World History II China and Japan Lecture Notes: Unit 3 Lesson 3 Standard WHII.5c

To Do: Vocabulary Interpretation Question of the Day Notes Multiple Choice Question Analysis Activity – The Last Samurai

Vocabulary Occident Orient Proselytize Westernization

Interpretation

Questions: How did the Chinese and Japanese attempt to limit the influence of European merchants? Why could one call the British the biggest drug dealers in history?

The British Empire

China During the 18th century merchants from Western Europe came to China in increasing numbers.  However, the Chinese government had only allowed European merchants to trade in certain areas.

A Problem Arises (for Europeans) Europeans want Chinese goods (tea, porcelain, silk, etc.)

The Real British Problem: The Chinese want little to do with European goods and will trade for nothing but silver and gold.  Bad for European mercantilism (hold onto as much gold and silver as you can).

The British Solution Europeans need a trade-good that the Chinese want…opium… They seek to establish a free-trade (no tariffs) relationship

Opium As tobacco from the Americas becomes popular in Britain a new drug is found and smoked in India.

Results of Opium Trade

The Chinese Govt. Reacts: Chinese government at first attempts to tax opium imports  The British begin to smuggle it in from India in mass quantities. The Chinese government bans the drug outright in  Seeks to retain control of its national trade

Show Movie England Wins the Opium Wars

The Opium Wars (1839 – 1842 then 1856 – 1860) China’s outdated navy is defeated by Britain’s modern battleships.  Europeans have had much more practice killing people at sea Results of the two wars:  Hong Kong was given to the United Kingdom  More ports were opened only to British trade and residence.  British allowed to sell opium  European Christians allowed to Proselytize in China

Shifting Gears WE’RE TALKING ABOUT JAPAN NOW

Japan Feudal society like Medieval Europe  Emperor  Shogun  Daimyo  Samurai  Peasant Anti-western like China

Japanese Close Ports to Foreign Traders (Reaction to what has happened to China) In 1852, United States Commodore Matthew Perry visits Japan and “asks” for a trade treaty Japanese govt. tells Perry that foreigners are only allowed in certain ports Perry threatens force if he is denied at any port. Perry returns the next year with a fleet twice the size of the one he brought the year before The Japanese sign a trade treaty with the United States.

Questions: How did the Chinese and Japanese attempt to limit the influence of European merchants? Why could one call the British the biggest drug dealers in history?

Multiple Choice Question Analysis

Watch Movie The Last Samurai