1. Decline of Ottoman Empire
Weakening Ottoman Empire couldn’t withstand the intrusion of the strengthening European countries
Loss of Egypt due to rebellion (led by Muhammad Ali)
Focus of trade away from Eurasia to Atlantic Ocean (Ottomans not included)
Had to depend on European loans for industrialization  climbing debt, weakening economy
Establishment of capitulations, agreements of extraterritoriality for European visitors from Ottoman law
Rebellions by various groups (especially Young Turks) also weakened Ottoman rule, promoted Turk nationalism
Weakening continued into 20th century—continued to lose wars & independence movements continued

2. Issues in Russia Weaknesses shown in Crimean War vs. Western Europe
Attempts at government reform  social tensions
Emancipation Manifesto (1861): abolished serfdom, gave rights to serfs but peasants forced to pay for lands
Decembrist Revolt against Nicholas I (1825)
fueled by Enlightenment ideals
1,200 protesters killed in an hour (failed rebellion)
Revolution of 1905
Began with “Bloody Sunday” massacre of 130 protesters against Nicholas II; led to establishment of parliament (Duma) & further weakened Romanov Dynasty

3. Opium Wars Opium – HUGE trading item between China & Britain
Caused a serious drug problem in China  Chinese gov’t banning & destroying opium in 1839
British attacked Grand Canal, won war
Ended with Treaty of Nanjing (1842)
Hong Kong ceded to British
Five Chinese ports opened to commerce
Britain = most-favored-nation status
Extraterritoriality status granted to British living in China (under British law, not Chinese law)
Legalized opium trade
Permitted Christian missions in China
China essentially under foreign control by 1900—would be weakened  rebellion & eventual collapse of Qing Dynasty

4. Rebellions
Political instability, increasing poverty, government corruption & strained resources
Taiping ( )
Hong Xiuquan: called for destruction of Qing Dynasty, abolition of private property, creation of communal wealth, prohibition of foot binding & free public education
Taiping ended up losing, caused even more problems (esp. food shortages) in China; Taipings killed by gov’t
Led to some failed reforms to Qing; China continued to be broken up by European powers (“Spheres of Influence” established)

5. Rebellions Boxer Rebellion: 1900
Organized to rid China of “foreign devils”; killed foreigners & Chinese Christians and those who had ties to foreigners
Crushed by Russian, British, French, U.S., German & Japanese troops
Chinese government had to pay reparations and allow foreign powers to station troops in Beijing
Also caused the view of the Qing Dynasty to decline in the eyes of many Chinese; ultimately led to the end of the dynasty in 1912.

6. Meiji Restoration Many problems in Japan in the late 19th century
Declining agricultural production, samurai fell into debt
Isolationism also a problem; forced to open ports by Matthew C. Perry (USA)
Shogun agreed to unfair treaties, angering many conservatives
Brief war  end of the shogunate; restoration of the emperor of Japan in January 1868 (Meiji)
Series of reforms soon followed

7. Meiji Restoration Opened up to ideas, communication from the West
Creation of prefectures, governance of these
Abolition of samurai, rights of daimyo to carry swords
Conscription of military
Fixed-money tax instead of rice tax
Constitution, creation of the Diet (legislature) in 1889—still gave emperor power
Rapid industrialization modeled after the U.S., Britain (railroads, steamships)
Universal education
Negative effects on peasants
Industrialization  poverty among peasants
Government squashed potential rebellions, increasing control over “criminal activities”