history of East Asia 2.0

China

A country in East Asia that has been a center of civilization in the region.

Japan

A country in East Asia that has absorbed elements of foreign cultures and has been one of the main powers in the region.

Yamato clan

The clan that unified Japan during the Kofun period and left a lasting impact on Japanese culture.

Asuka and Nara Periods

Periods in Japanese history where there was a strong absorption of Chinese civilization elements.

Heian period

A period in Japanese history characterized by the reign of Fujiwara regents and the codification of penal and civil laws.

Tokugawa shogunate

The period of Japanese history from 1603 to 1868 where the Tokugawa family held power and Japan was ruled by a centralized government.

Edo period

Another name for the Tokugawa shogunate period, named after the capital city of Edo (now Tokyo).

Meiji restoration

The period in Japanese history from 1868 to 1912 where Japan underwent rapid modernization and westernization.

Treaty of Shimonoseki

A treaty signed in 1895 that ended the first Sino-Japanese war and resulted in Korea gaining independence from China.

Taisho era

The period in Japanese history from 1912 to 1926 characterized by political and social changes, including the strengthening of the middle class and the admission of political parties to power.

Faction of control (toseiha)

A political faction in Japan led by General Tojo Hideki during World War II.

Gen

General and Prime Minister of Japan during World War II, known for his role in leading Japan's military aggression.

Moderate faction

A political faction in Japan that advocated for a balanced approach to governance and expansionism.

Balanced expansionism

A policy that aimed to expand Japan's influence while maintaining a balance of power.

Totalitarianism

A political system in which the government has complete control over all aspects of public and private life.

Central planned economy

An economic system in which the government controls and plans all economic activities.

Necessity of cooperation with bureaucracy and zaibatsu

The belief that collaboration with the government bureaucracy and large industrial conglomerates (zaibatsu) was necessary for Japan's economic and political stability.

Rise of nationalism

The increase in patriotic sentiment and loyalty to one's nation, often resulting in aggressive foreign policies.

General Tanaka Giichi

A general who served as Prime Minister of Japan in 1927.

London treaty

A treaty signed in 1930 that extended the 5-5 formula (limiting the tonnage of Japan's light cruisers) with a slight increase in tonnage.

Hamaguchi Osachi

Prime Minister of Japan who was shot by a nationalist in 1931 and died from his injuries.

First initiatives by the militarists

The initial actions taken by the military faction in Japan to assert their influence and control.

Kwantung army

The Japanese army stationed in south Manchuria, which played a significant role in Japan's expansionist policies.

May incident

A failed coup attempt by young naval officers on May 15, 1932, which included the assassination of Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi.

February incident

A rebellion by rebel young officers on February 26, 1936, resulting in the death of several high-ranking officials.

Konoe Fumimaro

A prince from the Fujiwara clan who served as Prime Minister of Japan in 1937-1939 and 1940-1941.

General Mobilization Law

A law enacted in 1939 that gave the Japanese government control over all areas of national life, including the regulation of prices and flow of money.

Abolition of political parties

A policy implemented in 1940 that dissolved political parties in Japan and established the Imperial Rule Assistance Association.

Nixon shock

Economic measures undertaken by US President Richard Nixon in 1971, including the announcement of secret diplomacy with China, which had an impact on Japan.

US-Japan security treaty

A treaty signed in 1960 that permits the presence of US military bases on Japanese soil and outlines mutual alliance responsibilities.

American occupation of Japan

The period after World War II when Japan was under the control of the Allied Powers, led by General Douglas MacArthur.

Cold War

The period of political tension and rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies.

Truman doctrine

A policy announced by US President Harry Truman in 1947 that aimed to contain the spread of communism.

Domino theory

A geopolitical theory that suggests that if one country falls to communism, neighboring countries are likely to follow in a domino effect.

Bamboo curtain

A political demarcation during the Cold War between communist states in East Asia, particularly China, and capitalist states in Southeast Asia.

Yoshida doctrine

A policy advocated by Prime Minister Yoshida Shigeru that focused on economic development and relied on the US for defense.

Normalization of relations with China

The process of establishing diplomatic relations between Japan and China, including the recognition of Taiwan as part of China.

Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers directives

Directives issued by General MacArthur during the US occupation of Japan, including the emancipation of women and the democratization of education.

End of the 1955 system

The collapse of the political system in Japan in 1993, which had been dominated by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) since its creation in 1955.

Yoshida Shigeru

Prime Minister of Japan who served multiple terms and played a key role in Japan's post-war reconstruction and alliance with the US.

Tanaka Kakuei

A Japanese politician known for his informal decision-making mechanisms and involvement in construction projects.

US reverse course towards Japan

A shift in US policy towards Japan in the 1950s, from demilitarization and democratization to remilitarization and anticommunism.

1946/1947 Constitution

The constitution of Japan, drafted by the US and promulgated in 1946, which included provisions for human rights, parliamentary democracy, and the separation of state and religion.

Article 9 of Japanese Constitution

A provision in the Japanese Constitution that renounces war as a sovereign right of the nation and prohibits the maintenance of war potential.

Korean War

A conflict that began in 1950 between North Korea (supported by China and the Soviet Union) and South Korea (supported by the US and its allies), with Japan being indirectly affected by the war.

1910 annexation of Korea by Japan

The takeover of Korea by Japan in 1910, making it a colony of Japan.

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

The official name of North Korea, proclaimed in 1948.

Gim II-seong

The prime minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the general secretary of the central committee of the workers' party of Korea until 1994.

I Seungman

The first president of South Korea from 1948 to 1960 and an experienced independence movement activist.

Korean War

The conflict that took place from 1950 to 1953 between North Korea (supported by China and the Soviet Union) and South Korea (supported by the United States and the United Nations).

Armistice

The signing of the armistice agreement in July 1953, which ended the fighting in the Korean War but did not result in a peace treaty.

Demilitarized Zone

The creation of a demilitarized zone along the demarcation line between North and South Korea as part of the Panmunjeom agreement.

Panmunjeom agreement

The agreement signed in July 1953 at Panmunjeom, which established the terms for the armistice and the ongoing talks towards unification.

Korean War as a peripheral conflict of Cold War

The view that the Korean War was a smaller-scale conflict that was influenced by and connected to the larger Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Ethnic composition

The process of bringing various non-Chinese people under Qing rule, which doubled the territory and population of China and influenced the origins of modern China's identity.

Retroflex vowels

The "er" sound in the Beijing dialect, which is absent in the southern dialects of China.

Qipao

A traditional Chinese dress characterized by its wide and loose, A-shaped design, often worn for archery.

Traditional Chinese world order

A hierarchical system that included the Council for the Administration of Outer Provinces, the Ministry of Rituals, and the acknowledgment of China's cultural and political superiority by neighboring regions.

Sinocentric world order

The belief that the societies of East Asia originated from ancient China and were most influenced by Chinese civilization, with China as the "central kingdom."

Tianxia

An all-embracing concept of unity and cultural entity, where the Chinese world was hierarchic and anti-egalitarian, with the Son of Heaven at the apex.

Westphalian world order of the modern states

A European concept of balance of power and sovereignty over territories, contrasting with China's subordination to the central power of the emperor.

Opium Wars

Conflicts between China and Britain in the 19th century, resulting in the opening of China to trade and the modern system of international relations.

Treaty of Nanjing

The most important treaty in China's modern history, which established equality in communications between the Qing emperor and the British sovereign, opened five treaty ports, and ceded Hong Kong to Britain.

Treaty of Bogue (Humen)

A supplementary treaty to the Treaty of Nanjing, which introduced extraterritoriality for British residents in China and the most favored nation clause.

Opium War significance

The Opium Wars led to the opening up of China to trade and the transformation of China's sovereignty concepts, marking the beginning of China's integration into the modern system of international relations.

Taiping Rebellion

A rebellion led by Hong Xiuquan and the Xianfeng Emperor, fueled by anti-Manchu sentiment, opposition to opium, and the emergence of Chinese military leaders.

Zeng Guofan

Leader of the Xiang army, a confucian scholar, and the leading advocate of "self-strengthening" during the late Qing dynasty.

Tongzhi Restoration

A period of selective use of foreign technology and the restoration of traditional order based on Confucian teachings.

Cixi

The Empress Dowager who resisted in-depth reforms and installed her nephew Guangxu as emperor.

Li Hongzhang

The main architect of the "self-strengthening" movement, known for his role in modernizing railroads, engineering, the fleet, and educational reforms.

Sino-Japanese War

A war between China and Japan, resulting in the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which forced China to recognize the independence of Korea and ceded territories to Japan.

Hundred Days' Reforms

A series of reforms aimed at modernizing China's government, education, commerce, industry, agriculture, and military.

Boxer Rebellion

A massive peasant uprising against the Manchu rulers and foreign influence in China, pacified by a joint expedition of eight armies.

New policy of economic and military reforms

A set of reforms that included the reorganization of the armed forces, the growth of Chinese nationalism, and the eventual end of Qing rule in the 1911 revolution.

Sun Yat-sen

Revolutionary leader and founding father of China.

Tongmenghui

Political organization founded by Sun Yat-sen in 1905.

Republic of China

The name of the Chinese government established on January 1, 1912.

Reform movement of 1898

A movement in China that aimed to modernize and reform various aspects of society.

Constitutional government

A form of government in which power is limited by a constitution.

Industrialization

The process of developing industries in a country or region.

Sino-Western curricula

Educational programs that combined Chinese and Western teachings.

Kang Youwei

A Chinese scholar and reformer who advocated for political and educational reforms.

Guoxue

The study of traditional Chinese culture and literature.

Zhang Zhidong

A Chinese statesman who advocated for adopting Western laws and reforms.

Liang Qichao

A Chinese scholar and reformer who emphasized the importance of historical scholarship in nationalism.

Historical races

Races that have a history of organizing and contributing to the development of civilization.

Ethnic minorities

Non-Han Chinese populations within the Qing empire.

The Yellow Dragon Flag

A flag symbolizing the imperial orthodoxy of the Chinese emperor or dynasty.

The Republic of China

The official name of the Chinese government established on January 1, 1912.

Three principles of the People

The principles of anti-imperialist nationalism, democracy, and people's welfare.

Guomindang (GMD)

The Nationalist Party of China, led by Sun Yat-sen and later Song Jiaoren.

Yuan Shikai

The president of China from 1912 to 1916, known for his autocratic rule and international recognition.

May Fourth Movement

A protest movement in China in 1919 against the terms of the Versailles Treaty and for the redefinition of Chinese culture.

New Youth (Xin qingnian)

A magazine founded by Chen Duxiu in 1915 that advocated for democracy and science in China.

Hu Shi

A Chinese writer and philosopher who advocated for the use of vernacular language in literature.

The Three-Anti and Five-Anti Campaigns

Anti-corruption and anti-waste campaigns launched in China from 1951-1952.

Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance

A treaty signed between China and the Soviet Union in 1950, which included provisions for mutual assistance in case of aggression.

Bandung Conference

A conference held in 1955 in Bandung, Indonesia, where Asian and African countries discussed issues of colonialism and imperialism.

The Hundred Flowers Campaign

A campaign launched in China in 1956-1957 to encourage criticism of the government and promote pluralism of thinking.

The Great Leap Forward

An economic and social campaign launched by Mao Zedong in China from 1958-1961, aimed at rapidly transforming China into a socialist society.