The Effects of Western Imperialism on China and Japan

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The Effects of Western Imperialism on China and Japan

China and Japan had very different experiences with Western Imperialism .

Their reactions to western interference would lay a foundation for their destiny

in a world that was rapidly progressing forward , leaving the traditional world

behind .

China viewed themselves as totally self sufficient , superior , and the

only truly civilized land in a barbarous world. They were inward looking and

were encouraged by the conservative Confucianistic beliefs of their emperors to

cling to the ancient and traditional ways of the past . They slid rapidly behind

in industrial development , refusing to acknowledge the need for shipbuilding or

naval development , and saw no importance in European trade .

Then in the 1800's , Europe thrust its way into the heart of the Middle

Kingdom, shattering and destroying its isolation forever. China would then be

involved in four wars during the nineteenth century ; Britain's opium war (1839-

1842), a second war (1856-1860) fought by British and French , the Sino-Japanese

war (1894-1895) , and a final western invasion involving British , French ,

German , Japanese and U.S troops (1899-1900). Chinese Emperors were compelled to

sign unequal treaties and were forced to open a number of ports , as well as

agree to other territorial concessions . China was also forced to open its

seacoasts and its rivers to Western intruders . The Europeans also exploited

China's land...

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