Notes 3: American Imperialism in East Asia Modern US History
Unit 1-6 January 23, 2012
Slide 2
Industrialization led to an increase in demand for luxury goods
in the United States and Europe. Merchants wanted to trade with
East Asia for spices, perfumes, silks, and furniture.
Slide 3
In 1800, China was ruled by the Qing dynasty of the Manchus.
This was a prosperous dynasty that rapidly declined due to a
combination of internal problems and external pressures. By 1800,
Europeans had been regularly trading with China for over 200 years,
but they were restricted to a single port city at Guangzhou
(Canton). China before Imperialism
Slide 4
Much of this trade was controlled by the British who wanted to
expand beyond their singular port. China was a large,
self-sufficient country and it traded mostly with itself. China saw
itself as the Middle Kingdom the highest civilization in the world
surrounded by barbarians. The Qing rulers favored an isolationist
policy, though Christian missionaries were allowed into the
kingdom. China before Imperialism
Slide 5
The English wanted luxury goods (silk, spices, and porcelain)
and tea from China. It is estimated that the average London worker
spent 5% of their household budget on tea. Since China was
self-sufficient, England was importing more goods from China than
China was importing from England. This was in opposition to the
current economic theory of mercantilism at the time. England Solves
their Trade Problems with China
Slide 6
mercantilism: an economic system of imperialist countries that
had the imperialist country export more goods to their colonies
than they imported from those colonies England Solves their Trade
Problem with China
Slide 7
To change the trade balance to their favor, the English needed
to find a good that they could provide that China did not have.
They found this in their colony of India opium The English began
exporting opium to China even though Chinese officials made it
illegal. The English fostered their trade: they bribed officials,
helped the Chinese work out elaborate smuggling schemes to get the
opium into China's interior, and distributed free samples of the
drug to innocent victims. England Solves their Trade Problem with
China
Slide 8
The cost to China was enormous. The drug weakened a large
percentage of the population (some estimate that 10 percent of the
population regularly used opium by the late 1800s), and silver
began to flow out of China to pay for the opium. England Solves
their Trade Problem with China
Slide 9
China Fights Back + Carving Up the Melon Because opium
addiction was severely injuring China, the Chinese government
decided to take action. The Chinese government tried to confiscate
foreign stores. The Confiscation of British opium under the new
laws was too much for the English who decided to punish China for
interfering with their trade.
Slide 10
China Fights Back + Carving Up the Melon This was the beginning
of the first Opium War (1839-1842). The non-industrialized Chinese
lost both the first and second Opium Wars.
Slide 11
After the two Opium wars, European countries began to exert a
stronger influence over China. Treaties were signed that gave
rights to the Europeans and removed Chinas rights to govern
European activity in their country. This became known as the treaty
system. Along with being forced to agree with strong European
influence, pieces of China itself were also being carved away by
European nations. China Fights Back + Carving Up the Melon
Slide 12
Foreign Spheres of Influence in China (1842- 1907)
Slide 13
By 1898, most of China had been partitioned into spheres of
influence which were controlled by European powers. The United
States realized that they had missed the boat since they did not
control any piece of China. To protect American trade with China
into the future, the United States suggested creating an Open Door
Policy in China. This policy would leave China independent
(European countries could not completely take over pieces of it)
and it would allow all countries free trade with China. The Open
Door Policy
Slide 14
The United States sent their policy out to the other nations
that had influence in China. None of these nations agreed to sign
it, but since none of the nations disagreed with the policy, the
U.S. announced that the Open Door Policy was enacted The Open Door
Policy
Slide 15
China tried to strengthen itself after this, but conservatives
in the government put a stop to this. By 1911, China was very weak
and could not withstand a revolt led by followers of Sun Yat-sen;
the Qing dynasty collapsed. The Revolution of 1911 ended imperial
rule in China. China is now ruled by a communist system, although
aspects of capitalism have been introduced into the economy. The
Open Door Policy
Slide 16
American Imperialism in Japan
Slide 17
Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate. This was a
hierarchical system of government and society with four distinct
classes the warriors, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Japan
traded with the English and Dutch and allowed Christian
missionaries during the 1500s. Japan before Imperialism
Slide 18
In 1639, the shogun (ruler of Japan under the emperor) isolated
Japan from the outside world. Christianity, foreign trade, and the
building of ocean traveling ships (long distance) were outlawed. A
policy of strict isolationism took over as even foreign books were
banned. Some of the reasons for this include a fear that the
teachings of Christianity would cause the Japanese people to follow
the leadership of the Pope or Jesus instead of the shogun also some
Jesuits destroyed shrines which angered some Japanese. Only a tiny
Dutch (Netherlands) settlement was allowed in the city of Nagasaki.
Japan Before Imperialism
Slide 19
The closure of Japan to foreign traders was a challenge to the
imperialists so Commodore Matthew Perry was sent to Japan in 1853
to try and establish trade between Japan and the United States.
Matthew Perry sailed four ships into Edo Bay in July 1853 2
steam-powered sailing ships which were pulling 2 sloops. America
Visits Japan
Slide 20
American Sketch of Perrys Fleet Perrys original group only
contained four ships. What is this painting trying to show by
exaggerating the number of boats?
Slide 21
American Ships surrounded by Japanese Ships Describe the
difference between the American and Japanese ships.
Slide 22
Japanese Painting of an American Steamship What emotions did
Perrys ships inspire in the Japanese who saw them?
Slide 23
Samurai Gathering In Case the Arrival of the Black Ships Means
War
Slide 24
On this trip Perry delivered a letter from the president of the
United States, Millard Fillmore, and left shortly thereafter. Perry
returned in March 1854 with 9 ships to receive the Japanese
response. On this trip, Perry and his crew stayed longer in Japan
and exchanged gifts with important noblemen. The high point of
these activities was a treaty signed on March 31, 1854 in Kanagawa
which met all of the U.S. governments requests. America Visits
Japan
Slide 25
American Painting of American Gifts Being Given to the Japanese
What gifts do you see being given to the Japanese? Why?
Slide 26
The Treaty of Kanagawa guaranteed good treatment of castaways
opened two Japanese ports for provisions and refuge, and laid the
groundwork for Japans reluctant acceptance of an American
consulwhich broke down the remaining barriers to Japans
incorporation in the global political economy. In 1858, U.S. consul
to Japan, Townsend Harris, signed the Harris treaty that called for
the opening of several new ports for US trade and residence along
with an exchange of ministers. After Japan had agreed to this with
the Americans, European countries soon came to sign similar
treaties as well. America Visits Japan
Slide 27
After being opened by America, Japan decided to quickly
modernize themselves this process was known as the Meiji
restoration. Japan had seen what Europeans had done to China and
wanted to keep that from happening in Japan. America Visits
Japan
Slide 28
Therefore Japan began to change their system of government,
import technological ideas such as the railroad and telegraph, and
strengthen and modernize their defense system. This process led
Japan to become a world power in a short amount of time. By 1894,
they had defeated China in the first Sino- Japanese War over Korea.
Japans increasing desire for world power would lead to conflict in
the 20th century. America Visits Japan