CHAPTER 15
Transformations
Around the Globe
1800-1914
In China, a weak government
could not resist European power.
In Japan, a reforming emperor
modernized the country and
launched imperialist expansion.
The Latin American economies
fell prey to European businesses,
and the US became the dominant
power in the region.
Western economic pressure forced
China to open to foreign trade and
influence.
• In the late 1700s, China was
self-sufficient (rice farming)
• China allowed limited trade
with European powers.
• Britain brought opium to
China which caused
devastation and conflict.
• Chinese groups rebelled
against the government.
(many want to get rid of all
Western influence)
•European powers and
Japan gained control
over Chinese
economics.
What caused China to
eventually trade with
England?
Japan followed the model of
Western powers by expanding its
foreign influence.
•Japan had been
isolated for 200 years
until the US demanded
trade.
• The emperor was determined
to modernize his country.
• By 1890, Japan was the
strongest military power in
Asia.
How might Japan’s
effort to modernize
“fore shadowing”
future world events?
LATIN AMERICA
After a long struggle for
independence, Latin America
needed to rebuild
economically.
• Cycle of poverty for most
citizens
• Few wealthy land owners
• Military experience created
military leaders
• US and Britain became main
trading partners
• Export economic base
–Cacao, coffee, bananas, cotton,
sugar cane
• imported manufactured goods
(didn’t build their own factories)
• Little money spent on
infrastructure improvements
US influence in Latin America
• Good relationship with
neighbors = security
• Monroe Doctrine: “Don’t even
think about trying to have
power here in our
hemisphere”
• Spanish-American war: US
helps Cuba get independence
from Spain
• Panama canal: US funded
How could you
consider the US
“Imperialists” in Latin
America?
MEXICAN REVOLUTION
• US fights to keep Texas and
other territories
• Try to establish national
identity
• Overcome French occupation
• Mexican Revolution 1910