“INFORMAL ” IMPERIALISM

1. “INFORMAL” IMPERIALISM

2. INTRODUCTION Even in areas where European powers did not establish direct rule, they often dominated an area’s economy In China, European powers faced a different situation than India or Africa. For thousands of years, China had been isolated from the rest of the world By the 1830s, China lacked the military technology it needed to oppose Western imperialism

3. THE EUROPEAN POWERS IN CHINA • Western nations were interested in China because • its huge population offered potential markets • It also had valuable raw materials • Produced goods wanted by Europeans • In China, local rulers remained in power but became subject to foreign pressure

4. THE OPIUM WARS (1839-1842) Great Britain sold opium in China to get money to buy tea China wanted to stop this (sentenced Chinese opium dealers to death) British declared war, defeated China, and forced them to continue opium sales This damaged the Chinese economy and created chaos and political instability British established areas under their exclusive economic control – “spheres of influence”

5. REBELLIONS IN CHINA • TAIPING REBELLION (1850-1864) • Millions of Chinese were killed when China’s rulers put down the revolt with European help • BOXER REBELLION (1899-1900) • A Chinese group calling themselves the “Boxers”, rebelled against the spread of foreign influence • Partial cause was America’s “Open Door” policy proposing equal trading rights for all nations in China • Hundred of foreigners in Chinese cities were killed during riots • The rebellion was crushed by an international force of foreign powers (U.S. ships played an important role)

6. AMERICAN POLICY TOWARD CHINA The U.S. wanted to preserve China as an independent country Prevented European powers from further dividing up China and kept it “open” to trade with all nations

7. OPENING OF JAPAN • Japan’s rulers had cut it off from European trade in 1639 (Japanese citizens were forbidden to travel to other countries and foreigners were banned from Japan – except for one Dutch outpost) • In 1853, the U.S. government sent a naval squadron to Japan led by Commodore Matthew Perry • Wanted new markets • Sought to establish a port • Wanted better treatment for shipwrecked sailors • Fearing the example of what happened in China, Japan agreed, and soon opened doors to trade with other countries.

8. THE MEIJI RESTORATION (1868-1912) • Japan’s Shogun (ruler), was criticized by the samurai and daimyos (nobles) for opening Japan to the West • The Shogunate collapsed and the emperor was restored to power • Emperor Meiji was convinced that Japan had to adopt Western ways if it were to escape domination by Western powers • Built steamboats and railroads • Adopted a new constitution • 1st non-Western country to successfully copy and adopt Western ways

9. LATIN AMERICA • Spanish-American War – Americans sympathized with Cuba in its move to break from Spain. • USS MAINE was blown up in Havana harbor (killed 250 sailors) • America got first colonies (Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines) • Mexico, Central and South America became dependent on Britain and U.S. for trade and economic prosperity (Caudillos helped keep order) • Panama Canal opened in 1914 under U.S. control • On the basis of the Monroe Doctrine, the U.S. repeatedly sent armed forces to intervene in Latin American conflicts