Chapter 23Shadows over the Pacific: East Asia under Challenge

The Qing Empire in the Early Twentieth Century

The Qing Empire in the Early Twentieth Century

1. The Qing dynasty from 1644 to 1912 generally continued the political and social order of the previous Ming (1368-1644). The ruling Manchus originated in Manchuria from which the unifier of the Manchu state, Nurhachi, seized part of the Liaotung Peninsula and in 1625 made Mukden his capital. Beijing, and thus the Chinese throne, fell to the Manchus in 1644.

2. In the 1670s the khan of the Dzungars, Galdan, in western Mongolia extended his control over Chinese Turkestan (Xinjiang) . When Galdan attacked the eastern Mongols, China replied and in 1696 destroyed Galdan's army. By the 1750s after years of unsettled affairs, the Qing gained control Dzungaria and Chinese Turkestan.

3. In subduing the Western Mongols, the Qing were led to move on Tibet since the Lamist church exercised influence on both Tibetan life and the Mongols. In 1750 a Qing protectorate with a garrison of 1500 men was established.

4. Since the Manchus constituted only two percent of the empire's entire population, military forces were strategically placed throughout the empire: 25 posts around Beijing; strategic locations in the northwestern frontier to prevent attacks from Central Asia; major population centers; and at important southern locations. Further protecting themselves, the Manchus separated their homeland from China and prohibited Chinese immigration in 1668. The Willow Palisade (a ditch with willows planted along it) was extended from near where the Great Wall begins in the east several hundred miles to north of Mukden and then down the Yalu River.

5. In the late eighteenth century military campaigns brought tributary status to Nepal, Burma, and Vietnam. Siam, Cambodia, Laos, and Tonkin also paid tribute at various times.

6. Between 1858 and 1860 Russia succeeded in gaining by treaty the north bank of the Amur River and jointly possessed with China the territory between the Ussuri River and the sea. The east coast of Manchuria remained unresolved between Russia and China. Finally in 1860 a treaty gave Russia the Maritime Provinces between the Ussuri and the Pacific where Vladivostok was founded in 1860.

7. By 1637 Korea had been made a vassal state. In 1876 Japan forced China to open three ports and declare Korea an independent state. War broke out in 1895 over China's claim on Korea. China's loss resulted in the recognition of the independence of Korea and handing over Liaotung Peninsula and Taiwan (Formosa) to Japan.

Question:1. How had the Qing begun to contract by the end of the nineteenth century?

The Qing Empire in the Early Twentieth Century

1. The Qing dynasty from 1644 to 1912 generally continued the political and social order of the previous Ming (1368-1644). The ruling Manchus originated in Manchuria from which the unifier of the Manchu state, Nurhachi, seized part of the Liaotung Peninsula and in 1625 made Mukden his capital. Beijing, and thus the Chinese throne, fell to the Manchus in 1644.

2. In the 1670s the khan of the Dzungars, Galdan, in western Mongolia extended his control over Chinese Turkestan (Xinjiang) . When Galdan attacked the eastern Mongols, China replied and in 1696 destroyed Galdan's army. By the 1750s after years of unsettled affairs, the Qing gained control Dzungaria and Chinese Turkestan.

3. In subduing the Western Mongols, the Qing were led to move on Tibet since the Lamist church exercised influence on both Tibetan life and the Mongols. In 1750 a Qing protectorate with a garrison of 1500 men was established.

4. Since the Manchus constituted only two percent of the empire's entire population, military forces were strategically placed throughout the empire: 25 posts around Beijing; strategic locations in the northwestern frontier to prevent attacks from Central Asia; major population centers; and at important southern locations. Further protecting themselves, the Manchus separated their homeland from China and prohibited Chinese immigration in 1668. The Willow Palisade (a ditch with willows planted along it) was extended from near where the Great Wall begins in the east several hundred miles to north of Mukden and then down the Yalu River.

5. In the late eighteenth century military campaigns brought tributary status to Nepal, Burma, and Vietnam. Siam, Cambodia, Laos, and Tonkin also paid tribute at various times.

6. Between 1858 and 1860 Russia succeeded in gaining by treaty the north bank of the Amur River and jointly possessed with China the territory between the Ussuri River and the sea. The east coast of Manchuria remained unresolved between Russia and China. Finally in 1860 a treaty gave Russia the Maritime Provinces between the Ussuri and the Pacific where Vladivostok was founded in 1860.

7. By 1637 Korea had been made a vassal state. In 1876 Japan forced China to open three ports and declare Korea an independent state. War broke out in 1895 over China's claim on Korea. China's loss resulted in the recognition of the independence of Korea and handing over Liaotung Peninsula and Taiwan (Formosa) to Japan.

Question:1. How had the Qing begun to contract by the end of the nineteenth century?

Decline of the Manchus Balance of trade

Opium Lin Zexu (Lin Tse-hsu; 1785-1850), 1839 Opium War (1839-1842)

Concessions to Britain Taiping (T’ai p’ing) Rebellion, 1853-1864) Imperial breakdown Intensification of political and military penetration Sino-Japanese War, 1894-1895 Emperor Guangxu (Kuang Hsu)

Kang Youwei (K’ang Yu-wei)Empress Dowager Cixi (Tz’u Hsi)

Opening the Door to China United States’ “Open Door” policy Boxer Rebellion, 1900

Collapse of the Old Order Commission formed to study constitutional changes, 1905 Election for a national assembly, 1910 New provincial elite Rising rural unrest

Reforms do little for the peasants, artisans, miners, transportation workers

Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925)

Revive China SocietyFailed local insurrectionsRevolutionary AllianceThree People’s Principles of Nationalism

Revolt of October 1911General Yaun Shikai (Yaun Shih-k’ai)Was this a revolution?

Chinese Society in Transition Impact of imperialism on the economy Daily life

Changes in coastal citiesIncreased Western cultural presenceEducationWomenImpact of missionaries

Rise of Modern Japan

End of Isolation Commodore Matthew C. Perry, 1853 Treaty of Kanagawa Townsend Harris, 1858 Sat-Cho alliance

Meiji Restoration Political changes on the Western model Charter Oath, 1868 Emergence of political parties Meiji Constitution

Meiji EconomicsLand reformFukoku kyoheiRailroadImpact of changes on the rural population

Social structureMilitary structureEducation

Imperial Rescript on Education, 1890ieWomenCommoners

Japanese Overseas Expansion during the Meiji Era

Japanese Overseas Expansion during the Meiji Era

1. At the time when Commodore Matthew Perry opened up Japan to trade by gunboat diplomacy in April 1853, the emperor was a figurehead with real power in the hands of the shogun with the aid of the warrior nobility, the samurai. A wave of anti-foreignism between 1858 and 1863 resulted in allied naval attacks by the American, British, Dutch, and French navies, demonstrating the weakness of the shogun government. In 1867 patriotic samurai seized the government and restored the power of the Meiji emperor thereby initiating the Meiji Era. By 1890 Japan had established an authoritarian constitution with vast powers to the emperor and his minister.

2. Japan soon copied western imperialism. Having opened Korea in 1876, Japan defeated Korea in 1894 and secured Taiwan, the Pescadores Islands, the Kwantung peninsula in South Manchuria. Russia, France, and Germany forced Japan to give up the Guandong peninsula. In 1897 Russia took Kwantung for itself.

3. Japanese and Russian imperialism clashed over Manchuria and Korea in 1904 over which both had cast covetous eyes. Attacking the Russian fleet at Port Arthur without warning February 8, 1904, Japan emerged victorious in 1905. Japan took Russia's protectorate over Port Arthur and the Kwantung peninsula, Karafuto, the Russian railway in south Manchuria, and achieved recognition of Japan's "paramount interest" in Korea. In 1910 Korea was formally annexed, to be called Chosen.

4. In 1902 Japan and Britain formed a military alliance. When World War I broke out Japan entered as Britain's ally. Although Japan played a minimal military role, it was rewarded with the German possessions in East Asia and the Pacific -- Kiaochow Bay and the port of Qingdao on the coast of Shandong.

Questions:1. How did Japan emulate western imperialism?2. What was the consequence of war between Russia and Japan?

Japanese Overseas Expansion during the Meiji Era

1. At the time when Commodore Matthew Perry opened up Japan to trade by gunboat diplomacy in April 1853, the emperor was a figurehead with real power in the hands of the shogun with the aid of the warrior nobility, the samurai. A wave of anti-foreignism between 1858 and 1863 resulted in allied naval attacks by the American, British, Dutch, and French navies, demonstrating the weakness of the shogun government. In 1867 patriotic samurai seized the government and restored the power of the Meiji emperor thereby initiating the Meiji Era. By 1890 Japan had established an authoritarian constitution with vast powers to the emperor and his minister.

2. Japan soon copied western imperialism. Having opened Korea in 1876, Japan defeated Korea in 1894 and secured Taiwan, the Pescadores Islands, the Kwantung peninsula in South Manchuria. Russia, France, and Germany forced Japan to give up the Guandong peninsula. In 1897 Russia took Kwantung for itself.

3. Japanese and Russian imperialism clashed over Manchuria and Korea in 1904 over which both had cast covetous eyes. Attacking the Russian fleet at Port Arthur without warning February 8, 1904, Japan emerged victorious in 1905. Japan took Russia's protectorate over Port Arthur and the Kwantung peninsula, Karafuto, the Russian railway in south Manchuria, and achieved recognition of Japan's "paramount interest" in Korea. In 1910 Korea was formally annexed, to be called Chosen.

4. In 1902 Japan and Britain formed a military alliance. When World War I broke out Japan entered as Britain's ally. Although Japan played a minimal military role, it was rewarded with the German possessions in East Asia and the Pacific -- Kiaochow Bay and the port of Qingdao on the coast of Shandong.

Questions:1. How did Japan emulate western imperialism?2. What was the consequence of war between Russia and Japan?

Japanese Imperialism China Korea

China and Japanese rivalryPort ArthurTreaty of Shimonoseki

Russo-Japanese War, 1904-1905 Japanese Culture

Literature Arts and crafts Woodblocks

Evaluation of the Meiji Restoration