East Asia
Period 5
Opium Wars
• The British and Qing Dynasty fight an extensive conflict that occurs in two parts and feasibly opens China to more global influence.
– After the First Opium War, we sign the Treaty of Wanghia (Next Slide)
– During the Second Opium War, despite claiming neutrality, we send US Navy vessels to aid in attacking seaside forts. American and Chinese trade Treaty of Wanghia ‐ 1845
• American merchants are interested in opening trade with the Chinese. There were already treaties of this nature between the US and UK
• Agreed that :
1. US citizens will be tried by US officers (extraterritoriality)
2. Fixed tariffs in treaty ports
3. US right to buy land in the treaty ports
4. Right for Americans to learn Chinese (previously outlawed)
5. US granted ‘most‐favored nation’ status giving US similar treatment to the UK regarding trade
Chinese Migration to America
• Chinese immigrants in the 19th century worked as laborers, particularly on the railroads.
– They also worked as laborers in the mining industry, and suffered racial discrimination at every level of society. • While industrial employers were eager to get this new and cheap labor, the ordinary white public was stirred to anger by the presence of this "yellow peril". • Despite the provisions for equal treatment of Chinese immigrants in the 1868 Burlingame Treaty, political and labor organizations rallied against the immigration of what they regarded as a degraded race and "cheap Chinese labor". • Newspapers condemned the policies of employers, and even church leaders denounced the entrance of these aliens into what was regarded as a land for whites only. (Nativists)
America’s role in opening Japan
• Mexican American war gives US harbors in San Diego and San Francisco
• Japan had closed itself off from internal trading for over 200 years
• Commodore Matthew Perry sails two US warships into Tokyo trying to negotiate treaty for trade with Japanese
• To impress Japanese, Perry brought musical instruments, a Minstrel show, showed off the features of the warships and convinced Japanese leaders to sign treaty
Treaty of Kanagawa
• The first treaty between America and the Empire of Japan under the Tokugawa Shogunate.
• Ends the 220 year policy of sakoku (national seclusion) • Two ports in Japan are open to American shipping. Gave US ships a place to stop and refuel on the way to China, who was one of our most important trading partners
• Lead to the modernization of Japan
• Transportation of Cargo by Westerners at the Port of Yokohama, 1861 by Japanese artist Utagawa Sadahide