Imperialism over China and
Japan
Agenda
1. What is gained by the United States after the
Spanish-American War in 1898? (5)
2. Notes: China and Japan, Spheres of Influence
(15-20)
3. Compare and Contrast China and Japan (10)
4. Boxer Rebellion Video Clip (15)
5. Propaganda: Racism and bias in Japan (20)
6 Objective Review: Imperial Ambitions of Japan
and China. (10)
Chinese Isolation
• Chinese felt they were
superior.
• When presented with
Western Technology,
Chinese not interested in
“gadgets”
• China is self-sufficient, no
need for connections to
outside world.
• Extensive food supply,
along with manufacturing.
Opium War
• Limited trade with the
West.
• European merchants
started trading opium for
tea.
• Opium War begins in
1839.
• Chinese ships no match
for steamboats of Britain.
• Treaty of Nanjing gives
Hong Kong to Britain,
other countries granted
trade rights with China.
(1844)
Problems in China
• Chinese hated the new
foreigners.
• Food production was
stagnant, led to
starvation.
• Huang He River…
• Taiping Rebellion =
“Great Peace”
– Hong attempted to have a
new government take
China. (Failed after 14
years)
Reform
• Rebellions and War
stress the Chinese
Government.
• Cixi would resist change,
advocating only selfstrengthening
movements.
• Sphere of Influenceforeign nations control
trade and investment.
• Open Door Policy started
to preserve American
trade interests.
Chinese Nationalism
• Guangxu attempts to
modernize China, but his
Aunt Cixi quells the
notion and kills the
supporters.
• Peasants tired of foreign
privilege and Cixi
launched Boxer
Rebellion.
• Empress showed support
for rebellion, but also
supported British.
• Multinational force ends
the rebellion.
Japan Ends Isolation
• Matthew Perry shows
up with an offer.
– Free trade between
America and Japan.
– Perry would return
with a “large” fleet to
get their answer.
• Treaty of Kanagawa
opened two ports for
American ships.
Reform and Modernization
• Meiji reign promotes
Enlightenment.
• All land is given to the
emperor.
• Modernized Japan by
sending scholars to study
western culture and
technology.
• Adopted a strong military,
and free public education.
• Industrialization follows.
Japanese Imperialism
• Strongest military in Asia.
• Many nations abolished
extraterritorial rights in Japan,
feeling that Japan is
westernized.
• Sino-Japanese War (1894)
gives Japan several colonies.
• Russo-Japanese War gave
Japan Manchuria.
• Korea now a protectorate of
Japan.
• Imperialists, they made
Koreans learn Japanese
Customs and language.
Japanese Propaganda
• Each student will receive a print of the
Russo-Japanese War. For these prints,
you must tell me what is going on in the
print, and is there bias towards one
specific group. Then you must explain
why.
Quick Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Why did the Chinese resist Western influence?
Why did the Opium War occur?
What are Spheres of Influence?
What is an open door policy?
Why does Japan end isolation?
How does Japan become an imperial power?
Who does Japan attempt to conquer in their
military conquests?