Transformations Around the Globe

Self-Sufficiency: China's strong agricultural economy, mining, and manufacturing led to self-sufficiency.
Opium War (1839): Britain's refusal to stop trading opium led to conflict; China was defeated due to outdated ships and signed the Treaty of Nanjing (1842).
Treaty of Nanjing: Britain gained Hong Kong, and extraterritorial rights were granted to foreigners.
Taiping Rebellion: Hong Xiuquan led a rebellion aiming for a "Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace"; the rebellion resulted in massive casualties (20-40 million deaths).
Dowager Empress Cixi: Held power (1862-1908), supported the self-strengthening movement to update education, diplomacy, and military.
Spheres of Influence: Foreign nations gained control over trade and investment in specific areas of China.
Open Door Policy: The U.S. proposed open trade for all nations in China, preventing colonization.
Boxer Rebellion: An uprising against foreign privilege and Dowager Empress's rule failed due to multinational force intervention; it increased Chinese nationalism.

End of Isolation: Japan ended its isolation after U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival in 1853; the Treaty of Kanagawa (1854) opened ports for U.S. ships.
Meiji Era: Emperor Mutsuhito modernized Japan by studying and adapting Western ways.
Meiji Reforms: Centralized government based on Germany, modernized military, universal public education (American system).
Industrialization: Japan built railroads, increased coal production, and developed modern industries.
Japanese Nationalism: Fostered through education and loyalty to the emperor.
Sino-Japanese War: Japan drove China out of Korea and gained territory (Taiwan) in 1894-1895.
Russo-Japanese War: Japan defeated Russia (1904-1905), gaining captured territories and influence in Manchuria and Korea.
Annexation of Korea: Japan annexed Korea in 1910, imposing harsh rule and suppressing Korean culture.

Santa Anna: Dominated Mexican politics as a caudillo; was president four times.
Texas Revolt: American colonists in Texas revolted against Mexico; led to battles such as the Alamo and San Jacinto.
Mexican War: The U.S. annexed Texas and defeated Mexico, acquiring the northern third of Mexico.
Benito Juárez: A liberal reformer who aimed to redistribute land, separate church and state, and increase education.
La Reforma: Juárez's reform movement faced conservative opposition.
French Invasion: France invaded Mexico and appointed Maximilian as emperor; Juárez fought against French rule, eventually defeating them.
Porfirio Díaz: A caudillo who came to power in 1876, promising "Order and Progress;" he modernized Mexico but at the expense of the poor.
Mexican Revolution: Led by Francisco Madero, Pancho Villa, and Emiliano Zapata, aimed to overthrow Díaz.
Emiliano Zapata: Fought for land reform with the motto "Tierra y Libertad."
New Mexican Constitution (1917): Promoted education, land reforms, and workers’ rights.