Nationalism in China and Japan (1919-1939)

How successful were nationalist movements in China and Japan?
How did resentment of foreign interest lead to the downfall of the Qing Dynasty?
How did the nationalist movement grow and change under the leadership of Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek?
How did communism develop in China?
Describe the changes in Japanese life that were caused by rapid modernization.
How and why did Japan pursue a policy of expansionism in the 20th century?

Open Door Policy: Proposed by the U.S. in 1899, calling for equal trading rights among all nations in China.
The Boxers: Anti-foreign secret society (Society of the Harmonious Fists) that led the Boxer Rebellion (1900), targeting foreign nationals and Christian converts.
Foreign Domination: By the late 1800s, foreign powers had significant control over trade, politics, and economy in China.
Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist Party): Emerged in response to foreign domination, advocating for modernization and reform.

The Qing dynasty, facing increasing pressures, attempted reforms but encountered resistance from conservative factions, leading to its downfall in 1911.
Sun Yat-sen: A principal figure in the overthrow of the Qing, emphasizing the Three Principles of the People:
- Government for the people.
- Rights for the citizens.
- Livelihood (economic support).
The last emperor abdicated in February 1912, leading to the establishment of the Republic of China.

After the fall of the Qing, the power struggle continued with warlords controlling regions until 1928.
The Kuomintang faced internal divisions, splitting between right-wing nationalists and left-wing communists.
Chiang Kai-shek: Took over leadership of the Nationalists after Sun Yat-sen's death in 1925, establishing a non-democratic government.

The Chinese Communist Party was founded in 1921, inspired by Marxism and the Russian Revolution.
Key events like the Long March (1934-1935) under Mao Zedong were crucial for Communist survival against Nationalist forces.
Support from Peasants: Mao emphasized agrarian reforms and garnered support from the rural population, contrasting with the Nationalists who ignored peasant issues.

Japan’s industrialization in the late 19th century led to:
- Need for land and markets
- Expansion into Korea and conflict with Russia over Manchuria.
Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905): Marked Japan's emergence as a military power, enforcing its dominance in Korea and parts of China through the Treaty of Portsmouth.
Meiji Restoration and Militarization: Japan transitioned to a military economy, seeking territory for resources due to dependency on foreign supplies.

Rapid urbanization led to rising demands for democracy and labor rights, with workers organizing strikes for better conditions.
Youth and intellectuals became increasingly influenced by Western values, advocating for increased political rights and social reforms, though only men received voting rights initially.

Both China and Japan grappled with foreign influence and internal demands for reform, leading to significant changes in governance, social structures, and national identity.
The developments in China culminated in the rise of communism, while Japan's militaristic tendencies initiated a path to expansion and conflicts globally.