Historic Traditions

1. Historic Traditions East Asia

2. East Asia’s Achievements • Of the world’s earliest civilizations (has cities, a central government, workers who do specialized jobs and social classes), only China’s has survived.

3. East Asia’s Achievements • China had little to do with the rest of the world for much of its history. • The Great Wall of China was begun in the 600s B.C. as many small walls between warring states. • Over time it became a symbol of china’s desire to keep the world at a distance • Chinese leaders had such pride that they named their country the Middle Kingdom—to them it was the center of the universe

4. East Asia’s Achievements • The Chinese invented: • Paper • Gunpowder • Silk weaving • Magnetic compass • The spinning wheel • The water wheel • Chinese engineers were experts at digging canals, building dams and bridges, and setting up irrigation systems

5. East Asia’s Achievements • To irrigate means to supply dry land with water by using ditches or canals. • Chinese scientists made major discoveries in mathematics and medicine. • Starting in ancient times China was governed by an emperor ( a ruler of widespread lands and groups of people). • A dynasty is a series of rulers from the same family

6. East Asia’s Achievements • Chinese History is described by dynasties

7. Korea and China • Korea’s original settlers came from north-central Asia • Korean history is closely tied to China • Some Chinese moved to the Korean Peninsula • Later other Chinese settled in the southern part of the peninsula. • These migrations led to a transfer of Chinese people from one country or region to another to make a new home.

8. Korea and China • Migration is a movement of people from one country or region to another to make a new home. • The peninsula was not unified until the Silla people gained control

9. Years of Japanese Isolation • Clans—groups of families who claimed a common ancestor • For much of Japan’s history, clans fought each other for land and power • 500 A.D., claiming descent from the sun, one clan, the Yamato became powerful • Yamato leaders took the title of emperor. • Many emperors sat on Japan’s throne. • For a long time they had little power. • Shoguns—”emperor’s generals,” made the laws • Warrior nobles, the samurai enforced the laws

10. Years of Japanese Isolation • Together, the shoguns and samurai ruled Japan for more than 700 years • At first, the Japanese favored trade with their East Asian neighbors. • This did not last long • Japanese leaders came to believe that isolation, or separation, was the best way to keep the country united. • Japan was isolated from the outside world from 1640 to 1853

11. Years of Japanese Isolation • Although Japanese culture grew, the rest of the world knew little about it until Japan became interested in Western inventions Japan finally was forced to trade with the West in the 1800s

12. The Spread of Culture • In ancient times, China was far ahead of the rest of the world in inventions and discoveries • It is not surprising that many Chinese discoveries spread to Korea and Japan. • Cultural diffusion—spreading of ideas • Cultural diffusion happened early in China

13. Years of Japanese Isolation • The teachings of Confucius were among the first ideas to be passed along • The religion of Buddhism, which China had adopted from India, later spread to Korea and Japan. • Cultural diffusion also occurred between other lands, but it was not always friendly.

14. Years of Japanese Isolation • Korean pottery so impressed the Japanese that they captured villages of potters and took them to Japan after an invasion in 1598 • East Asian culture owes much to the early exchanges among China, Japan, and Korea. • In each case the countries changed what they borrowed until the tradition became their own.

15. Westerners in East Asia • The world was interested in E. Asia. • Marco Polo, an Italian merchant, is believed to have visited China in the 1200s. When he returned to Italy, he told people about China • He told tales about people burning black rocks (coal) to heat their homes • His stories excited the imaginations and the greed of European monarchs and merchants.

16. The Opening of E. Asia • In spite of the efforts of China and Japan to remain isolated, Western nations could not be kept away • 1800s, Europeans and Americans began to produce great amounts of manufactured goods • East Asia seemed to be a good place to sell these products. • Western trading ships began to sail to Asian Ports

17. The Opening of E. Asia • 1853, US Commodore Matthew Perry sailed with four warships to Japn to forc it to grant trading rights to the US. • In a few years, the Japanese learned more about Western ways and inventions. • They adapted what was useful to them, while preserving their own culture. • Japan soon became the strongest nation in Asia.

18. The Opening of E. Asia • The opening of China to Europe was different • Foreign countries wanted to control parts of China and its wealth. • As foreign powers entered China, it became clear that the country was not strong enough to protect itself. • The British, French, Dutch, Russians, and Japanese gained control

19. The Opening of E. Asia • 1899, The US announced the policy that China should b open for trade with all nations equally. For a while nations halted their efforts to divide up China.

20. New Force in the 20th Century • Chinese blamed the emperor for the growing foreign influence • 1911, revolution broke out in China. The rule of emperors ended, and a republic was set up • Japan was becoming more powerful • Its industry grew • Its leaders sought to control other Asian countries • They wanted to make sure that Japan would have resources to fuel its industries.

21. New Force in the 20th Century • They wanted to make sure that Japan would have resources to fuel its industries • Japanese attacks on other Asian and Pacific lands led to WWII in East Asia. • After years of fighting, the US and its allies defeated Japan. • The US then helped Japan recover and create an elected government

22. New Force in the 20th Century • After WWII, civil war broke out in China b/w two groups. • Nationalists wanted to strengthen China so it could manage its own affairs w/o other nations • Communists wanted to break the power of the landlords and other wealthy people and drive out all foreign influences • The communists won in 1949 and made China a communist nation.

23. New Force in the 20th Century • This means that the government owns large industries, businesses, and most of the country’s land. • After WWII, Korea found itself divided into two parts. • Communists ruled North Korea • South Korea turned to Western nations for support. • 1950, the to Koreas exploded into a bloody civil war

24. New Force in the 20th Century • North Korea invaded South Korea • The US sent 480,000 troops to help South Korea. • The war dragged on for three years, killing abut 37,000 US Soldiers • More than 2 million Korean soldiers and civilians lost their lives • Neither side won

25. New Force in the 20th Century • The battle line at the end of the war, in 1953, remains the border between the two Koreas today.