Free Essay

Japan and China's Reaction Towards Western Culture

In:

Submitted By kakocaceres
Words 446
Pages 2
Joaquin Caceres
AP WORLD HISTORY ESSAY: Japan & China Between the years 1750 and 1900, China and Japan had different reactions towards the influence of western culture. Both nations had movements that incorporated Western influence and had opened a few ports in order to establish a trading connection with the western economies. However, Japan avoided a military conflict and remained powerful while China didn’t accept Western influence causing a western revolution. Also, China refused to introduce foreign influence which led to many revolts and wars while Japan continued accepting this influence. Both China and Japan had movements that introduced western ideas. In Japan, the Meji restoration was based on a German model with a democratic constitution. Some of these influences were seen in their army that incorporated western technology and in the businessmen that started to use western methods. In China during the self-strengthening movement the western influence had an impact on their society. They incorporated railroads, small scale industries, arsenal factories and they improved structure in many fields. Both nations opened ports for western trade. Japan at first had a limited interaction with western people by establishing just one port for trading. Later on the Japanese government realized that this wasn’t a smart move for their economy since trade was extremely important. The Canton System was the base on which the Chinese relied on. They set strict restrictions on foreign traders and harsh limits on the exportation and importation business. In the other hand, Japan avoided a military conflict and remained powerful while China didn’t accept Western influence causing struggle among their economy and society. Japan developed western ideas and became an industrial leader. China lost a lot of power due to several rebellions that were caused by the not acceptance of western influence. The illegal import of opium led to the Opium War which caused the economy to decline. Also, the Taiping and the Boxer rebellions made China loose territory. Also, Japan continued accepting the Western Influence, while China refused to introduce these ideas. The Meiji oligarchs in Japan, were willing to change their institutions in order to help transform their country into a world class industrial and military power. In China there wasn’t any government support to the importation of western ideas and technology during the self-strengthening movement. Within the years 1750 and 1900, China and Japan had movements that introduced Western ideas and had established few ports for Western trade. However, Japan avoided a military conflict and remained powerful while China didn’t accept Western influence causing a western revolution. Also, China refused to introduce foreign influence which led to many revolts and wars while Japan continued accepting this influence.

Similar Documents

Free Essay

How Peaceful Is China’s Peaceful Rise?

...HOW PEACEFUL IS CHINA’S PEACEFUL RISE? 16 July 2014 at 17:01 HOW PEACEFUL IS CHINA’S PEACEFUL RISE? The People’s Republic of China has been taking great pains to point out to its neighbours specifically, and the world in general, that they have nothing to fear of its increasing power. This approach is epitomised by China’s emphasis on the term ‘peaceful rise’ to describe its expanding influence since 2004. Not only is ‘peaceful rise’ used to allay concerns that China will use its power to further its goals at the expense of other nations, it is also used to directly contrast the PRC with the United States who have been embroiled in the same period in the controversial War on Terror. Given the prominence of the claim of the claim it is clearly in the interests of understanding international and regional developments that we pose the question “How peaceful is China’s peaceful rise?” As this essay will show, in light of the PRC’s domestic aims and because of China’s historical and cultural experiences, any attempt to answer question is contradictory, and depends on the region. The question of China’s contradictory peaceful rise is explained most completely by the theory of neoclassical realism. Neoclassical realism argues that it is the aim of states to gain power to pursue what they deem is in their national interests. It breaks down the state’s efforts in that respect into two spheres, the internal and the external. The external sphere is similar to other theories of...

Words: 3553 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

Causes The Boxer Rebellion

...The Boxer rebellion is one of the most famous wars in Chinese history. It took place in the 1900s, when China had lost several wars against foreign countries and Japan, they threatened the Qing dynasty to sign several unfair treaties, such as extraterritorial rights and immunities from the Qing dynasty’s law. China was just like nonexistent country because foreign countries were each ruling different parts of China. At the fall of the Qing dynasty, a long drought followed by several floods and aggression by foreign countries [History.com Staff. 2009]. People were suffering from hunger, unfair rights and poverty. As a result, there was hatred and xenophobic reactions among the Chinese. Qing Empress Dowager Cixi declared a war on 8 nations. [History.com...

Words: 1831 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

China Fragile Superpower

...New Delhi Shanghai Taipei Toronto With offices in Argentina Austria Brazil Chile Czech Republic France Greece Guatemala Hungary Italy Japan Poland Portugal Singapore South Korea Switzerland Thailand Turkey Ukraine Vietnam Copyright © 2007 by Susan L. Shirk Published by Oxford University Press, Inc. 198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 www.oup.com Oxford is a registered trademark of Oxford University Press All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of Oxford University Press. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Shirk, Susan L. China: fragile superpower / by Susan L. Shirk. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-19-530609-5 1. Nationalism—China. 2. China—Politics and government—2002– I. Title. JC311.S525 2007 320.951—dc22 2006027998 135798642 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper For Sam, Lucy, and David Popkin This page intentionally left blank Contents Acknowledgments ix 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Strong Abroad but Fragile at Home China’s Economic Miracle Domestic Threats 35 13 The Echo Chamber of Nationalism: Media and the Internet 79 The Responsible Power 105 Japan: “When the Chinese People Get Angry, the Result Is Always Big Trouble” 140 Taiwan: “A Question of Regime Survival” 181 The United States:...

Words: 135807 - Pages: 544

Premium Essay

Fortune 500 Companies Nose-Dive in the Chinese Market

...all failed in the Chinese market. External forces such as competitors and sociocultural effect the companies’ ability to overturn a profit resulting in a complete withdraw. The ideal profitability of China’s market has shown resistance to standardized companies. The unwillingness to adapt and conform to consumers and the lack of preparation on all three companies serves as a lessons learned and displays the true setback of standardizing a product vs. adapt or formulate a new. Fortune 500 Companies Nose-Dive in the Chinese Market China’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and its economy have changed dramatically since the 1980’s. Revolution was widely due to the reform era lead by Deng Xiaoping. During the early 1980’s FDI was restricted to a small number of markets in certain regions. FDI policies evolved with time in the mid 1990’s and in the millennium, government policies relaxed and unified with domestic companies. Foreign companies are enticed into the Chinese market by its rising gross domestic product (GDP), favorable foreign exchange regulations, licensing requirements, tariffs, and taxes (Hale & Long, 2012, p. 2) Many U.S born businesses hop on the bandwagon in globalizing in economically stable countries. Hamlin & Li (2010) stated, “In 2010, China surpassed Japan and became the second- largest economy in the world “(as cited in Gio, 2013, p. 174). Torres (2011) further states, “China is projected to surpass the U.S economy and become the largest economy by 2030”...

Words: 1923 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

The End of the World as I See It

...memories, China’s booming economy, its open-door policy, and big social reforms began taking places as it leaped into the 2000 millennial. All these changes lead to a more vivid and intermixing culture where novel lifestyle, alternative thoughts, and "non-traditional" religions like Christianity can thrive. I was lucky to be standing at the crossroad where China started to embrace different cultures and various religions. Thanks to the opened-up culture atmosphere, I was exposed to the clash of cultures between western ideology and traditional Confucianism thoughts. The word “apocalypse” was not even in my dictionary previously until Hollywood introduced it to me in the most dramatic ways I could possibly imagine, and ever since my speculation of the Apocalypse never stopped evolving. From more unrealistic predictions involving in zombies, Godzilla, and DNA-modified prehistoric killer dinosaurs, to more practical speculations like nuclear war and ozone depletion, I was constantly updating my Apocalypse view. With my increasing understanding of the mechanism of how the world functions as a whole, I realized that a global hot war is imminently possible since politics can exert a strong influence on the global situation. In a sense, the transformation China experienced was a direct result from the power of politics. In this essay, I will establish the following hypothesis: The world is going to end with a global political meltdown resulting from a dramatic chain reaction initiated...

Words: 3109 - Pages: 13

Free Essay

Rise of China Economy

...Foreign Policy Research Institute FOOTNOTES Vol. 16, No. 06 The Newsletter of FPRI’s Wachman Center June 2011 THE RISE OF CHINA’S ECONOMY By Thomas G. Rawski Thomas G. Rawski, Professor of Economics and History, joined the University of Pittsburgh's faculty in 1985 after fourteen years at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on the nature and implications of recent developments and long-term changes in the economy of China. He delivered this paper at A History Institute for Teachers, March 19–20, 2011 on “China and India: Ancient Civilizations, Rising Powers, Giant Societies, and Contrasting Models of Development,” held at the University of Pennsylvania. This History Institute was co-sponsored by The Foreign Policy Research Institute’s Wachman Center as well as by three centers at the University of Pennsylvania – Center for East Asian Studies, South Asia Center, and Penn Lauder CIBER (Center for International Business Education and Research). 1 China’s remarkable economic boom, now in its fourth decade, has spawned numerous discussions of “China’s Rise.”2 Beijing’s self-congratulatory slogan “China’s peaceful rise” has advanced this theme. From a historical perspective, however, this terminology seems misplaced. Both the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) empires occupied key positions in Asian trade and diplomacy. Crude figures compiled by Angus Maddison, author of several sweeping studies of global economic history, show China contributing nearly one-third...

Words: 4916 - Pages: 20

Premium Essay

Maritime Power of Chaina

...examine how and why a continental-oriented China has shifted its maritime strategic orientation and naval force structure from its coast toward the far seas in an era of interdependent international system. Generally, China is an ancient continental land power with an incomplete oceanic awareness. With the transformation after the Cold War of China’s grand strategy from landward security to seaward security, maritime security interests have gradually become the most essential part of China’s strategic rationale. Undoubtedly, the quest for sea power and sea rights has become Beijing’s main maritime strategic issue. Given China’s escalating maritime politico-economic-military leverage in the Asia-Pacific region, its desire to become a leading sea power embodying global strategic thinking means that it must expand its maritime strategy by developing its navy and preparing for armed confrontation in terms of international relations realism. Conversely, Beijing’s maritime policy leads at the same time towards globalization, which involves multilateralism and strategic coexistence of a more pragmatic kind. This research analyses Chinese maritime strategy in the Asia-Pacific by asking: ‘Whither the Chinese maritime strategy in the ever changing Asia-Pacific security environment since the PRC was established in 1949?’ In general, contemporary China’s national security strategy is closely connected with its maritime strategy and with its comprehensive security plan for its economy, its...

Words: 115996 - Pages: 464

Premium Essay

How China Rises

...How China rises What lessons can be drawn from China's spectacular and sustained economic growth? As Hu Jintau remarked at the 17th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, the period since the previous Congress five years ago has been extraordinary. China's economic achievements have been arousing not only astonishment and admiration but also some anxiety. In the past twelve months alone, The People's Republic of China (PRC) has overtaken Canada as the biggest source of imports to the USA, and overtaken the USA as the biggest source of imports to the European Union. Concern about the low level of investment in Africa has been displaced by concern about the effects of the high level of Chinese investment in Africa; there is now even anxiety about the effects of investment by Chinese state-owned firms into the Western economies. The Chinese Communist Party is also expressing concerns. The themes of its 2007 Congress included protection of the environment and the achievement of social harmony. According to some estimates, China has displaced the USA as the world's biggest source of greenhouse gases. Inequality is rising as fast as pollution: China now has over 800 individuals with a personal wealth of more than a hundred million US dollars each, up from 500 in 2006; while the average income in rural areas of China is 480 dollars per year. Made in China. Hu Jintau's remark on the extraordinary nature of the most recent years can be faulted in only one sense: China has...

Words: 51278 - Pages: 206

Premium Essay

The Boxer Uprising

...The Boxer Uprising (1898-1901), also known as ‘Yi Ho Tuan’ Movement, was a major peasant uprising marked by anti-Manchu and anti-foreign sentiments. In the period after the Opium Wars, the nature of Sino-Western relations had changed, leading to a scramble for concessions. This had exposed the inefficacy of the Manchus. Simultaneously, it had intensified the socio-economic crisis already prevalent in the 19th century. This essay attempts to analyze the causes, nature and impact of the Boxer Movement. Causes 1. A study of the traditional Chinese society and economy is imperative to trace the origins of the Uprising. The Chinese society was strictly compartmentalized by the principles of Confucianism. The society was highly stratified and had a rigid and inflexible hierarchical structure. A unique combination of power, wealth and knowledge defined the gentry or the elite class. The peasantry was the ‘exploited’ class, the taxpayers, who despite the theoretical emphasis on ‘career open to merit’ could rarely attain gentry status. The growing tax burden and exploitation caused discontent among them and though they remained placid, the simmering of discontent was always there. However, peasant uprisings, though a frequent occurrence, were spontaneous and scattered and so easy to suppress. The growing unrest culminated into agitation, and found expression in the Boxer Movement. 2. A series of natural calamities in the late 19th century intensified the discontent...

Words: 4759 - Pages: 20

Premium Essay

Cultural Intelligence

...2010 Chen and Miller 17 E X C H A N G E West Meets East: Toward an Ambicultural Approach to Management By Ming-Jer Chen and Danny Miller Executive Overview In the aftermath of the recent economic crisis, the world is looking for fresh ideas and new perspectives. Business reality has transformed from “West leads East” to “West meets East.” A thriving Chinese business culture represents not only a source of economic partnership but a potential fount of managerial wisdom that can help renew Western economies. Unfortunately, the cultural distance between East and West makes Chinese examples too different, and at times inappropriate, for Western firms to emulate. Outstanding entrepreneurs such as Stan Shih, who have taken the best managerial practices from the East and the West while avoiding the shortcomings, represent ideal “intermediate” role models. By employing such an “ambicultural” approach to management, Shih provides a model for both bridging cultures and instructing organizations in the East and West. In this essay, we discuss these linkages and some of the useful lessons for managers from both cultures. Indeed, “Chinese” as a way of thinking, with its emphasis on balance and self-other integration, offers the promise to bridge global divides and facilitate the formation of global-minded executives. T he global economic crisis has destroyed vast amounts of wealth— both public and private— and eliminated tens of millions of jobs...

Words: 5093 - Pages: 21

Free Essay

Us China Relationship

...great nations, 5000 years back the Mesopotamian,Egyptian and Indus Valley Civilization were the super-powers,if not the only advanced civilization of their time,2000 years back we had the roman empire and the chineese,500 years back the mughal empire,the ottoman empire etc. The world order keeps on changing, the end of the first world war saw the rise of America along the ranks of other European superpowers like the British Empire,France and Germany and saw the fall of 2 superpowers,the ottoman and the Austria-hungry empire. The second world war ushered the modern world into a new world order. The United Nations was born and its membership suddenly grew. The United States brought about reconstruction of the war torn economies of Europe and Japan and ensured stable democracies for her new allies,now only two superpowers called the shots,the world was divided into two ideological camps,the first led by America,countries which followed the free market system and liberal democracies and believed in open markets and international were part of this group of nations. The other faction was led by the Soviet Union it included states like East Germany,Poland,China and North Korea, this...

Words: 8393 - Pages: 34

Free Essay

China in Africa

...... 2 Main part ................................................................................................................................................. 2 Background and context ..................................................................................................................... 2 China’s approach on getting closer with Africa ................................................................................... 2 Facts and figures.................................................................................................................................. 3 Other interests .................................................................................................................................... 3 China vs. the West ............................................................................................................................... 3 Chinese emigration and its impact ...................................................................................................... 4 Africa’s relation with China ................................................................................................................. 5 The West’s reaction............................................................................................................................. 7 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 8 Introduction Over...

Words: 4495 - Pages: 18

Premium Essay

The Clash of Civilizations?

...likely to be in the coming years. It is my hypothesis that the fundamental source of conflict in this new world will not be primarily ideological or primarily economic. The great divisions among humankind and the dominating source of conflict will be cultural. Nation states will remain the most powerful actors in world affairs, but the principal conflicts of global politics will occur between nations and groups of different civilizations. The clash of civilizations will be the battle lines of the future. Conflict between civilizations will be the latest phase of the evolution of conflict in the modern world. For a century and a half after the emergence of the modern international system of the Peace of Westphalia, the conflicts of the Western world were largely among princes -- emperors, absolute monarchs and constitutional monarchs attempting to expand their bureaucracies, their armies, their mercantilist economic strength and, most important, the territory they ruled. In the process they created nation states, and beginning with the French...

Words: 9742 - Pages: 39

Premium Essay

China

...People Nationality: Noun and adjective--Chinese (singular and plural). Population (July 2011 est.): 1,336,718,015. Population growth rate (2011 est.): 0.593%. Health (2010 est.): Infant mortality rate--16.06 deaths/1,000 live births. Life expectancy--74.68 years (overall); 72.68 years for males, 76.94 years for females. Ethnic groups (2000 census): Han Chinese 91.5%; Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uighur, Tujia, Yi, Mongol, Tibetan, Buyi, Dong, Yao, Korean, and other nationalities 8.5%. Religions (2002 est.): Officially atheist; Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian, Muslim. Language: Official--Mandarin (Putonghua); there also are many local dialects. Education: Years compulsory--9. Literacy--92.2%. Total labor force (2010 est.): 780 million. Labor force by occupation (2008 est.): Primary (agriculture)--297.08 million, 38.1%; secondary (industrial)--216.84 million, 27.8%; tertiary (services)--266.03 million, 34.1%. Government Type: Communist party-led state. Constitution: December 4, 1982; revised several times, most recently in 2004. Independence: Unification under the Qin (Ch'in) Dynasty 221 BC; Qing (Ch'ing or Manchu) Dynasty replaced by a republic on February 12, 1912; People's Republic established October 1, 1949. Branches: Executive--president, vice president, State Council, premier. Legislative--unicameral National People's Congress. Judicial--Supreme People's Court, Local People's Courts, Special People's Courts. Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (the...

Words: 4275 - Pages: 18

Premium Essay

Chinese History

...Thought q The Imperial Era r r r r r r First Imperial Period Era of Disunity Restoration of Empire Mongolian Interlude Chinese Regain Power Rise of the Manchus q Emergence Of Modern China r r r r r r Western Powers Arrive First Modern Period Opium War, 1839-42 Era of Disunity Taiping Rebellion, 1851-64 Self-Strengthening Movement Hundred Days' Reform and Aftermath Republican Revolution of 1911 q Republican China r r r Nationalism and Communism s Opposing the Warlords s Consolidation under the Guomindang s Rise of the Communists Anti-Japanese War Return to Civil War q People's Republic Of China r r Transition to Socialism, 1953-57 Great Leap Forward, 1958-60 r r r r r Readjustment and Recovery, 1961-65 Cultural Revolution Decade, 1966-76 s Militant Phase, 1966-68 s Ninth National Party Congress to the Demise of Lin Biao, 1969-71 s End of the Era of Mao Zedong, 1972-76 Post-Mao Period, 1976-78 China and the Four Modernizations, 1979-82 Reforms, 1980-88 q References for History of China [ History of China ] [ Timeline ] Historical Setting The History Of China, as documented in ancient writings, dates back some 3,300 years. Modern archaeological studies provide evidence of still more ancient origins in a culture that flourished between 2500 and 2000 B.C. in what is now central China and the lower Huang He ( orYellow River) Valley of north China. Centuries of migration, amalgamation, and development brought about a distinctive...

Words: 41805 - Pages: 168