notes 3: american imperialism in east asia modern us history unit 1-6 january 23, 2012

Notes 3: American Imperialism in East Asia Modern US History Unit 1-6 January 23, 2012

Industrialization led to an increase in demand for luxury goods in the United States and Europe. Merchants wanted to trade with East Asia for spices, perfumes, silks, and furniture.

In 1800, China was ruled by the Qing dynasty of the Manchus. This was a prosperous dynasty that rapidly declined due to a combination of internal problems and external pressures. By 1800, Europeans had been regularly trading with China for over 200 years, but they were restricted to a single port city at Guangzhou (Canton). China before Imperialism

Much of this trade was controlled by the British who wanted to expand beyond their singular port. China was a large, self-sufficient country and it traded mostly with itself. China saw itself as the Middle Kingdom the highest civilization in the world surrounded by barbarians. The Qing rulers favored an isolationist policy, though Christian missionaries were allowed into the kingdom. China before Imperialism

The English wanted luxury goods (silk, spices, and porcelain) and tea from China. It is estimated that the average London worker spent 5% of their household budget on tea. Since China was self-sufficient, England was importing more goods from China than China was importing from England. This was in opposition to the current economic theory of mercantilism at the time. England Solves their Trade Problems with China

mercantilism: an economic system of imperialist countries that had the imperialist country export more goods to their colonies than they imported from those colonies England Solves their Trade Problem with China

To change the trade balance to their favor, the English needed to find a good that they could provide that China did not have. They found this in their colony of India opium The English began exporting opium to China even though Chinese officials made it illegal. The English fostered their trade: they bribed officials, helped the Chinese work out elaborate smuggling schemes to get the opium into China's interior, and distributed free samples of the drug to innocent victims. England Solves their Trade Problem with China

The cost to China was enormous. The drug weakened a large percentage of the population (some estimate that 10 percent of the population regularly used opium by the late 1800s), and silver began to flow out of China to pay for the opium. England Solves their Trade Problem with China

China Fights Back + Carving Up the Melon Because opium addiction was severely injuring China, the Chinese government decided to take action. The Chinese government tried to confiscate foreign stores. The Confiscation of British opium under the new laws was too much for the English who decided to punish China for interfering with their trade.

China Fights Back + Carving Up the Melon This was the beginning of the first Opium War (1839-1842). The non-industrialized Chinese lost both the first and second Opium Wars.

After the two Opium wars, European countries began to exert a stronger influence over China. Treaties were signed that gave rights to the Europeans and removed Chinas rights to govern European activity in their country. This became known as the treaty system. Along with being forced to agree with strong European influence, pieces of China itself were also being carved away by European nations. China Fights Back + Carving Up the Melon

Foreign Spheres of Influence in China (1842- 1907)

By 1898, most of China had been partitioned into spheres of influence which were controlled by European powers. The United States realized that they had missed the boat since they did not control any piece of China. To protect American trade with China into the future, the United States suggested creating an Open Door Policy in China. This policy would leave China independent (European countries could not completely take over pieces of it) and it would allow all countries free trade with China. The Open Door Policy

The United States sent their policy out to the other nations that had influence in China. None of these nations agreed to sign it, but since none of the nations disagreed with the policy, the U.S. announced that the Open Door Policy was enacted The Open Door Policy

China tried to strengthen itself after this, but conservatives in the government put a stop to this. By 1911, China was very weak and could not withstand a revolt led by followers of Sun Yat-sen; the Qing dynasty collapsed. The Revolution of 1911 ended imperial rule in China. China is now ruled by a communist system, although aspects of capitalism have been introduced into the economy. The Open Door Policy

American Imperialism in Japan

Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate. This was a hierarchical system of government and society with four distinct classes the warriors, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Japan traded with the English and Dutch and allowed Christian missionaries during the 1500s. Japan before Imperialism

In 1639, the shogun (ruler of Japan under the emperor) isolated Japan from the outside world. Christianity, foreign trade, and the building of ocean traveling ships (long distance) were outlawed. A policy of strict isolationism took over as even foreign books were banned. Some of the reasons for this include a fear that the teachings of Christianity would cause the Japanese people to follow the leadership of the Pope or Jesus instead of the shogun also some Jesuits destroyed shrines which angered some Japanese. Only a tiny Dutch (Netherlands) settlement was allowed in the city of Nagasaki. Japan Before Imperialism

The closure of Japan to foreign traders was a challenge to the imperialists so Commodore Matthew Perry was sent to Japan in 1853 to try and establish trade between Japan and the United States. Matthew Perry sailed four ships into Edo Bay in July 1853 2 steam-powered sailing ships which were pulling 2 sloops. America Visits Japan

American Sketch of Perrys Fleet Perrys original group only contained four ships. What is this painting trying to show by exaggerating the number of boats?

American Ships surrounded by Japanese Ships Describe the difference between the American and Japanese ships.

Japanese Painting of an American Steamship What emotions did Perrys ships inspire in the Japanese who saw them?

Samurai Gathering In Case the Arrival of the Black Ships Means War

On this trip Perry delivered a letter from the president of the United States, Millard Fillmore, and left shortly thereafter. Perry returned in March 1854 with 9 ships to receive the Japanese response. On this trip, Perry and his crew stayed longer in Japan and exchanged gifts with important noblemen. The high point of these activities was a treaty signed on March 31, 1854 in Kanagawa which met all of the U.S. governments requests. America Visits Japan

American Painting of American Gifts Being Given to the Japanese What gifts do you see being given to the Japanese? Why?

The Treaty of Kanagawa guaranteed good treatment of castaways opened two Japanese ports for provisions and refuge, and laid the groundwork for Japans reluctant acceptance of an American consulwhich broke down the remaining barriers to Japans incorporation in the global political economy. In 1858, U.S. consul to Japan, Townsend Harris, signed the Harris treaty that called for the opening of several new ports for US trade and residence along with an exchange of ministers. After Japan had agreed to this with the Americans, European countries soon came to sign similar treaties as well. America Visits Japan

After being opened by America, Japan decided to quickly modernize themselves this process was known as the Meiji restoration. Japan had seen what Europeans had done to China and wanted to keep that from happening in Japan. America Visits Japan

Therefore Japan began to change their system of government, import technological ideas such as the railroad and telegraph, and strengthen and modernize their defense system. This process led Japan to become a world power in a short amount of time. By 1894, they had defeated China in the first Sino- Japanese War over Korea. Japans increasing desire for world power would lead to conflict in the 20th century. America Visits Japan

American Imperialism

notes 3: american imperialism in east asia modern us history unit 1-6 january 23, 2012

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