1. Imperialism in Asia

2. China Self Sufficient- resisted trade with the west.
Europeans wanted to find a product the Chinese would buy in large quantity (Opium- very addictive drug).
The Chinese Emperor was angry- led to the Opium War in 1839.
British won: gained control
of Hong Kong through the Treaty of Nanjing.

3. Internal Problems in China
Taiping Rebellion ( )
Chinese began to rebel against Qing Dynasty.
Hong Xiuquan organized a peasant army.
Wanted all Chinese to share in wealth (beginnings of Communism).
Hong’s army fought against Qing imperial troops and foreign armies (British and French).
20 + million died.

4. Foreign Influence in China
China’s internal problems led to an attack of nations.
Sphere of Influence in China:
-British, French, German, Japan, Russia
- nations controlled trade & investment
1899- U.S. was worried other nations would formally colonize China and shut out U.S. trade. U.S. declared an Open Door Policy.
- China to be open to all merchants
- Secured U.S. trading rights in China

5. Boxer Rebellion
Boxers- peasants/workers that resented special privileges for foreigners (like the British)
Formed a secret organization
Society of Harmonious Fists
Slogan- “Death to the Foreign Devils”
Defeated by a multinational force
Led to Chinese Nationalism: China realized it needed to reform in order to survive.

6. Japan

7. Japan Early 1800s, Japan had little contact with other nations.
However, foreign nations continually tried to convince Japan to trade.
In 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in Japan with a message/letter:
Open trade with the US or the US will come back with a fleet of ships and force trade.
Japan opened 2 ports to the US and allowed a US Embassy.

8. Race to Modernization
Japanese were upset about foreign influence – feared they were losing control.
1867- Emperor Mutsuhito realized the best way to oppose foreign influence is to modernize and reform.
known as the Meiji Era.
By 1890, Japan had become the strongest military in Asia.
Japan began to imperialize.