China and Japan Traditional Societies confront Imperialism and Modernization,

China and Japan

Both confront European Imperialism in stages between 1600 and 1900 Because Europe becomes industrialized and more powerful, the imperial challenge increases in power and degree over time In the end, China is prostrated before European colonialists Japan becomes like the European Colonialists, both an industrial and an imperial power in its own right

Why the difference? Chinese culture and government was old and had a long legacy of superior achievements—too self confident China’s size masked its relative failure to modernize technologically, intellectually, socially, and governmentally. Japan historically was a borrower Japan benefited from a decision to close its borders in the 17 th century and the European powers, especially Britain, chose to focus on exploiting China.

China, Ruled by Manchu or Qing (Ch’ing) dynasty Bureaucracy ruled for emperor—chosen by Confucian exam (encouraged memorization over innovation) Chien-Lung emperor ( ) had limited contact with Europeans and had no capacity to understand the power of early industrialization Habit of seeing himself as the most powerful ruler of the “Middle Kingdom” is evident in Letter to England’s King George III Chien-Lung has his scholars focus on history and philosophy; China in grip of rigid social conservatism.

China Exploited ( ) British ship opium to china—30,000 cases in 1830 Chinese officials seize and destroy opium Britain fights two Opium Wars with China and wins easily 10 Chinese ports thrown open to western traders, who bypass co-hong. Western powers gain right of extraterritoriality Christian missionaries allowed into China

China’s Responses Taiping Rebellion led by Hung Hsiu-chuan, who saw himself as younger brother of Jesus million Chinese killed Tung-chih restoration under ti-yung concept fails to develop China Chinese government under dowager empress ignores internal and external threats Boxer Rebellion, led by young nationalists, is crushed by Western Powers.

Open Door Policy Great Power’s plan to carve up China Seeing itself excluded from the pie, U. S. secretary of State John Hay proposes open- door policy. Chine carved into primary trading areas but keeps its territorial integrity

John Hay and a Boxer

The Japanese Alternative Tokugawa shogunate, rightly associating western contact with instability, closes Japan to western powers by Increasing western pressure—shipwrecked whalers for example—compel some contact 1853—Matthew Perry’s voyage (U. S.) demonstrates western power—Japan opens up relations with U. S. British fleet destroys Japanese fleet in 1864

The Meiji Restoration Japan topples the old shogunate in 1867, ending formal feudalism Japan copies a new constitution based upon the Imperial German Constitution Models army on French and German Copies British naval construction and tactics Foreign expertise utilized but Japanese kept tight control over political and social power.

Meiji State and Society Japanese government appeared liberal— constitution and parliament In reality, conservative elite controlled the cabinet and the parliament Universal military service used to teach obedience and loyalty Shintoism taught that Emperor and elite’s position was consistent with the laws of nature

Japanese Imperialism Defeated China in Sino-Japanese war in , winning control of Korea and acquiring some dominance in Manchuria Defeated Russia in Russo-Japanese war in Won greater control of Manchuria and gained possession of Liaotung Peninsula As early as 1902, began to develop concept of Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere When successful participation in WWI didn’t result in further imperial gains, Japanese began to look to unilateral military and diplomatic avenues to get Asian Empire

Admiral Togo and Imperial Navy Staff

Battleship Azuma