World History Ch 7 Study Guide

Pu Yi

Became emperor at age 2 in 1908 and was the last ruler of China. He abdicated in 1912, ending over 2,000 years of imperial rule, and later was used by Japan as a puppet ruler

Dowager Ci Xi

Powerful empress who controlled China for decades. She blocked many reforms and kept traditional systems, which made the government weak and resistant to change

Guang Xu

Young emperor who tried to modernize China in 1898 by reforming schools, the army, and the government. Ci Xi stopped his reforms and put him under house arrest, showing the power of conservatives

Self Strengthening

Policy in the late 1800s where China tried to modernize its army, ships, and industry using Western technology but kept Confucian traditions. It helped build factories and weapons but did not strengthen the government or fix the economy

Fall of the Qing Dynasty

The last dynasty ended in 1911–1912 due to rebellions, corruption, and foreign pressure. After the emperor stepped down, China became a republic but was unstable and controlled by regional warlords

Hong Xiuquan

Leader of the Taiping Rebellion who believed he was the younger brother of Jesus. He led millions in fighting the Qing, aiming for land reform and equality, but caused massive destruction and deaths

Taiping Rebellion

A major civil war from 1850–1864 against the Qing government. It killed 20–30 million people, destroyed cities and farmland, and revealed widespread dissatisfaction with the government

Opium Wars

Wars between China and Britain (1839–1842 and 1856–1860) over opium trade. China lost both, giving Britain ports and Hong Kong, paying large sums of money, and allowing foreign control over trade

Extraterritoriality

A rule in treaties allowing foreigners in China to follow their own country’s laws instead of Chinese laws. It showed China’s government was weak and caused resentment among the people

Treaty of Nanjing

Treaty in 1842 ending the First Opium War. China had to give Hong Kong to Britain, open five ports to trade, pay money, and allow foreigners to follow their own laws

Boxer Rebellion

Uprising in 1899–1901 where the “Boxers” attacked foreigners and Chinese Christians. Foreign armies crushed it, forced China to pay fines, and showed the Qing government’s weakness

Six Nations

The six major powers that defeated the Boxers: Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Japan, and the United States. They made China pay penalties and strengthened foreign influence

Spheres of Influence

Areas in China where foreign countries controlled trade, resources, and railroads without fully governing the land. These regions limited China’s ability to control its own economy

John Hay

U.S. Secretary of State who introduced the Open Door Policy in 1899. He wanted all nations to trade equally in China and prevent any single country from controlling it

Open Door Policy

U.S. plan stating all countries should have equal trade access in China while respecting its borders. It stopped any one country from taking total control and helped U.S. businesses

Commodore Matthew Perry

U.S. navy officer who went to Japan in 1853–1854 and forced it to open ports. His actions ended Japan’s 200-year isolation

General Yuan Shikai

Chinese general who became the first president of the Republic of China in 1912. He later tried to make himself emperor, which failed, and his actions led to warlord rule

Sun Yat sen

Revolutionary leader called the “Father of Modern China” who helped end the Qing dynasty. He founded the Nationalist Party and wanted China to be united, have a modern government, and improve people’s lives

Revive China Society

Secret organization started by Sun Yat sen to plan uprisings against the Qing dynasty. It gained support from overseas Chinese and became the foundation for the Nationalist Party

Nationalist Party

Political party started by Sun Yat sen to unite and modernize China. Under Chiang Kai

Chiang Kai shek

Leader of the Nationalist Party after Sun Yat sen. He led the Northern Expedition to unite China, fought the Communists in the Civil War, resisted Japan, and moved the government to Taiwan in 1949

Emperor Mutsuhito

Japanese emperor (Meiji) who ruled 1867–1912. He ended feudalism and modernized Japan’s army, government, schools, and economy

Meiji Restoration

Reforms starting in 1868 that restored power to the emperor in Japan. Japan built a modern army, factories, schools, and legal system, becoming a strong world power

Russo Japanese War

War between Japan and Russia from 1904–1905 over control of Korea and Manchuria. Japan won, becoming the first Asian country to defeat a European power, gaining influence and showing Russia’s weaknesses

Port Arthur

Key naval base in southern Manchuria controlled by Russia. Japan captured it during the war, giving them an important military advantage

Manchuria

Region in northeast China rich in coal, iron, farmland, and railroads. Russia and Japan fought over it, and Japan later took control to use its resources