Unit 5: Industrialization and Qing & Meiji Restoration

Why was the shogunate overthrown and the emperor's power restored?

After the opening of trade to the American Commodore Matthew Perry, more western fleets appeared with similar demands. Samurai clans, enraged with the shogun's approval overthrew him and restored the emperor's power in fear of meeting the same end as China.

What economic issues did the decline of the Qing bring?

Economic issues which resulted in the decline of the Qing Dynasty was the impoverished survivors of environmental disasters who faced foreign economic competition and modernization, starvation causing the overall population to become poorer, economy did not advance, as well as the import value of goods was four times more than the price of exported goods.

How were China and Japan similar in the 19th century?

Japan and China were similar in their seclusion from western influences. Japan's National Seclusion Policy caused the Japanese to be inaccessible to the western world except for a port in Nagasaki. Japan also happened to be very anti-Christian as well China at this time. China experienced their own seclusion, where foreigners were expelled if the Qing felt threatened by them. The Qing also only ever exported trade products to western countries, but never imported in fear of westernization.

What is one difference between Japan and China in the 19th century?

One difference between Japan and China in the 19th century was China's reluctance to modernize leading to their downfall. Japan's exposure to westernization after opening trade with western countries as well as the Meiji Restoration allowed for Japan as a whole to industrialize and modernize. As they industrialized, Japan became stronger economically as well as politically. China's refusal to industrialize left them vulnerable to the western countries, such as the British, whose industrialization allowed them to seize the port of Hong Kong. China's refusal to industrialize also proved to be a mistake after the Sino-Japanese war allowing them to take territory.

What was the Boxer Rebellion?

The Boxer Rebellion was led by martial artists as an attempt to overthrow the government and expel or kill although it was revealed that Empress Cixi secretly supported the movement. It was an anti-Christian movement where converts were often killed and eventually turned into a war on foreigners.

What was the Meiji Restoration?

The Meiji Restoration was the start of Japan's modern age, which was characterized by a rise in imperial power. This allowed for state sponsored industrialization of Japan which changed Japan from a feudal, samurai protected society to a more centralized society with civil service exams and merit based systems. Their industrialization also allowed their army to be available to all citizens to become larger and stronger.

What are the Spheres of Influence?

The Spheres of Influence were sections of China that were essentially "taken over" by other countries culture.

What was the Taiping Rebellion?

The Taiping Rebellion was a quasi-Christian movement led by Hong Xiuquan, who was influenced by a Christian missionary but was not a converter. The movement included the banning of slavery, men using concubines, arranged marriages, opium use, foot binding, torture, and the worship of ideals. This allowed woman to want more equality.

What is the Treaty of Nanking?

The Treaty of Nanking was a peace treaty between the Qing and the British. The Chinese ceded Hong Kong and paid an indemnity to the British and agreed to a tariff being placed.

What were the Opium Wars main purpose?

The purpose of the Opium Wars was to open up the Chinese ports to the British for trading. By using opium, a very powerful drug found in India, the British were able to first addict many Chinese workers and increase trading because of their addiction. Chinese ports were attempting to close to the British, who fought and won the port of Hong Kong because of their industrialized army and navy.