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LESSON 32
GROWTH OF ASIAN NATIONS: CHINA AND JAPAN

Learning Objectives
Students will acquire knowledge about

1.The rise of modern China.

2.The emergence of the People’s Republic of China.

3.The rise of modern Japan.

4.Growth of Japan as an economic giant.

Rise of Modern China

Asia is generally divided into South Asia, South East Asia, East
Asia and West Asia. China and Japan are part of East Asia. The
People’s Republic of China, which was established in 1949 is the
largest country in East Asia. It is also the fourth largest country in
the world. It has the largest population in the world. It shares its
border with 14 nations in Asia.
China is one of the oldest civilizations in the
world. China was ruled by many dynasties. During
the 19th and 20th centuries, China was ruled by the
Manchu dynasty. China during Manchu rule became
weak. China was called the sick man of Asia. It
became a quasi colony of the western powers. The
European countries came to China for trade and
LIN TSE HSU commerce. China called the Europeans as “Red
Barbarians”. China imposed many restrictions on
European traders. Co-hong (security merchants) was the institution
that controlled the European trade. Particularly the English and
French did not like this. Slowly the English merchants introduced

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opium to the Chinese traders. In due course of time, China imported

large quantities of opium. Opium-eating became a national vice.
Therefore, the Chinese government imposed rules to prohibit opium
trade. The action of Commissioner Lin Tse hsu led to First Opium
War (1839-1842) in which England defeated China. The war came
to an end with the Treaty of Nanking. In 1856 the Second Opium
War took place. This time Britain, France, USA and Russia fought
against China. The war ended with the Treaty of Tientsin in 1860.
Thus, the western countries established their supremacy in
China. China was partitioned into many economic zones controlled
by western powers. This is known as “the cutting of the Chinese
Melon” (ie., cutting China into many pieces). The failure of Manchu
dynasty led to the Taiping Rebellion (1851-1864) in China. It was
led by Hung Hsiu-chüan. The rebellion was crushed. China was
controlled by queen Tzu hsi from 1860 to 1908 till her death. Tzu
hsi’s reactionary rule led to revolutionary movements in China.
In 1894-1895 a war broke out between China and Japan. This
is known as the First Sino-Japanese War. The war was fought for
the control of Korea. China was defeated in this war. This led to a
Chinese revolt known as the Boxer Rebellion
against the foreign domination of China. This
rebellion was also suppressed with the help of the
western countries.
However, during this time an intellectual
emerged as the undisputed leader of China. He was
Dr. Sun Yat Sen. He is known as the “Morning
Dr. SUN YAT SEN
Star” of China. He mobilized young revolutionaries
and started the 1911 Revolution in China. This revolution ended the
Manchu rule in China. New flag, new calendar were adopted. China
for the first time became a republic. Yuan Shih Kai became the
President of the Chinese Republic.

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During the First World War, Japan captured the Shantung

Province from China. After the War, at the Peace Conference at
Versailles China wanted to get back her territory of Shantung
province. But the allied countries gave Shantung to Japan.
Immediately, the May Fourth Movement started in China.
Following this once again Dr. Sun Yat Sen assumed control of
China. He started the Kuomintang Party. With the Russian help he
wanted to introduce reforms in China. It was during this period the
Chinese Communist Party of China was started. Mso Tse Tung
and Chou –en-lai were the original founding members of the
Communist Party of China.
In 1924 Dr. Sun Yat Sen passed away. The leadership of the
Kuomintang party was assumed by Chiang Kai Shek. In the beginning
there was an understanding between the Kuomintang and the
Communists. But, soon both became rivals. Chiang wanted to
exterminate Mao’s Communist Party. Mao retired to northern China.
It is known as the Long March. There the Communists established
their control. In 1945 a civil war broke out between
the Communists and the Kuomintang. Finally, Mao
established the People’s Republic of China in
October 1949. Chinag Kai Shek fled to Taiwan,
which is known as Nationalist China. During the
Cold War Era the USA supported the Nationalist
China . Hence, the Nationalist China became a
member of the UNO until 1971.The Peoples
Republic of China was admitted as a member in MAO TSE TUNG
the UNO only in 1971.
Mao Tse Tung introduced the economic reform known as the
Great Leap Forward. In 1966, Mao launched the Cultural
Revolution. During the Cultural Revolution those who were against
Mao were removed from the Communist Party and imprisoned.

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After Mao’s death in 1976 and the Gang of Four were

arrested. Following this Deng Xiaoping quickly captured power from
Mao’s successor Hua Guofeng. Deng introduced many economic
reforms including the relaxation of government control over the
Chinese economy. Thus China moved from a planned economy to a
mixed economy. As a result of the changing economic scene
China formally joined the World Trade Organization in 2001.
JAPAN
Japan was the only country which was not colonized by the
European countries in Asia. Though it was geographically a small
country, it became a powerful country. Japan like the western countries
followed a policy of imperialism in Asia. It possessed great military
strength. Today Japan is an economic giant.
Japan followed a policy of isolation for more than 200 years. It
was broken by Commodore Perry of the U.S.A. on 8th July 1853.
His mission paved the way for Japan’s trade with the West. During
this period the Tokugawa Shoguns controlled Japan. Perry’s mission
led to the restoration of the Japanese Emperor to full authority. This
is known as the Meiji Restoration.
The Meiji Restoration had initiated many reforms in Japan.
The feudal system was abolished. Western legal system was adopted.
Constitutional Monarchy, as in Britain, was introduced according to
the Meiji Constitution. Japan was fully modernized.
Soon Japan followed a policy of militarism and imperialism.
Japan defeated China in 1894-95. Subsequently, it defeated the biggest
European country Russia in 1904-05. During the First World War
Japan captured the Chinese territory of Shantung which was leased
to Germany. It also imposed the 21 Demands on China. Thus, at the
end of the First World War Japan emerged as a superior military
power. Hence, in order to control Japan’s Navy the Washington

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Naval Conference was held in 1921-22. But this was only a

temporary measure.
In 1931 Japan invaded Manchuria and established a puppet
regime. In 1937 once again Japan invaded China. Finally, it joined
with Germany and Italy and formed the axis. In 1941 Japan attacked
the Pearl Harbour and the U.S.A. entered the Second World War in
support of Britain and France and Russia.
On August 6 th and 9th two atom bombs were dropped by the
U.S.A. on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan
surrendered to the U.S.A.
General MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito
After the war, Japan was placed under control of the Supreme
Commander, Gen. Douglas MacArthur. The new constitution took
effect on 3rd May 1947. The United States and 45 other Allied nations
signed the San Francisco Peace Treaty in September 1951.
Following the treaty, Japan was made an independent nation once
again.
From the 1950s to the 1980s, Japan’s
history consists mainly of its rapid development
into a major economic power. The U.S.A.
provided the latest technology to Japan. Thus,
Japan rapidly rebuilt its heavy industrial sector.
Japan soon emerged as a significant power in
MACARTHUR
many economic spheres, including steel making,
car manufacture and the manufacture of electronic goods.
Distinguishing characteristics of the Japanese economy include the
cooperation of manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and banks in
closely-knit groups called keiretsu emerged. For examples
Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, Fuyo, Mitsui, Dai-Ichi Kangyo and Sanwa are
some of the powerful companies.

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Politically, the postwar Japan has been dominated by one party

- the Liberal Democratic Party. The party remained practically
invincible for almost half a century. Emperor Hirohito died in 1989
and his son Akihito succeeded.
In the 21st century Japan emerged as a strong economic power.
Japan is the only Asian country to be included in the group of
developed countries. Japan is a member of the G8 (Group of developed
countries).

Learning Outcome

After learning this lesson the students will be able to explain

1. The rise of modern China and a brief history.

2. The emergence of the People’s Republic of China and the

role of Mao.

3. The rise of modern Japan and its role in world politics.

4. Growth of Japan as an economic giant in 20th century.

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MODEL QUESTIONS
I. Choose the correct answer.
1. The sick man of Asia
(a) Turkey (b) Japan
(c) Korea (d) China
2. The First Opium War came to an end by the treaty of ……
(a) Nanking (b) Peking
(c) Tienstein (d) Shantung
II. Fill in the blanks.
1. The Kuomintang Party was founded by …….
2. The San Francisco Peace Treaty was signed in the year …..
III. Match the following.
1. Hung Hsiu-Chuan a. Cultural Revolution
2. Dr. Sun Yat Sen b. Japanese Emperor
3. Mao Tse Tung c. US Mission
4. Commodore Perry d. Morning Star of China
5. Hirohito e. Taiping Rebellion
IV. Find out the correct statement. One statement alone is
correct.
1. Dr. Sun Yat Sen led the Taiping Rebellion.
2. Mao Tse Tung became the President of China after 1911
Revolution.
3. Japan was modernized after Meiji Restoration.
4. Japan is not a member of the G 8.

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V. State whether the following statements are True or False.

1. China was controlled by queen Tzu hsi from 1860 to 1908.
2. After Sun Yat Sen Kuomintang party was led by Mao Tse
Tung.
3. Japan was the only country which was not colonized by the
Europeans in Asia.
4. Japan imposed 21 demands on China during the First World
War.
VI. Write short notes (Any three points).
1. Taiping Rebellion
2. Long March
3. Meiji Restoration
VII. Answer briefly (100 words).
1. Write a note on Mao Tse Tung.
2. Discuss the developments in post-war Japan.
VIII. Answer in detail (200 words).
1. Estimate the role of Dr. Sun Yat Sen in the establishment of
modern China.
2. Give an account of the rise of Japan in the modern world.

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