Qianlong Edict to George III

Edict Summary (1793)

• The edict from Emperor Qianlong to King George III in 1793 is a famous document in Sino-British relations.
• It responded to the British Macartney Mission, aimed at establishing trade relations.
• China asserted superiority and self-sufficiency, stating no need for British goods.
• Britain's requests to establish an embassy in Beijing and open additional ports were rejected.
• Foreign trade was restricted to Canton (Guangzhou) under strict Chinese regulations.
• China viewed Britain as a tributary state, not an equal power
• The Emperor emphasized the long-standing, well-functioning Chinese system.
• The letter concluded with a polite rejection of further negotiations, urging respect for Chinese customs.

Historical Significance

• The edict reflected China's "Middle Kingdom" worldview, with the Emperor as the ruler of the world.
• Britain viewed this rejection as an obstacle to its ambitions in Asia.
• The refusal to open trade contributed to tensions leading to the Opium Wars (1839-1842, 1856-1860).

###Modernity

• In East Asia modernity occurred in the mid to late 19th century
• This was when they had to deal with Western Imperialism
• When East Asian countries opened to Westernization, they "became" modern.
• This occurred after the "Self Strengthening"

Okakura Kakuzo: Aesthetic and Pan-Asianism

• Okakura Kakuzo, born in 1862, was the son of Echizen Samurai and promoted Japanese art
• He qualified Japan to resist Western military and cultural imperialism.
• Okakura & Fenollosa reacted against the "wholesale" westernization of Japan in the 1870s & 1880s
• With Nationalism rise, Okakura's Japanese cultural superiority served Pan-Asianism, defending Asia against the West.
• His book "Ideals of the East" propagated an Asia myth that meshed with views of Eastern culture with Japan's spiritual nature
• He elevated the status of Japanese art to match that of the nation.
• His book is filled with Japan characterizations that emphasized it's unique superiority

Paris Peace Conference Communication (1919) and Shantung Question

• Letters and telegrams from the Paris Peace Conference Communication (1919) are official and relate to the Shantung Question and the May Fourth Movement.
• China wanted Shantung returned since it was Chinese and China was a belligerent in WW1
• Japan claimed the right to inherit German privileges since it expelled Germany from Shantung.
• Britain & France pledged to support Japan's claims in 1917.
• Japan was granted German rights in Shantung, causing opposition from China.

Chinese Reaction: May Fourth Movement

• Student Protests (May 4, 1919): Massive student demonstrations erupted in Beijing against the decision against Japanese Pro's
• Protesters burned the house of Tsao Ju Lin.
• Public unrest led to national protests, boycotts, and strikes.
• Chinese Students studying abroad condemned Japan's actions.
• The Chihli Citizens' Convention also urged to not sign the treaty, saying it would threaten peace.
• Anglo- American Association in Peking that warned the decision would worsen relations with China and Japan
• The Chinese government's dilemma being the treaty's signing leads to outrage and not signing means being at war with Germany
• China delegated they would not sign the Treaty of Versailles in July 1919
• There were economic and social effects as boycotts targeting Japanese goods continued

Building National Identity

• Involves making people feel like they belong through media and education, as seen with trains in Taiwan

Ideology

• Kim Gu wished for an independent and democratic Korea
• Mao Zedong wanted dictatorship for the people (workers, peasants etc) for a post 1949 China

Marxism Study

• Marxism is a collectivism that focuses on class struggle
• Marxism is a materialistic philosophy that focuses on who it was made for not what product has been made for.
• There are various production elements to consider, such as land, labor, means, products, and capital
• Classes are the sum of production, leading to class structure

###19th Century Imperialism and China

• The 19th century saw the arrival of Western imperialism in East Asia
• Before the arrival of Europeans, East Asian Nations lived in peace with each other
• Opium wars (1839-1842, 1856-1860) resulted in territorial concessions to Britain and Western powers
• The Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864) weakened Qing China.
• China had over 90 treaty ports under foreign control by 1900
• The Anti-Foreign Boxer Rebellion (1898-1900) was crushed by powers and Japan

###19th Century Opening of Korea

• Korea maintained isolationist policies until forced to open ports.
• The Treaty of Ganghwa (1876) made Korea open it's ports, marking Japanese influence start

###Meiji Restoration (1868-1912)

• Commodore Perry's arrival (1853–1854) coerced Japan to open trade
• Under Emperor Meiji Japan modernized quickly, establishing a parliamentary system and building a modern economy

Meiji Revolution Video

• The Meiji Revolution ended the Tokugawa Shogunate and restored imperial rule under Emperor Meiji.
• The Tokugawa Shogunate (1603-1868) was ruled by the Tokugawa family
• Japan had limited contact with the outside world except trade with the Dutch and Chinese, this was known as the Isolation Policy (Sakoku)
• The US under Commodore Perry forced Japan to expose it's ports, which resulted in dissatisfaction with the Shogunates weakness
• The Sonno Joi Movement helped in the overthrow of the Shogun

###Boshin War (1868-1869)

• The civil was fought by the Shogunate's forces and pro-Imperial factions, of which the Shogunates was defeated
• Feudalism was abolished, the samurai lost their privileges and land was redistributed
• Japan adopted Western technology, education, and political systems
• Japan rapidly industrialized, becoming an economic power, and demonstrating military strength in wars; this resulted in social and cultural shifts

Extra Notes

• Exterritoriality is the state of being exempted from the jurisdiction of local law as result of diplomatic negotiations to avoid certain laws

Meji Restoration Japan

• The fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Meiji Restoration in 1868 began Japan's modern transformation.
• Japan was primarily isolated under the shogunate Tokugawa until commodore perry came
• US Commodore Perry's Black Ships in 1853 showed Japan was vulnerable to foreign influence.
• a growing movement sought to overthrow the shogunate and restore power to the emperor and centralize authority

###Under the Meiji Government

• Japan dismantled the feudal system and built the Constitution
• Military conscription and education was implemented as well
• The government had an active role in Industrialization
• Japan shifted from an agrarian society industrial powerhouse
• Expansion was inspired by Western Imperialism, starting with war with imperial China

###Russo and the Emperor

• Japan defeated imperial China after centuries of isolation
• Japan decided to use advantages after a victory with China and wanted to secure it's land against the Russians
• Japan allies had to choose between Japan and Chinese neutrality Russia got the clear threat of this deal
• While Russia's military stagnated, Japanese navy were ready

Challenge of Modernity

• East Asia saw modernization during the 19th and early 20th centuries with Japan adapting and China struggling
• China and Korea wanted sovereignty while Japan and the region saw changing politics

###Meiji Restoration and Modernization

• The Tokugawa Shogunate paved for a modern state
• Japan adopted Western ideas, created a modern military and rapidly industrialized

###Shogunate's Issues

• China's elite feared losing Confucian values
• Japan defeated the Qing Dynasty China ceded Taiwan as a result
• Rebellions called for revolt over losing the country's traditional identities

###Japan' Colonization

• Japan had growing pressure from Japan who attempted the country and Korea over all
• Korea saw political divisions in 1912 after many rebellions
• Japan annexed Korea to Japanese rule

###Sino Japanese and Expansion

• At first the country was more moderate
• Japan wanted domination in early 20th
• Japan took Manchukuo in 1931
• WW1 escalated Japan against china

Japan's Success and Conclusion

• Japan was strong following successful efforts, due to internal conflict
• China and Korea saw struggles with foreign rule and nationalist movements

###Globalization

• Japan, China and Korea saw the wave of globalization and modernization
• America's crash triggered these countries
• Japan expanded and saw growing tension

Japan Ultranationalism

• Political climate was driven by the countries ultranationalism at the time
• Nationalist viewed that western powers were responsible for the critiques
• They wanted survival after conque

Japanese Expansion

• Japan created Manchukuo to show Japan's expansion in China
• Manchuria was staged invasion in by Japan

China

• China fell under nationalist rule but was fragmented
• The economy struggled due to corruption and inefficiency
• Japan and Mao Z were the biggest competition

###Zedongs Rise

• The communist party had its rise
• Mao stood apart from urban work

The War

• There was a full conflict after the conflict had grown
• Even cities had already collapsed
• US and SU came in and provided assistance in doing so

###Japan's Allies

• Extended into Southeast Asia and into conflict w/US