive was to shock and frighten the Japanese into accepting trade with the United States—but Perry did come bearing gifts and with respect.

Perry willing to come back in a year for their answer.

1854 The Treaty of Kanagawa

The U.S. gained the right to set up an embassy and to trade at two Japanese ports.

By 1860 Japan had given many foreigners permission to trade at treaty ports and granted extraterritorial rights.

1867 Meiji dynasty establishes a new gov’t

Emperor Mutsuhito ends the Tokugawa shogunate military dictatorship and establishes a new gov’t.Adapts aspects of foreign culture that they admire,

such as American education system and Germany’s centralized gov’t & military discipline

Followed the Western path to industrialization & developed modern industry(shipbuilding, weapons, banking) by utilizing the prestige of the Samurai families (Mitsubishi)

1885 Japan & China pledge not to send armies to Korea

Both countries were interest in Korea as a trading partner and as a military outpost to protect their own security

1894 Sino-Japanese War

Rebellion broke out against Korea’s king who then asked Chinese gov’t. for military help.

Chinese troops march into Korea.Japan protested Chinese violation of

their mutual agreement of non-agression and then sends Japanese troops to fight the Chinese.

Sino Japanese War (cont.)

The war led to the following consequences:The destruction of the Chinese navy.The beginning of Japanese empire

expansion.A change in the world’s balance of powerEmergence of Russia & Japan as major

powers –and enemies- in East Asia

1904 Russo-Japanese War

CAUSE:Russia refuses to stay out of Korea because

Russia stills a warm water port for trade.Japan launches a surprise attack on the

Russian navy anchored off the coast of Manchuria. Look at the map on pg. 374

Russo-Japanese War (cont.)

ConsequencesRussian navy is defeated by Japan and

destroyed.Japan occupies Korea and Manchuria then

change its name to Manchukuo.Russia is forced to withdraw from

Manchuria & Korea (oops, still no warm water port)

1910 Japan annexes Korea

Japanese rule of Korea is harsh, one of the most brutal in history.

They establish a repressive gov’t that denies rights to Koreans but modernizes the country.

Inspires a Korean nationalist movement.

And now…

“The Japanese willow bent with the winds of western imperialism and survived; the Chinese oak stood fast against the winds

from the west and fell.”

Why was Japan like a willow tree?

Discuss with your partner.

Then answer part B

Why was the Meiji era in Japan viewed as a period of “enlightenment rule?”