Essay On European Influence On Japan And China

785 Words2 Pages

Both China and Japan were greatly affected by the arrival of Europeans in Asia. The Europeans wanted to trade, but they didn’t have many items to trade. China and Japan soon began to develop policies to keep European influence at bay while still maintaining trade dominance. Both nations developed similar yet unique policies and methods of dealing with Europeans that would have large impacts socially, economically, and politically for centuries to come. China and Japan each developed policies that controlled European trade with them. In China, Europeans, particularly the British were confined to trading through Canton. They were not allowed access to a variety of locations. This can be attributed to the fact that China wanted to continue to control trade prices. If Europeans had access to other trade markets they would be able to negotiate prices, damaging the Chinese economy. The British had a large imbalance of trade, and in 1793 Lord MaCartney attempted to compromise with China to …show more content…

The problem began when missionaries started destroying the traditional culture of the area. While China allowed some trade, Japan cut off almost all trade. In each case, both countries lost the respect of the Europeans. Therefore their economies and technological advancements suffered for years to come, Yet, both societies stayed stable. The Qing Dynasty was the longest lasting dynasty in history, and the Tokugawa Shogunate lasted for over 250 years. This can be attributed to the fact that the countries were once again united. China especially became ethnocentric and xenophobic. Meanwhile, Japan began to develop the capitalist society China could not because of China’s negative attitude towards the merchant class and Japan’s slower rate of growth (more land available). Thus, while the policies adopted by China and Japan in regards to Europeans appear similar at first, they affected society in many different

Show More
Related

  • Japanese and German Imperialism in the Late 19th Century

    1212 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the late 19th century, Japan and Germany each developed into powerful, imperial countries as a result of modernizing and transforming into a manufacturing based society. The manufacturing industry is most favorable for a society because it “promotes the general welfare, increases population, public revenue, and the power of the country.” (List, 9). The people who benefitted most from the rapid industrialization and modernization were the owners of capital at the top of the political hierarchy and the Industrial Middle Class. By turning away from the feudal, agricultural based society to a manufacturing based society Japan and Germany were enabled to efficiently “extend [their] influence to all parts of the world.” (List,9). One reason for Japan and Germany’s rapid industrialization was the active role played by their governments who promoted and guided change. Each country used their powerful military to be recognized as a dominant force in the markets which as a result encouraged industrialization, however, the initial motives for industrialization in japan and Germany differed due to the pre-existing conditions in each country.

    Read More

  • Westernization in China and Japan

    1311 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the middle of the 19th century, despite a few similarities between the initial responses of China and Japan to the West, they later diverged; which ultimately affected and influenced the modernizing development of both countries. At first, both of the Asian nations rejected the ideas which the West had brought upon them, and therefore went through a time period of self-imposed isolation. However, the demands that were soon set by Western imperialism forced them, though in different ways, to reconsider. And, by the end of the 19th century both China and Japan had introduced ‘westernizing’ reforms. China’s aim was to use modern means to retain and preserve their traditional Confucian culture. Whereas Japan, on the other hand, began to successfully mimic Western technology as it pursued modernization, and thus underwent an astounding social upheaval. Hence, by the year 1920, Japan was recognized as one of the world’s superpowers, whereas China was on the edge of anarchy.

    Read More

  • My Individualism Written by Natsume Soseki

    1658 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...r old systems. Japan was more about changing and advancing the country, while for China they were comfortable with what they had, until realizing that they didn’t want to lose to the world. As well it also felt like China was very intimidated by the west because of their strong and powerful military. A small country like Japan had won wars after altering their country, it gave China more reasons that they need to be aware of modernization.

    Read More

  • Chinese Influence on Japan and Korea

    1316 Words  | 3 Pages

    The country of China is one of the largest countries in the world. Because of its size and closeness to other countries and cultures, there is a large chance that other countries around it, before today, had been influenced by the culture of this civilization and adopted some of the culture into their own. The language of the Chinese civilization may be one of the more prevalent adaptations for the other cultures surrounding China; although it is likely that there has been more of an adaptation towards the language within Japan and Korea. The extent of the impact of the Chinese culture concerning the cultures of Japan and Korea is ambiguous for the most part but multiple factors can be taken into account to determine the most probable influence.

    Read More

  • Chinese Influence on Korea and Japan

    1101 Words  | 3 Pages

    Today, Japanese and Korean civilizations are advanced, wealthy, and independent with their own system of government and religious beliefs due to the influences from China. The majority of Asia experienced changes in government and dealt with inter and intra state conflicts when the countries were most susceptible to influences from alliances made with other countries. The Tang Dynasty/ Silla alliance shaped the future of Korea’s religious and government movements. Art and literature from China also greatly impacted Korea’s and Japan’s society and provided new insight into literary expression through new forms of poetry and a new system of writing. Religion was also a major influence because of popularity and acceptance of new views and beliefs. Agriculture played an important role in the development of Korean and Japanese civilizations because new tools and forms of irrigation led to more efficient harvesting. The bulk of Chinese influence impacted Japanese society through the Heian period and Korea was heavily influenced by Chinese culture during the period when Silla unified Korea. Although there were many factors of Chinese culture that influenced Korean and Japanese civilizations, religion and government legislation had the most impact.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast China And Japan's Response To Western Penetration

    917 Words  | 2 Pages

    During the 19th Century, China and Japan each responded differently to western penetration. China was against industrializing and did not want to create an empire like those of the western empires. Japan however learned that if they wanted to survive they had to adopt the changes that the western empires were adopting. Japan began to create an industrialized society and soon became one of the major industrial powers. China went through many rebellions and finally decided to industrialize just enough to be able to fight off the western empires. However, they did not industrialize fast enough or big enough, and they could not defeat the west. Although they responded differently, both China and Japan were affected by western penetration economically,

    Read More

  • Western Imperialism and Modern East Asia

    1194 Words  | 3 Pages

    Western imperialism in East Asia caused many tribulations for China, Japan, and Korea but also helped them to become contemporary nations. The East Asian countries were tremendously affected by unequal treaties, extraterritoriality, and above all, technology. Great Britain encroached upon China their greed for open trade with the Chinese empire resulting in the deterioration of the Chinese culture, which led to the emergence of a modernized civilization. Japan was co-subjugated by Russia and the United States so that the trade routes of these western countries could extend into the east, which resulted in the foundation of industrialization in Modern East Asia. Finally, the spread of western Christianity and influential neighbors, namely China and Japan, culturally influenced Korea while bringing some semblance of unification.

    Read More

  • Similarities and Difference of Japan and Western Europe

    1882 Words  | 4 Pages

    Each strove to maintain a centralized government. For Japan the leader was to be called an emperor or empress who could only be a part of the royal family if they were related to the Shinto sun goddess. As for Europe, the leader was to be called a king or a queen. Like Japan, not just anybody could become royalty. Kings and queens came from a long descent of an Imperial family. Tradition was that the first born son of the king would become the next ruler following the kings death. However, if no legitimate son were born then the daughter would become queen. In Europe, the royal family and institution was usually called the Monarchy. Usually in both Japan and throughout Europe communism was a result of the selfish rulers who monopolized businesses and standardized the feudal system, which restricted the poor from ever becoming wealthy.

    Read More

  • Manhattan Project Essay

    1419 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...that used latest of technology. They made Japan a major trade area so they could have access to other goods.

    Read More

  • Japan and Foreign Influence

    1445 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout the course of East Asian history, Japan has been largely influenced by the Asian mainland. From ancient times to the medieval period, significant contributions to Japan can be seen coming from both Korea and China. Both of these countries diffused elements of their cultures to form the basis of Japanese society – namely China. These foreigners would influence various aspects of society including technology, philosophy, politics, and religion.

    Read More

  • Japan's Period Of Isolation

    930 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Japanese started to resist external influences in 1623, when they were under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate. It occurred during the Edo Era (1603-1868) and was known as Japan’s period of Isolation, or Sakoku. Before Sakoku had begun, Japan was open to foreign trading, which introduced to their country: machinery, industrial techniques and products (e.g. silk), especially from the western culture. It was because of this that the Shogun was reluctant to expose the Japanese to western ideas. He was also unwilling to risk the chance of the merchants’ rank rising in society, hence began the period of isolation.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between China And Japanese Imperialism

    642 Words  | 2 Pages

    Leading up to the First World War, Japan began pursuing modernization and imperialism. Before the wars however, Japan was isolationist for much the same reason China was isolationist. Both China and Japan viewed themselves as superior to other countries but acted differently on this idea. China was focused on defense while Japan began to plan for world conquest. Arguably while China was focused on self-stabilization, Japan was focused on projecting their imperialism towards the rest of Asia. This lead to the invasion of the North Easter Chinses province of Manchuria in September 1931 which was occupied by Japan until the end of the Second World War. The invasion was the first step of Japan’s plan to conquer China and ultimately the world. The Japanese planned to take Manchuria for its resources to build its army then attack each province

    Read More

  • Japaneses Colonialism in Malaysia

    1174 Words  | 3 Pages

    Japan was a great force in Eastern Asia between 19th and 20th centuries and it has much influence areas that spread year by year.

    Read More

  • Japan And China In The 21st Century Essay

    1922 Words  | 4 Pages

    The 21st Century has witnessed Asia’s rapid ascent to economic prosperity. As economic gravity shifts from the Western world to the Asian region, the “tyranny of distance [between states, will be] … replaced by the prospects of proximity” in transnational economic, scientific, political, technological, and social develop relationships (Australian Government, 1). Japan and China are the region’s key business exchange partners. Therefore these countries are under obligation to steer the region through the Asian Century by committing to these relationships and as a result create business networks, boost economic performance, and consequently necessitate the adjustment of business processes and resources in order to accommodate each country’s employment relations model (Wiley, Wilkinson, & Young, 2005). Cognizant of the fact that neither Japan nor China has given up on its external (protectionism or parity) adjustment tools, it is posited that they can nonetheless coexist since both “produce different things and in different ways” and as such avoid the cited perilous US and Mexico competition; but due to globalization, the operating environment portends a convergence or divergence of Industrial Relation (ER) strategies between China and Japan (Lipietz, 1997; Zhu & Warner, 2004).

    Read More

  • Japan and Japanese Culture

    1178 Words  | 3 Pages

    Japan is a large island off to the east of China it is a great country that has a rich culture. The Japanese religion is based off of two main beliefs, the belief in Shinto and Buddhism many Japanese people believe consider themselves both. The Japanese people were known to be around as early as 4,500 B.C. They have constructed their government style to a constitutional monarchy where they do in fact have an emperor, but he has limited power within the country. The main power of the country is held by the Prime Minister of Japan. Japan is made up of many islands that extend along the Pacific coast of Asia. The land area is made up of a lot of forest and mountainous area that cannot be used for agricultural, industrial or residential use. Japan also has one of the largest and growing economies in the world. They are growing every day and it is all because the people of Japan work very hard in order for their economy to flourish as it has.

    Read More

More about Essay On European Influence On Japan And China

Open Document