What difference did China and Japan have in their acceptance of the West?
KEY POINTS across East Asia—by Era1750-1919ChinaIn the 16th century, under the Ming (1368-1644)
In the 18th century under the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), founded by the invading Manchus,
In the 1800s and early 1900s, however, four key issues dominate China's history.
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JapanJapan and the West: The Meiji Restoration (1868-1912)Tokugawa Japan (1600-1868)
Western Intrusion breaking Japan’s Self-imposed Isolation
Meiji Restoration (1868-1912)
Meiji Foreign Policy
KoreaImperialism: Western and Japanese
Vietnam**Since the history of different parts of what we today call “Vietnam,” we are using a chart to convey developments in different regions over time: 1750-1919 Tale of Kieu (epic poem in Chu Nom, Vietnamese characters), written by Nguyen Du (1765-1820) 1771-1802Tay Son Rebellion Tay Son brothers defeat Nguyen and Trinh and unify country 1802-1945, Nguyen dynasty unites entire country• established by Nguyen Anh, a southern prince, who fought and defeated the Tay Son to become the Gia-long Emperor; moved the capital to Hue in the center of the
country. 1862-1945, French control Vietnam, dividing it into three "pays" (countries)Tonkin Annam Cochin-China • Hanoi is capital of French Indochina, including Laos and Cambodia How did Japan differ from China in its response to the West?This essay, therefore, will argue that the main differences in Japan and China's response to the West in the 19th century were that Japan yielded to Western pressure to open to trade while China refused to, and that Japan successfully modernized while China failed to.
What are some differences between China and Japan?While China is one of the largest communist countries in the world, Japan is a – rather open – parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Although both countries have rather strong economies, wealth is divided in an equal manner in Japan, while major gaps between rich and poor remain in China.
How did Japan react to the West?Japan followed the model of Western powers by industrializing and expanding its foreign influence. Reacted by modernizing quickly through the Meiji Restoration to ensure they themselves didn't fall behind the West. More receptive to the demands of Western envoys. Yielded to Western pressure to open to trade.
How did China respond to Western imperialism?Overwhelmed by the Western military response, the Chinese were humiliated by having to pay reparations and allow concessions to the Western powers that effectively denied them control over their own country.
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