The European Imperialists And Japan

By industrializing, Russia was able to extend its influence in eastern Asia and seizing new territories in northern China. Japan reformed after seeing China’s foreign power so they kicked out all foreigners and built its own military. In Japan, an American commodore, Matthew Perry threatened to bomb Japan in 1853, unless Japan allowed access to trade for the Americans which created military superiority of the West. Therefore, Perry won the right to have the Americans to trade which allowed two ports to open with other European countries of Britain, Holland and Russia. In Japan, they had many signs of improvement with the Western influence of new banks to fund trade and private investment capital, railways and steam vessels improved national communication and helped with trade since Japan lacked many resources.

During the 19th century, China transformed from a prosperous economic center to a weakened country in a system controlled by Great Britain, largely due to the opium trade. Prior to Europe’s industrial revolution in 1800, China had little need for products from other countries, and participated sparingly in world trade, while Europe borrowed China’s ideas and inventions to gain a financial foothold. But in the 19th century Britain introduced opium into the Chinese market, setting off a chain of events that lead to the Opium Wars, which along with the opium trade sapped China’s economic strength. Nevertheless, she persisted, and in 1907 China passed a law that blocked the opium trade once and for all and took out Britain’s system of power within

On August 1, 1894 Emperor Meiji of Japan issued an Imperial Rescript declaring war on China which marked the beginning of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895. The idea of a low-ranked nation like Japan, challenging the much more respected power China, seemed unimaginable, much less for them to win the war. Shockingly, Japan was victorious from this war and proved to be a world power that should be feared through their tactics of imperialism and modern intelligence. Their overload of numbers and strategies overwhelmed Chinese officials to the point where they could not compete. The defeat of Qing China at the hands of Japan highlighted the weakness of the Chinese military and government while also accelerating the decline of the Qing dynasty.

China also got imperialism by the British. The British were losing money because they were highly dependent upon imported tea from China, but China did not find anything valuable that British offered for trade. So Britain imported Opium. Chinese attempted to ban the importation of the highly addictive opium but ended up failing. The British declared war on China which is called Opium war.

The Japanese pursuit for an empire in South East Asia helped changed the balance of world power away from Europe, by taking their most lucrative colonies. Soon after the Japanese defeat in World War II, most of the colonies won their independence from their European masters. This essay will be arguing that despite the vast geographical distance and cultural, racial differences, as well as the different time periods involved, Japanese and European intentions were very similar, and that these similarities contributed to the weakening of Imperialism as a doctrine. To do so, this essay will be examining the reasons for the Japanese

Finally, deeply rooted tensions between Britain and China began to come to the surface as the Chinese attempted to crack down on opium use and trade within its borders.

Because Perry arrived with navy ships and gifts, trying to persuade and scare the Japanese, Japan reluctantly agreed (“The United States and the Opening to Japan, 1853”). A “most-favored-nation” clause was also included in the treaty, which meant the United States could get any powers given to another country by Japan (“The United States and the Opening to Japan, 1853”). This clause would ultimately give America easier access to contact and trade with Japan, even though the original purpose of the treaty was not about economics. This shows the United States’ true motives to gain more economically. Naturally, the United States would have to engage in more of a foreign outlook, changing their foreign policy and diplomacy to get the economic gains fueled by their greed.

Each strove to maintain a centralized government. For Japan the leader was to be called an emperor or empress who could only be a part of the royal family if they were related to the Shinto sun goddess. As for Europe, the leader was to be called a king or a queen. Like Japan, not just anybody could become royalty. Kings and queens came from a long descent of an Imperial family. Tradition was that the first born son of the king would become the next ruler following the kings death. However, if no legitimate son were born then the daughter would become queen. In Europe, the royal family and institution was usually

The age of imperialism was an important part of history, it was during the 19th and 20th centuries. During this time period, European countries were taking over great sections of the world. It wouldn't be long before they started to take over Asia. Some countries such as, India and China, went under European control and influence. While Japan adopted reforms to meet the western challenge. How was it possible that Japan was able to be strong while India and China couldn't?

While westerners in China pushed to claim rights and generally oppose Chinese reformers who worked to better China, Chinese government and society faced internal problems. Being a main target for imperialism, China faced much western influence. One of the events that marked the beginning of intense western influence was the case concerning the Opium Wars. A main imperialistic power, Great Britain, began trading China opium, a heavily addictive drug, in exchange for tea and silk. At first, it seemed like a positive idea – the Chinese

During the 18th century, the British began trading opium to the Chinese. They had finally found a commodity the Chinese were willing to buy. Opium was an illicit drug with addictive properties. As demand on opium increased, the British traders made huge profits and the trade imbalance was reversed. There was now a steady flow of silver leaving China. In 1796, the Ch’ing government banned the importation of opium. This did not stop the British, who continued the trade illegally. As well, extensive corruption amongst Chinese officials allowed the opium trade to flourish.

From 1639, Japan kept control on emigration of its people to Europe and to its colonies. But soon after the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry in 1853, trade of gunships started between the United States and Japan (USA.gov). This exposed Japanese to another culture, which had an impact on their life. This resulted in a great change of social life in Japan because life in America represented a model way and motivated Japanese to migrate there.

Western Influence on Japan Japan, as a nation, is a continually changing society. Ever since western nations became involved with Japan, its changes over recent times have increased at a substantial rate. Japan now faces cultural, economical and social differences as a result of the western involvement. The involvement was initiated by the Japanese themselves, beginning during the Meiji Period1 through current times.

Political, social, and economic aspects influenced the rise of the Empire of Japan, and their effects created the ways in which Japan interacted with its people and the world around it. Politically, the Meiji Restoration of the mid-1800s to the early 1900s set the stage for the growth that took place to make Japan an Empire, including the transformation of the views on the emperor. These views on the emperor helped to create a social change: the anger of the Japanese government and people about the lack of representation for Japan in world treaties and in the League of Nations. This caused extreme patriotism. Japan was economically changed by the advancements into China after Japan’s Great Depression. This military advancement opened the door for much more and was based on the Japanese’s intense nationalistic views.

On July 8, 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry entered Japanese waters, demanding the opening of trade in Japan. Unable to take on the United States navy, the Tokugawa Bakufu was forced to sign the Treaty of Kanagawa. Signed on February, 1845, the treaty was a humiliating blow to Japan and the Bakufu. Under the treaty, Japan was forced to open five new ports as well as grant extraterritoriality (i.e. U.S. citizens living in the new ports were exempt from Japanese jurisdiction). Despite efforts to limit foreign trade, the newly opened ports soon came to control Japan’s economy. Although the Bakufu received revenue from trading monopolies, Japan quickly plummeted into