Question 1

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
the Macartney mission

Accepted Answer

The Macartney Mission refers to the British diplomatic mission led by George Macartney, dispatched by King George III to China in 1792. The mission's goal was to open new ports for British trade in China, secure a permanent embassy, and gain acceptance for British manufactured goods. At the time, China was under the rule of the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, and it was largely self-sufficient and resistant to foreign influence.

Upon arrival in 1793, Macartney requested to present his credentials and gifts directly to the Emperor. The mission is famous for Macartney's refusal to perform the traditional kowtow, a prostration ritual involving kneeling and bowing to the ground, which was required as a sign of respect when in the presence of the Chinese Emperor. Macartney agreed only to bow as he would to his own sovereign, arguing for equal diplomatic footing.

The mission ultimately failed to achieve its main objectives. The Qianlong Emperor was unimpressed by the British gifts and technological displays, and he issued the famous "Qianlong Letter" to King George III, which stated that China had no need for British goods and that the existing trading arrangements through the Canton System were sufficient.

The Macartney Mission is significant as it highlighted the vast cultural and political differences between the East and West at the time and set the stage for future interactions between China and European powers. It also foreshadowed the growing tensions that would eventually lead to the Opium Wars in the mid-19th century.

Question 2

What factors in Chinese culture contributed to China's reluctance to industrialize during the nineteenth century?

Accepted Answer

There were several factors in Chinese culture that contributed to China's reluctance to industrialize during the nineteenth century.

Firstly, the traditional Confucian values placed a strong emphasis on agriculture and the land, leading to a preference for a rural, agrarian lifestyle over urban industrialization. This cultural emphasis on agriculture as the foundation of society hindered the development of industrialization.

Secondly, the hierarchical social structure in Chinese society, which was deeply rooted in Confucianism, discouraged innovation and entrepreneurship. The rigid social hierarchy and emphasis on maintaining social harmony meant that individuals were less likely to take risks and pursue new ventures, including industrialization.

Additionally, the Chinese government's policies and regulations also played a role in hindering industrialization. The Qing dynasty, which ruled China during the nineteenth century, implemented policies that favored traditional agricultural practices and limited foreign trade and influence. This protectionist approach further stifled the development of industrialization in China.

Furthermore, the influence of traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy, which emphasized balance and harmony with nature, also contributed to a reluctance to industrialize. The focus on maintaining a harmonious relationship with the natural world led to a reluctance to disrupt the environment through industrialization.

Overall, the combination of traditional Confucian values, social hierarchy, government policies, and cultural attitudes towards nature all contributed to China's reluctance to industrialize during the nineteenth century. These cultural factors created a significant barrier to the adoption of industrialization in China during this period.

Question 3

Was the Opium War a turning point in Chinese history? Why and/or why not?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Opium War was a turning point in Chinese history. The war, which took place from 1839 to 1842, marked the beginning of a series of unequal treaties imposed on China by Western powers. These treaties forced China to open up its ports to foreign trade and grant extraterritorial rights to foreigners, undermining China's sovereignty and leading to a period of humiliation and exploitation known as the "Century of Humiliation."

The Opium War also exposed the weaknesses of the Qing dynasty and highlighted the technological and military superiority of the Western powers. This led to a reevaluation of traditional Chinese beliefs and practices, and sparked a movement for modernization and reform in China.

Furthermore, the Opium War had a profound impact on China's economy, society, and politics. The influx of opium from British-controlled India led to widespread addiction and social problems, while the unequal treaties and foreign concessions undermined the authority of the Qing government and fueled anti-foreign sentiment among the Chinese population.

In conclusion, the Opium War was a turning point in Chinese history because it marked the beginning of China's subjugation to Western imperialism, exposed the weaknesses of the traditional Chinese system, and set the stage for the modernization and reform efforts that followed.

Question 4

Why was Japan more open and pragmatic in its contact with Western nations than China during the nineteenth century?

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Question 5

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
Lin Zexu

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Lin Zexu...

Question 6

How would you appraise the nature of the Meiji Restoration? Was it, on balance, more innovative or more conservative? Why? Was it truly "from above"?

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Question 7

What was the impact of Western ideas on Japanese culture? Give examples. Was this one directional, or did Japan influence Western culture as well? If so, how?

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Question 8

Why was it that Japan, rather than other South Asian, Southeast Asian, or East Asian states, made the successful transition to a modern nation?

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Question 9

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
Qianlong

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Qianlong...

Question 10

How did contact with western cultures and norms affect the roles and position of women in China and Japan? Illustrate your argument with concrete examples.

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Question 11

What possible reasons might explain why there was no equivalent to the Meiji Restoration in China?

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Question 12

What was the significance of the Sino-Japanese War for China? For Japan? Why? Was its impact of lesser or greater importance than the later Russo-Japanese War? Why?

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Question 13

Was the Meiji Restoration truly a "revolution from above"? If so, why? If not, why not?

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Question 14

What were the major reasons for the fall of the Qing Dynasty? Were foreign or domestic factors more important in bringing it about? Why?

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Question 15

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
the Qing/Manchus

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the Qing/Manchus...

Question 16

Sun Yat-sen is often claimed to be the father of modern China. Is this designation accurate? Why and/or why not?

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Question 17

How did the Meiji Restoration change politics in Japan? Did it create a more modern, representative and stable governmental structure in Japan? Why or why not?

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Question 18

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
opium trade and Opium War

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opium trade...

Question 19

Discuss the successes and failures of China's policy of "East for Essence, West for Practical Use." Was it at all comparable to the policies of Japan's Meiji Restoration and its aftermath? Why and/or why not?

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Question 20

At what point did the fall of the Qing/Manchus become inevitable? Why then?

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Quiz 22: Shadows Over the Pacific: East Asia Under Challenge

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). the Macartney mission