Imperialism: Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, China and Japan By: Rachel Han, Patrick Kim, Sangwoo Song, and Lisa Kim

What is Imperialism?  the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies. (  (our definition) Imperialism is a government system that a country takes over another country as a colony.

Pacific Asia vs. United States

4 The Pacific Islands  America and many European nations invaded the many nations in the Pacific islands for economic reasons.  America invaded the Philippines. They fought a war, and won, but, then, they made it so that they built hospitals and schools for the nation, so that they remain on good terms.  Because of America’s influence on Philippines, Philippines became economically strong. 4

Hawaii  Americans took interests in Hawaii since 1790s.  Hawaii became famous for Sugar production and changed its economy.  The McKinley Tariff Act eliminated the tariffs on all sugar entering the U.S.  A new Hawaiian ruler, Queen Lilioukalani took over the throne and she made a new constitution that would increase her power and restore the political power of Hawaiians at the expense of wealthy planters. But was removed from power.  In 1898, Hawaii was finally annexed by the U.S.

China vs. British

Europe’s Story: What was going on in Britain  Problem for Britain was that their trade with China was unbalanced, or rather, unfair for Britain; Britain bought a lot of Chinese products, like silk, tea, and porcelain, while China only bought a little cotton.  Britain came up with an idea: Smuggle opium into China.  Opium Smuggling was successful; Britain was able to smuggle 8 million pounds of opium into China.  By 1835, as many as 12 million Chinese people were addicted to the drug.

What was going on in China in the 19 th Century?  China was known for its trading route, Silk Road, and many countries, especially Britain, wanted to take control over China.  Problem for Britain was that while they trade with China, China felt they don’t need foreign products and stopped trading for Britain’s products but sold Chinese products, like silk, tea, porcelain, etc.  Britain came up with an idea: Sell opium.

China’s Self-Sufficiency  China was very wealthy under the rule of Qing’s dynasty.  They had rice, mining and manufacturing industries, salt, tin, silver, iron, silks, cottons and porcelain.  Because of these various products, Chinese were very independent and had little interest in trading with the West.  They only allowed one port, Guangzhou, to trade with the foreigners.

The Opium War  Opium - an addictive narcotic extracted from seed capsules of the opium poppy  Opium was used as medical use in China, and because of the knowledge of its danger, Chinese govt. banned the use of opium.  However, opium is very addictive, and later there were a great demand on more opium.  By 1835, as many as 12 million Chinese people were addicted to the drug.  The War itself took place mostly at sea.  But China’s ships were no match for British steam-powered ships and was defeated.  The result was that on 1842, they signed a peace treaty.

Opium War: Movie 

Great Britain and Europe  Because Chinese had little interest in trading with the West, Europeans were very determined to discover a product that Chinese will buy efficiently.  The result was opium.  Opium is very addictive and soon, most Chinese people were addictive to opium.

Japan vs. United States

America’s Story:Japan’s Isolation  In the early 17 th century, Japan isolated themselves from the outside contacts.  In the early 19 th century, the Europeans suggested that Japanese end their isolation and start a trade. However, Japanese refused to open up.  Finally, when Matthew Perry, an U.S. Commodore, appeared in the Tokyo Harbor with four ships with cannons, rifles and steam coming out of the ship (they scared the Japanese!)  Perry was accepted to meet the shogun and came back to U.S. with a peace treaty.

Japan’s Isolation  In the early 17 th century, Japan isolated themselves from the outside contacts.  But they continued to trade with Korea, China and Dutch.  In the early 19 th century, the Europeans talked to the Japanese to end their isolation and trade. However, Japanese refused to open up, like China.

Matthew Perry: The End of Japan’s Isolation  In 1853, Matthew Perry, an U.S. Commodore, appeared in the Tokyo Harbor with four ships which scared the shogun because of the cannons, rifles and steam coming out of the ship.  Perry was accepted to meet the shogun and came back to U.S. with a peace treaty.  He was the hero who ended Japan’s Isolation

The Treaty of Kanagawa  Japanese were forced to sign the Treaty of Kanagawa, a peace treaty.  Treaty of Kanagawa was a peace treaty signed in 1854 by the Japanese and U.S.  As a result, the isolation ended and 2 ports were opened up for trade.  Also, U.S. set up embassy and soon, other western countries came to Japan to trade.

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