Imperial ASIA Imperial China Empire of Japan

China and the Western Powers At this time: China resisted Western influence and became weaker. Japan transformed itself into a major industrial and military power. Difference can be explained by differences between Chinese and Japanese elites and their attitudes toward foreign cultures. In China a “self-strengthening movement” tried to bring about reforms. The government opposed railways and other technologies that would carry foreign influences into the interior. They were able to slow down foreign intrusion, but denied themselves the best means of defense against foreign pressure.

The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion What was the Boxer Rebellion? Nationalist movement (late 19th century) Boxer war (1900-1901) Contact with Western countries Boxers were also known as “Righteous fists of fury” Formed in the Shandong province Spiritual & ritualistic Img source: http://www.sacu.org/boxers.html

“Fear of Westernization” Inability to accept extensive foreign influence -Politically -Religiously -Economically Christianity: -Threatening -Western concept/ideology

What they stood for Wanted westerners and Christians out They were not permitted to kill non-foreigners Followed these rules: Do not covert wealth Do not lust after women Do not disobey your parents Do not violate Imperial laws Eradicate the foreigners Kill corrupt officials When you walk on the streets, keep your head lowered, looking neither left nor right When you meet a fellow member, greet him with hands clasped together

Boxer War: Confrontation b/w 'Eight Nation Alliance' (Russia, Japan, USA, Britain, Germany, France, Austria- Hungary, Italy) and the Boxers. 21st of June 1900 - The Qing government declared war on all Christians and allied foreigners The 'Siege of Peking'

Japan Joins the Great Powers 1865–1905

Japan and the Western Powers At this time, Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate and local lords had significant autonomy. This system made it hard for Japan to coordinate its response to outside threats. 1853 – American Commodore Matthew C. Perry arrived in Japan with a fleet of warships and demanded the Japanese open their ports to trade and American ships. Dissatisfaction with the shogunate's capitulation to American and European demands led to a civil war and the overthrow of the shogunate in 1868.

Commodore Matthew C. Perry

The Meiji Restoration The new rulers of Japan were known as the Meiji oligarchs. The Meiji oligarchs changed their institutions and society to help transform their country into a world-class industrial and military power. The Japanese learned industrial and military technology, science, engineering, and even clothing styles and pastimes from the West. The Japanese government encouraged industrialization and would fund it with tax revenue.

The Birth of Japanese Imperialism Industrialization in Japan was accompanied by the development of: Authoritarian constitutional monarchy Foreign policy that defined Japan’s “sphere of influence” to include Korea, Manchuria, and part of China. Japan defeated China in a war that began in 1894, leading to the Hundred Days Reform in 1898. Set the stage for Japanese competition with Russia for influence in the Chinese province of Manchuria. Japanese power was further demonstrated when Japan defeated Russia in 1905 and annexed Korea in 1910.