Topic 09: Early modernization and imperial decline in East Asia (1860–1912)
This Topic follows on from Topic 7 and provides an interesting comparison between China and Japan and their efforts to deal with Western threats and incursions. While Japan was successful in modernising becoming strong enough to challenge the Western powers, China's attempts at modernisation were largely a failure.
This topic is currently being written (December 2023) and should be finished early in the New Year!
Specifically this topic covers:
- The Tongzhi Restoration and Self-Strengthening Movement (1861–1894) and the roles of Prince Gong and Cixi
- The impact of the Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895);
- Guangxu and the Hundred Days’ Reform (1898)
- The Boxer Rebellion (1900–1901) and the late Qing reforms (1901–1911)
- Sun Yixian and the causes of the 1911 Xinhai Revolution - why it failed
- Meiji Restoration in Japan
- The rise of Japanese military strength in the region; the Sino Japanese War and the 1905 War with Russia
- Korea - Tonghak Rebellion (1894); Japanese annexation (1910)
1. Tongzhi Restoration and Self-Strengthening Movement (1861–1894)
Following the disasters for China of the Opium War, the unequal treaties and the Taiping Rebellion, the Tongzhi Restoration saw an attempt to restore Chinese power through the process of 'Self-strengthening'.
2. Impact of defeat in the Sino-Japanese War
The Sino-Japanese War of 1894–1895 was a conflict between the Qing Dynasty of China and the Empire of Japan over control of Korea and influence in East Asia.
3. Guangxu and the Hundred Days’ Reform (1898)
By the late 19th Century, the case for reform was clear. China had been defeated by France in 1885; even worse, it had been defeated by Japan in 1895 - 96, and the subsequent 'scramble for concessions'...
4. Boxer Rebellion (1900–1901)
After the failure of the Hundred Days' Reform, anti-foreign forces were again in full control of the government. Discontent across the country was growing and Conservative officials now saw the opportunity...
5. The Qing reforms 1901 - 1911
The failure of the Boxer Rebellion and the humiliation of the dynasty made it clear to the Empress Dowager that she would have to accept a measure of reform in order to preserve the dynasty and the period...
6. Sun Yixian and the 1911 Xinhai Revolution
The 1911 Revolution was a pivotal event in Chinese history ending China's last imperial dynasty and setting up a Republic. It is also known as the Xinhai Revolution, after the Chinese calendar year in...
7. Japan: The Meiji Restoration (1868) and constitution (1889)
The Tokugawa Shogunate, also known as the Tokugawa Bakufu controlled Japan between 1603 and 1868. Society was characterised by a strict social order and isolation from the rest of the world. But during...
8. Social, cultural and economic developments in Meiji Japan
The Meiji Restoration was the beginning of Japan's transformation into a modern country. Not only was a new political system created, but, the leaders of Japan were able to fulfill their aims of creating...
9. The rise of Japanese military power
By the end of the 1880s, as the Meiji political order was nearing completion, Japan's leaders started paying serious attention to the international situation. Having secured the revision of the unequal...