HIS103Y1 Lecture 17: Gunboat Diplomacy in Japan and Opium Wars in China
Japan joins international system as colonial / imperial power
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Period of state making, state strengthening
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Changes within states that cause them to adapt, grow stronger
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Causes are often external
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International Trade
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Imperialism
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Foreign intervention
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3 Key themes in Asia
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British Colonial interests / activity shift to Asia after Britain
leaves U.S.A.
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American Empire expands West, gains foothold on Pacific -->
also looking at Asia
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USA develops merchant marine and navy capable of sailing on
high seas
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(1) great power gains legal privileges for its citizens in a
foreign land
▪
(2) great power compels foreign territory to participate in
regime of free trade - must and will occur without tariffs /
duties
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(3) implicit threat of force to ensure
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Informal empire :
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Formal empire : carving out territory and declaring it for your
state
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Brought in to informal empire and effects on states
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Neither China / Japan become formal colonies, but join informal
empires
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Background
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1760s : British become dominant power in India as
result of 7 Years War
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East India Company produces large amount of
opium --> needs a market
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China is close, ideal market, but Chinese have limited
trade with Europeans - only been allowed to set up
warehouses and set up one port, specific access
(Canton System)
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Europeans have desire for Chinese product - silk, tea,
porcelain
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Europeans could get products they wanted from
Chinese, but were paying with money, wanted instead
to exchange goods
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Why not trade opium for products? - perfect solution
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Opium was prohibited in China, but still popular -
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Background
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First Opium War 1839-1842 in China
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4 key Events
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Gunboat Diplomacy in Japan and Opium
Wars in China
January 23, 2017
7:35 PM
LECTURE Page 83
Opium was prohibited in China, but still popular -
Black Market Economy
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Knew that it would be a detriment to society
1830s Major crackdown on foreign opium
smuggling into China
Halt all foreign trade, until Europeans produce
opium they were hiding, is burnt publicly - 3
million lbs
Chinese Government decides to maintain ban on
opium, and to enforce ban, eradicate drug
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British provoked : wishes denied, challenge from
China --> attack
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Lasts for 3 years
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Chinese are easily defeated
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War - 1839
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Change China's status
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Foreigners in China no longer subject to Chinese law
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Broke Canton system by opening 5 new ports
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Ended Chinese right to impose tariffs on imports
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Hong Kong colonized by British
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Chinese forced to repay price of opium burnt in 1839
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Christian missionaries could now enter more of China
than before
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China is losing control of its territory - certain
prerogatives of a state
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Opium trade remains illegal
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Treaties Signed at End of War - 'Unequal treaties'
▪
Whale bone similar to plastic - corsets,
hoop skirts
Make candles
Whale oil used as lubricant for
machinery
Americans make up majority of whaling
industry - market for whale products is global
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Whaling
Large numbers
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Not very successful
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Focused on Asia - new opportunity for
Christianity
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Protected Hawaiians from whalers
Tyler Doctrine - essentially claim Hawaii
Welcomed in Hawaii
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American missionaries
Markets can be found in pacific?
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Trade and commerce
American expansion into Pacific
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Since 1638, Japan had allowed no trade with
broader world except one annual visit by
Dutch ship
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Cut self off from rest of world
Japan
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Background
▪
'Opening' of Japan 1853-4
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LECTURE Page 84
Document Summary
Japan joins international system as colonial / imperial power. Changes within states that cause them to adapt, grow stronger. British colonial interests / activity shift to asia after britain leaves u. s. a. American empire expands west, gains foothold on pacific --> also looking at asia. Usa develops merchant marine and navy capable of sailing on high seas. Formal empire : carving out territory and declaring it for your state. Neither china / japan become formal colonies, but join informal empires. Brought in to informal empire and effects on states. 1760s : british become dominant power in india as result of 7 years war. East india company produces large amount of opium --> needs a market. China is close, ideal market, but chinese have limited trade with europeans - only been allowed to set up warehouses and set up one port, specific access (canton system) Europeans have desire for chinese product - silk, tea, porcelain.
