IMPERIALISM IN

EGYPT, CHINA, & JAPAN

1840 - 1910

EGYPT & THE SUEZ CANAL

Originally France interested in Egypt for strategic location (Red Sea), but Napoleon failed

EGYPT & THE SUEZ CANAL

Egypt interested in modernizing like Europe, so figured they need to trade like Europe

1869 - Decided to build manmade waterway that cut through Suez, connecting Red Sea to Mediterranean SUEZ CANAL

EGYPT & THE SUEZ CANAL

Time Saved: 2 weeks

Miles Saved: 4,000

EGYPT & THE SUEZ CANAL

Had to borrow $$ from France ($450 million!), but found they could not pay back the debt

Britain jumped on the chance to oversee financial control of the canal by 1882 British occupied Egypt

Canal was “Lifeline of the British Empire” b/c allowed quicker access to its colonies in Asia and Africa

REFORM IN CHINA

China proud of their culture & many work opportunities very self-sufficient

Not interested in gadgets West was offering; only in agriculture did not want to trade w/ Europeans

But Europeans wanted access to Chinese goods & resources (especially tea)

REFORM IN CHINA

Britain determined to find something Chinese wanted to trade…OPIUM! Habit-forming drug; Chinese doctors used it for pain

relief for centuries

By 1835, 12 million Chinese addicted & rising

Qing Emperor asked Britain to stop, but refused led to OPIUM WAR (1839-1842)

British victory, gained island of Hong Kong

REFORM IN CHINA

REFORM IN CHINA

Results of Opium War:1. China divided into spheres of

influence2. Increase in Western trade & influence

in Asia3. Britain gains island of Hong Kong4. Taiping Rebellion revolt of the

people against the emperor

REFORM IN CHINA

Due to Opium addiction, China no longer productive & people hungry

Europeans taking advantage of China’s growing problems

Had to declare “Open Door Policy” to keep from being divided up & colonized like Africa

REFORM IN CHINA

Poor peasants/workers resented foreign influence formed secret organization, Society of Harmonious Fists (aka Boxers)

Wanted to get rid of Qing Dynasty, started BOXER REBELLION

Rebellion failed, but nationalism rose; started to travel West to examine government structures

REFORM IN CHINA

JAPAN & MEIJI ERA

1600s, Japan was isolated (“closed door”)

1853 - US Commodore Matthew Perry took ships/weapons to Japan & demand they open trade signed Treaty of Kanagawa & opened 2 ports to all

Japanese angry & overthrew Tokugawa Shogun

JAPAN & MEIJI ERA

New MEIJI ERA rules (“Enlightened”)

Figured if you can’t beat ‘em,join ‘em adopted European modern ways

Knew wouldn’t be taken over now, so decided to become imperialists too Established colonies in China

Now Japan & Russia major powers in Asia

JAPAN & MEIJI ERA

Both Russia & Japan want Manchuria for natural resources RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR (Japan victory)

Japan went after Korea & won established a protectorate & annexation (direct rule)