Unit 3: Cultural Traditions & Modernization

Meiji Restoration

The political program that followed the destruction of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1868, in which a collection of young leaders set Japan on the path of centralization, industrialization, and imperialism.

MacArthur Constitution

U.S.-imposed constitution adopted by Japan in 1947; parliamentary democracy, decreased role emperor, no military

USFJ

US Forces, Japan - part of security umbrella

Fukishima

A nuclear disaster which followed the tsunami in Japan in 2011.

Asian Tigers

the highly developed economies of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Hong Kong

A British colony in China, received after the first Opium War and returned to China in 1997; to maintain autonomy thru 2047.

One country, two systems

Agreement signed by Britain and China in 1984; Hong Kong is subject to Chinese rule, but continues to enjoy a high degree of autonomy meaning that it maintains its capitalist system, legal system, and ways of life

Extradition

A legal process whereby a state surrenders a person charged with a crime to the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed.

Umbrella Revolution

A political movement that emerged during the Hong Kong democracy protests of 2014.

Opium War

a conflict between Britain and China, lasting from 1839 to 1842, over Britain's opium trade in China

Spheres of Influence in China

an area where a foreign nation controlled economic developments such as railroad construction and mining

Open Door Policy

A policy proposed by the US in 1899, under which ALL nations would have equal opportunities to trade in China.

Boxer Rebellion

1899 rebellion in Beijing, China started by a secret society of Chinese who opposed the "foreign devils". The rebellion was ended by British troops.

Goumindang

Chinese Nationalist party founded by Sun Yat-sen in 1919; ended Imperial dynasty in China, est Republic. Dominated by Chiang Kai-shek after 1925

Three Principles of the People

Nationalism, Democracy, and Livelihood

Mao Zedong

(1893-1976) Leader of the Communist Party in China that overthrew Chiang Kai-shek & the Nationalists. Established China as the People's Republic of China and ruled from 1949 until 1976.

Taiwan

an island in southeastern Asia 100 miles off the coast of mainland China in the South China Sea - home to Chinese nationalist party

Great Leap Forward

Started by Mao Zedong, combined collective farms into People's Communes, failed because there was no incentive to work harder, ended after 2 years.

Cultural Revolution

a radical reform in China initiated by Mao Zedong to purge Communist Party (of opponents) and carried out largely by the Red Guard youth

Ping Pong Diplomacy

Nixon sends US athletes to China to help ease tensions between the two countries & exploit rift USSR-China relations

"One China Policy" (Taiwan)

Deals with official recognition of Beijing as representative govt of Chinese people; limits foreign relations with Taiwan (seen as part of China).

Deng Xiaoping

Communist Party leader who seen as responsible for Chinese economic reforms (Four Modernizations) after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976.

Tiananmen Square

Symbolic heart of Chinese politics; site in Beijing of protests and a massacre in 1989.

Xi Jinping Thought

Consolidate power at home - expand power abroad. Current President's plans to make China a global power by 2050

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

China's attempt to recreate overland & maritime silk roads - massive investments (and influence) in foreign economies

South China Sea disputes

disputes involve both island and maritime claims among several sovereign states within the region, namely Brunei, the China, the Republic of China (ROC), Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. China is building manmade islands in the area

Chinese Human Rights

lack basic freedoms (speech); internet censorship; citizen surveillance; oppression minorities & political dissidents; workers violations

Uigher

minority ethnic group of Muslims living in northwestern province of China who want autonomy; currently being detained in reeducation (internment) camps

Northern Tier

Stretches across Turkey and Iran

Fertile Crescent

A geographical area of fertile land in the Middle East stretching in a broad semicircle from the Nile to the Tigris and Euphrates

OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries)

Oil rich nations of the world who work together to control the supply and price.

Kafala System

An employer sponsors a migrant worker by paying travel expenses and providing room and board; sponsors often abuse it by taking the workers' passports; the workers are indebted to their sponsors

Kurds

Ethnic group that lives in parts of Iraq, Turkey & Syria. They often suffer persecution in both countries, and are currently under the protection of the United Nations in Iraq.

Ottoman Empire

A Muslim empire based in Turkey that lasted from the 1300's to 1922.

Attaturk (Mustafa Kemal)

"Father of the Turks" Led Turkey to break away from Ottoman Empire - He wanted westernization

Persians

a native or inhabitant of ancient or modern Persia (Iran), or a person of Persian descent; speaks Farsi

Sunni- Shia Split

Muhammad named no religious heir, which sparked argument on who was his rightful heir. Shiites believed cousin, Ali, should be the next caliph, because he was his heir by blood. The Sunnis believed that Abu Bakr, close friend, should be the next caliph because he surpassed others in wisdom and piety.

Caliph

successor to Muhammad as political and religious leader of the Muslims

Iranian Revolution

(1978-1979) a revolution against the shah of Iran led by the Ayatollah Khomeini, which resulted in Iran becoming an Islamic republic (theocracy)

US-Iran Relations

United States government does not have diplomatic relations with Iran, dating back to the Iranian Revolution & Hostage Crisis at the US Embassy. The United States has long-standing concerns over Iran's nuclear program, sponsorship of terrorism, and human rights record.

JCPOA

Obama era agreement to slow down Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons. Iran agreed to dismantle reactors, reduce uranium stockpiles, and open up to more inspections in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump withdrew the US from the deal.

Arab Spring

A series of public protests, strikes, and rebellions in the Arab countries beginning in 2011, often facilitated by social media, that called for fundamental government and economic reforms.

Mohamed Bouazizi

Tunisian street vendor who set himself on fire to protest the government's harassment and actions - initiated the Arab uprisings

Egyptian Revolution

Revolution starting in 2011 that replaced dictator Hosni Mubarak with a democratically elected President who was later overthrown in a military coup still in power.

Syrian Civil War

A violent ongoing armed conflict in Syria between forces loyal to the Assad government and those seeking to oust it. The international community has intervened over the use of chemical weapons, the rise of ISIS, and the refugee crisis.

Yemen Crisis

Began with the revolution against dictator Saleh; Houthi rebels have since taken over interim government. Has become proxy conflict for Saudi Arabia and Iran; with the people suffering from cholera and famine.

Muammar Qaddafi

Ousted Libyan dictator, and former terror sponsor, killed by rebels during the Arab Spring uprising. The nation has since dissolved into tribal warfare.

Proxy War

a war in which the powers in conflict use third parties as substitutes instead of fighting each other directly

Guardianship

Traditional Saudi system by which all females must have male guardian, who maintains economic and social influence and decision making. Relaxing under current leadership

MBS

New Saudi Crown Prince - Mohammed bin Salman.

Jamal Khashoggi

Saudi Arabian journalist and dissident, columnist for Washington Post, murdered in Turkey under orders of MBS.

dissident

one who disagrees (with the government)

Persian Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm)

an international coalition of forces assembled under the United Nations, and led by the US, that forced the withdrawal of Saddam Hussein's Iraqi forces from Kuwait, which they had invaded and occupied in August 1990 to secure access to oil

Operation Iraqi Freedom

GW Bush authorized mission to rid Iraq of tyrannical dictator Saddam Hussein and eliminate weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Operation Iraqi Freedom illustrated the Bush administration's pledge to use unilateral, pre-emptive strikes if necessary against nations believed dangerous to American national security following 9/11.

Operation Enduring Freedom (2001)

US led mission to overthrow the Taliban in Afghanistan and destroy al-Qaeda terror training camps in the wake of 9/11. Officially lasted 13 years but US troops remained in the country to fight insurgency & establish a viable government until July 2021 withdrawal.

Jihad

A holy struggle or striving by a Muslim for a moral or spiritual or political goal

Sharia

Islamic law