IMPERIALISM IN EGYPT, CHINA, & JAPAN

IMPERIALISM IN EGYPT, CHINA, & JAPAN 1840 - 1910

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 • Japan would need to adopt western ways. • This became known as the “Meiji Restoration” – Japans adoption of western ways • Knew wouldn’t be taken over now, so Japan 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) • Korea became its protectorate of Japan

EGYPT & THE SUEZ CANAL • Originally France interested in Egypt for strategic location (Red Sea), but Napoleon failed • The French originally set out to build the Suez Canal in 1859

EGYPT & THE SUEZ CANAL • Egypt interested in modernizing like Europe, so figured they need to trade like Europe • 1869 – Egypt decided to build manmade waterway that cut through Suez, connecting Red Sea to Mediterranean  SUEZ CANAL

EGYPT & THE SUEZ CANAL • Why would they want to build it??? • Time Saved: 2 weeks • Miles Saved: 4,000

EGYPT & THE SUEZ CANAL • Egypt 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 • Suez 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  Chinese 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 CHINAPoppies

REFORM IN CHINA • Results of Opium War: • China divided into spheres of influence • Increase in Western trade & influence in Asia • Britain gains island of Hong Kong

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

Safari Montage Boxer Rebellion

IMPERIALISM IN EGYPT, CHINA, & JAPAN