Traditional Society and Western Competition

Abolition of Private Property

The elimination of private ownership of land and resources, proposing that these should be held communally.

Complete Overhaul

A comprehensive and fundamental restructuring of a system or organization to address inefficiencies or weaknesses.

Abolition of Private Property

The elimination of private ownership of land and resources, proposing that these should be held communally.

Complete Overhaul

A comprehensive and fundamental restructuring of a system or organization to address inefficiencies or weaknesses.

Cohong System

A system that regulated trade in China during the Qing dynasty, leading to limited foreign trade, part of the Canton System.

Inalienable Rights

Fundamental rights that cannot be surrendered or taken away, often associated with personal freedom and equality.

Open Door Policy

A diplomatic principle advocating for equal trade opportunities in China for all foreign nations, promoting free trade.

Self-Strengthening Movement

A late 19th-century Chinese movement to modernize military and economic practices while retaining Confucian values.

Taiping Rebellion

A massive civil war in China (1850-1864) led by Hong Xiuquan, aiming to establish a new, more equitable society.

Unequal Treaties

Treaties imposed on China by Western powers that favored the latter and often undermined China's sovereignty and trade rights.

Westernizing Reforms

Changes instituted in societies to adopt Western ideals, values, or technologies, often following defeats.

The Opium War (1839-1842)

Resulted in China’s diminished global status and initiated a series of unequal treaties.

Trade Imbalance

Historical Chinese innovations clashed with British advancements, exacerbating economic tensions.

The Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901)

An uprising met with resistance primarily from the elites who feared losing power amidst reforms.

Revolution of 1912

Circumvented by local warlords, leading to the eventual establishment of a republic.

The Black Ships (Commodore Perry, 1853)

Set off a wave of modernization that Japan previously halted during the 1600s.

Meiji Restoration (1868)

A response to external threats emphasizing national strength through modernization.

Canton System Limitations

Constrained trade and showcased China's failure to adapt, culminating in the Opium War.

Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895)

Reflected shifting power dynamics in East Asia.

100 Days Reforms (1898)

A brief attempt at modern governance that faced backlash and was short-lived.

Radical Changes in Taiping Rebellion

Emphasized abolition of property and foot binding, indicating drastic social shifts.

Japanese Modernization Strategy

'Rich country, strong army' philosophy encapsulating Japan's goals during the Meiji Restoration.

Social Needs in Taiping Rebellion

Highlighted the socio-economic desires for reform in a traditional society.

Theoretical Foundations of Reform

Inalienable rights as a pivotal concept in pushing for reforms and human rights.

Challenges of Western Influence

Tensions between traditional values and the necessity for modernization in both China and Japan.

Resistance from Power Structures

Power elites resisted reforms fearing loss of control and privilege.

Confucian Values and Modern Needs

Significant historical attempts to reconcile traditional Chinese values with modern practices.

External Threats to Japan

Prompted the Meiji Restoration, emphasizing modernization as national survival.

Consequences of Trade Imbalance

Economic tensions between historical Chinese innovations and British advancements.

Mandatory Systemic Changes

Westernizing Reforms include both minimum adjustments and complete overhauls of existing systems.

Underreaction to Reform Demands

Reflects insufficient response to pressures for societal changes after defeats.

Complete Systemic Overhauls

A key characteristic of successful Westernizing reforms in response to external pressures.