Topic 17:
Asia in the age of European expansion
(From the Opium War to 1911)
Objectives
Knowledge
1. To know how China and Japan responded to Western challenges
2. To understand the similarities and differences between the reforms in
China and in Japan (Causes, Content, Results)
3. To have an overview of the Powers’ expansion in China
Skills
1. To compare the similarities of and differences between historical events
2. To use charts to master complicated historical events
3. To make reasonable inference based on historical facts
Attitude
1. To evaluate Sino-Japanese relationship from an objective perspective
2. To reflect on the importance of modernization on the development of
modern China
Teaching Flow
Items
Format
Teaching Objectives
Content
To arouse students’ learning
motives
How did China and Japan
respond differently to
Western challenges?
Concrete content of the
Tribute System
Data-based
questions
To help students understand
implications of the “Tribute
System”
To help students understand
China’s relation with its
tributary states
To help students understand
the responses of China and
Japan when facing external
challenges
To evaluate student’s ability
to compare the similarities
and differences of the
reforms of China and of
Japan
To let students understand
the reasons for reforms in
China since the mid 19th
century
To let students explore the
implications of
westernisation
To enable students to
understand the concept of
westernisation in China and
Japan
To enable students to
understand the powers’
expansion in China
10 Extended
activity
Short questions
To train students skills in
comparing historical events
Invasion of the powers in
China and its bordering
tributary states
Compare the reforms of
China and Japan in late 19th
and early 20th centuries
11 Conclusion
Summary chart
To consolidate what students
have learnt in this topic
Summary of this topic
1
Question to
ponder
Question
2
To know
more (1)
Introduction
3
Task 1
Map
4
Task 2
Data-based
questions
5
Task 3
Data-based
questions
6
To know
more (2)
Supplementary
information
7
Task 4
Mind map
8
Task 5
Data-based
questions
9
Task 6
China’s view of itself as the
heavenly Central Kingdom
The two Opium Wars and the
opening of Japan and
overthrow of the Shogunate
Major reforms in China and
Japan
Background to the major
reforms in China since the
mid 19th century
Basic content of
westernisation
Views of Fukuzawa Yukichi
and Liang Qichao
1
Question to ponder
How did China and Japan respond
differently to Western challenges?
To know more (1)
What is Tributary System?
Prior to the advent of Western powers into Asia, China’s neighbouring
countries were China’s tributary states. They sent regular missions to China to
pay tribute. In the Qing dynasty, Annam (Vietnam) and Siam (Thailand), Korea
and Ryukyu were tributary states of China. (In the Ming dynasty, Japan also
accepted China’s conferment and paid tributes to China.) At that time, China
was an imperial overlord
Task 1: The Qing Empire under the Tributary System
2
Study Source A, and then answer the question below.
Source A
The map below shows China and its neighbouring regions in the 19th century.
Topic 17:
Asia in the age of European expansion (From the Opium War to 1911)
Why was the Qing Empire able to make its neighbouring countries to become its tributary
states? Explain your answer with reference to Source A and using your own knowledge.
Suggested answer: Source A shows that China had a vast territory, and was a
self-sufficient nation with itself as its centre. Its neighbouring countries
were small, and were reliant on China’s protection economically and
militarily. As a result, as a gesture of good will, the small neighbouring
states made tributes to China, resulting in China’s sense of superiority.
Task 2: Challenges and Responses
Study Sources B and C, and then answer the question below.
Source B
The Source below describes Sino-British relations in the mid 19th century
th
The
Source
describes
Sino-British
in the mid-19
century.
China
andbelow
Britain
came into
conflict asrelationship
a result of problems
in trade.
War between
the two countries ensued when the Qing dynasty banned the opium trade. China
was defeated and signed the Treaty of Nanjing with Britain, under which Hong
Kong Island was ceded to Britain. The treaty marked the beginning of unequal
treaties between the Qing dynasty and foreign powers by which China had to cede
territories and pay indemnities.
Source C
The Source below describes the internal and external problems that the Tokugawa
Shogunate faced in the mid-19th century.
The Tokugawa family, which headed the government of Japan at that time, had to
give way to Western demands and accept unequal treaties under military threats of
the USA. As a result, many local lords (known as “daimyo”) and warriors (known
as “samurai”) became deeply discontented with the Tokugawa Shogunate. They
renewed their support to the emperor and demanded reforms. The army of the
Tokugawa government (known as “Bakufu”) was finally defeated and it was
forced to return its power to the emperor.
3
What external challenges did China and Japan face in the mid-19th century? How different
were the responses of the two countries to such challenges?
Suggested answer:
China
Challenges
(Threats)
Responses
Britain demanded trading in
China, and imported opium into
China.
War occurred between China
and Britain.
Japan
The USA, using military threats,
demanded Japan to open its ports.
Under US military threats, the
Tokugawa Shogunate was willing to
open Japan, which caused resentment of
the samurai class, who defeated
Shogunate troops and supported
restoration of the Emperor’s power.
Task 3: Reform Measures
When China and Japan were facing the military expansion of the Western countries, they
both carried out reforms in the areas of political institution, military, education, and
financial institution.
Study Sources D and E, and then answer the questions below.
4
Source D
The table below shows some reforms carried out in China.
1. 1862
2. 1879
3. 1888
4. 1905
5. 1908
setting up of Tongwenguan (China’s first translation school)
setting up of Telegraph Bureau
setting up of the Beiyang Fleet
abolition of the civil service examination
setting up of the Bank of Great Qing
Source E
The table below shows a list of reforms carried out in Japan.
1. 1872
2. 1873
3. 1877
4. 1882
5. 1889
setting up modern schools
setting up new armies
setting up of University of Tokyo
setting up the Central bank
promulgation of the Meiji Constitution
Topic 17:
Asia in the age of European expansion (From the Opium War to 1911)
With reference to Sources D and E, identify one similarity and one difference between the
China’s reforms and Japan’s reforms.
Suggested answer:
Similarity
e.g. Both countries set up new armies (or other possible answers)
Difference
e.g. Japan already promulgated its Constitution in 1889, while China did
not implement any constitution even by 1908 (or other possible answers)
To know more (2)
After its defeat in the two Opium Wars, China carried out a series of reforms,
the Self-Strengthening Movement, such as setting up the Zongli Yamen (i.e.
an institute to deal with foreign affairs), the Tongwenguan (i.e. a foreign
languages school), and a series of educational, economic and military
reforms. It even set up the Beiyang Fleet in 1888. Later on, the whole nation
was alarmed by China’s defeat in the Sino-Japanese War in 1895, and
demands for more thorough reforms followed. Kang Youwei was the first
person to propose such reforms, which, known as the Hundred Days’ Reform,
were foiled by the Empress Dowager Cixi , and a different series of reform
was conducted under her dominance in the years which followed.
5
Task 4: Ideas of Westernisation
Group Discussion: Discuss the questions below with reference to Sources F and G.
Source F
Meiji Emperor of Japan
Source:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Imag
e:The_Emperor_Meiji.jpg
Source G
Empress Dowager Cixi of China
Source:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/common
s/8/8e/The_Ci-Xi_Imperial_Dowager_Empress_
%284%29.PNG)
1. Who do you think manifests Western influences, as viewed from the costume of the two
people in the pictures above? Explain your answer with reference to Sources F and G.
Suggested answer:
The costume of the Meiji Emperor was clearly a western-style formal dress different
from Japanese court dress, while Cixi was in traditional Qing costume.
2. Apart from the costume, do you think there are other areas that manifest
“Westernisation”?
Suggested answer:
Armament
Traffic &
Transport
Parliamentary
System
Westernisation
6
Costume
School
Curriculum
Industrial
Development
Task 5: Opinions advocating reforms in China and Japan
Culture is reflected in clothing style. However, westernisation is not limited to changes of
clothing style. The two passages below are opinions of Chinese and Japanese thinkers who
pointed out the reforms needed by their nations.
Topic 17:
Asia in the age of European expansion (From the Opium War to 1911)
Answer the questions below with reference to Sources H and I.
Source H
1. This was what Fukuzawa Yukichi(福澤諭吉), the enlightened Japanese thinker said in
1871 in Encouraging Learning(勸學篇):
Look at the progress of the West. Their various types of electric and steam engines are
always new and changing as a result of their competition against one another for
improvement. At the same time, economics becomes increasingly popular, and once
political and commercial changes occur, the school system, the form of writings,
government measures and meetings of assemblies are changed in an even more refined
and boundless way.
Source I
In 1902, Liang Qichao(梁啟超) published “On the New Citizen”(新民說), he said:
7
“So there is no intention to strengthen our country today. If there is such intention,
wide references must be made to the way in which various nations and countries
established themselves and we choose and take their strengths in order to complement
our weaknesses. Commentators at present know that we must take the strengths of
others to complement our weaknesses in politics, learning, arts and skills, but they do
not know that virtue, wisdom and ability of the people are really the biggest source of
politics, learning, arts and skills. ” On the New Citizen
“One of the most lacking in our citizens is civic virtue. What is civic virtue? Thanks to
civic virtue, people form into groups and nations are nations…Hence, civic virtue is
the source of all virtues. Qualities that are beneficial to the populace are good whereas
those that do not are wicked.” On Civic Virtue
1.
According to Sources H and I, in what ways are the content of the reforms of China and
Japan similar?
Suggested answer:
Both China and Japan learnt from experience of other countries especially the Western
countries when carrying out their reforms, and the scope of their reforms covered
politics, education and technology.
2.
According to Source I, what factors did Liang Qichao think were essential to the success
of reforms? Did China possess such factors? Explain your answer.
Suggested answer:
Liang Qichao believed that in addition to reforming politics, learning and skills, the most
important was to change people’s thoughts, the most important of which being civic
virtue, which the Chinese lacked. Civic virtue is the most important of all virtues, and
what an individual does must be beneficial to the people.
Task 6: Expansion of various countries in Asia
8
After the Opium War, the powers used force on China under various pretexts and forced
China to accept the new political order the western power set up in Asia by making China
sign unequal treaties, cede territories and pay indemnities.
Answer all questions with reference to Sources J and K.
Source J
In “Emerging from Asia”(脫亞論) of 1884, Fukuzawa (福澤諭吉) said:
We cannot wait without hesitation for the civilization of our neighbours in
order to make a concerted effort to revive Asia. Let us separate ourselves from
their group and ally with Western civilization. Even the way we receive China
and Korea should not be especially courteous simply because of their status as
our neighbours. We must act in accordance with how the Westerners receive
them.
Topic 17:
Asia in the age of European expansion (From the Opium War to 1911)
Source K
The table below shows the invasion of the powers in China.
1881
1884
1886
1894
1902
1904
Russia acquired a considerable amount of land in Ili. By 1899,
Russia had gradually turned Manchuria into its sphere of influence.
After the Sino-French War, Vietnam became a French protectorate
and was totally moved out of the Qing dynasty’s influence.
Britain occupied China’s tributary state Burma.
Japan defeated China in the 1894 Sino-Japanese War and controlled
China’s tributary state Korea. China was also forced to cede the
Liaodong Peninsula, Lushun (Port Arthur), Dalian and Taiwan to
Japan.
Fearing the expansion of Russia, Britain formed an alliance with
Japan. Japan’s international status was raised by defeating China
and allying with Britain.
The conflict between Japan and Russia over the Northeastern
Provinces (known as Manchuria) finally resulted in war in 1904, in
which. Japan was victorious. Since then, the Northeastern
Provinces became Japan’s sphere of influence.
1. What is the attitude of the writer of Source J towards China? Would he be glad to see the
situation in Source K? Explain your answer with reference to Sources J and K.
Suggested answer:
The writer of Source J obviously would be glad to see the situation in Source K. He
thought that Japan need not be courteous with its neighbours such as Japan and Korea, but
instead should treat them in the way that the western countries treated China. Therefore,
he would be happy to see Japan invade China.
9
2. With reference to Source K, fill in the benefits that various countries acquired in China and
the years of acquisition.
Suggested answer:
Countries Year
Benefits acquired from China
Russia
1881
1899
Acquired a considerable amount of land in Ili of Xinjiang
Turned Manchuria into its sphere of influence
Britain
1896
Occupied China’s tributary state Burma
France
1884
After the Sino-French War, Vietnam became a French protectorate
and was totally moved out of the Qing dynasty’s influence.
1894
Japan
1905
Controlled China’s tributary state Korea and forced to cede the
Liaodong Peninsula, Lushun (Port Arthur), Dalian and Taiwan to
Japan.
After the Russo-Japanese War, the Northeastern Provinces became
Japan’s sphere of influence.
3. According to Sources J and K, which country do you think posed the greatest threat
on China? Explain your answer.
Suggested answer:
10
Japan posed the greatest threat on China. According to Source K, Britain and France
only invaded China’s tributary states and did not threaten China’s own security.
Russia also annexed China’s border territories only. Compared to Britain, France and
Russia, Japan’s expansion in China kept intensifying. Source J already reflects
Japanese ambition in China, and according to Source K, it annexed Korea and
Taiwan after the Sino-Japanese War, and turned Manchuria into its sphere of
influence. Its invasion of China was more active than the other three countries.
Extended activity
Look for information from the Internet or the library, and then answer the
following question in form of an essay:
Compare the reforms of China and Japan in the late 19th and the early 20th
centuries (you may discuss from the perspectives of the background, content,
outcome and influences of the reforms).
Topic 17:
Asia in the age of European expansion (From the Opium War to 1911)
Conclusion
When faced with the expansion of Western powers to Asia, China was forced by military
force to open its doors to trade and diplomatic relationships. Small parts of China were
ceded away as colonies, but much more extensive areas came under the influence of
different foreign powers. The humiliation of failure to reform and defeat in war brought
about the collapse of the government in 1911. Japan, on the other hand, was able to
rebuild centralized authority and carry out Westernization reforms. The various Japanese
institutional reforms came earlier than China and were more complete. In the
Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War, Japan was able to defeat China and Russia
respectively. Japan became a strong and powerful empire while the Qing government
was overthrown.
Summary Chart
China and Japan from the
19th to the early 20th century
China
Japan
9
Threatened by USA
Threatened by Britain
Taiping Rebellion
Two Opium Wars
Shogunate forced to
open ports
Reforms by Qing
Government
Samurai restored power of
Emperor
Reforms by Meiji
Government
New translation schools, western armies,
building railways etc.
New schools, new army, finance system, constitution etc.
Sino-Japanese
War
Scramble for
Concessions
cramble for
FailureConcessions
of Hundred Days
Reform
Russo-Japanese
War
Failure of Late Qing Reform
Became a world power
1911 Revolution