1. American Imperialism and it’s Consequences, Part III
Asia

2. China
The Dynastic Cycle

3. China
Nineteenth century- China is in the low point of the Dynastic Cycle- central control is weak
The West exploits this weakness- first Europe, then America force China into a series of unequal treaties that place China at a disadvantage in trade

4. China
The Opium Wars
England wished to reduce its trade imbalance with China through the exportation of the one commodity they had China wanted- Opium. When the Chinese government resisted, wars were fought to subdue the Chinese and force acceptance of the narcotics trade. These wars and the resulting devastation of widespread opium addiction left China deeply bitter towards the west.

5. China
Open Door Notes I
1899- Secretary of State John Hay addresses the European powers, asking them to allow the US to increase its role in the China trade. The European powers had divided china into “spheres of influence”, and the US wanted part of that action.
The European powers rejected this idea.

6. China

7. China The Boxer Rebellion-
A group in China known as the “Harmonious Fists” began to openly oppose the government in Their aim was to rid China of foreigners. When the European powers had trouble repelling the attacks, The US stepped in, and helped put down the rebellion.

8. China Open Door Notes II
After the Boxer Rebellion, the Chinese government and the European powers were indebted to the US for their help. In 1900, Hay issues more Open Door Notes- this time mandating the US will be the gatekeepers for all trade with China.

9. China
Bitterness towards foreigners and a desire to return strong home rule brought about a nationalist movement in China in the early 20th century. That movement would eventually take power with Sun Yat-Sen, a revolutionary nationalist, as leader, Through the 1920’s and 1930’s, a new revolutionary group- the Communists, would fight against Sun’s Kuomintang party.

10. China
In 1949, the communists would win, and take a decidedly anti-western, anti-US stance. The US would not have normal relations with China until the early 1970’s.

11. Japan
In 1854, the US forced Japan into the Treaty of Kanagawa through threat of military force from Admiral Perry’s fleet. The treaty mandated trade between Japan and the US.

12. Japan
Japan modeled the West in an attempt to keep the West from swallowing them up. This would begin a period of imperial expansion by Japan that would culminate in WWII.