The Western Contact With Korea, Japan, And China And Its Impact (Essay Sample)

Asian History
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Asian History
Question 1
China and Japan responded to this encounter by dictating the terms. The westerners had to negotiate with Asians on their arrival to efficiently influence trade activities in their favor. The Europeans incorporated the use of gifts, and other diplomatic initiatives in a bid show their credibility and legitimacy. In China, Japan and Korea, the interactions were limited as the Westerners were confined to port cities. Asians incorporated western ideas through communications, and further spread them to their societies. Contact with the west meant that China, Japan, and Korea borrowed some of customs and manner. Japan developed a taste for foreign things as some of the Asian countries assimilated to some of the practices designed by the west such as decorating objects with some of the images of these foreigners. Japan maintained its feudal system of governance and isolated itself but later opened itself to the world in a bid to incorporate modernization. These three nations picked up some of the dressing habits from the west and maintained them. The interaction resulted in cultural assimilation and development of trade between these nations. There was an isolationist system in China, and thus their interaction with foreigners was limited to Canton which was the only acceptable port to conduct foreign trade. Merchants referred to the Cohong conducted business. There was a significant influence from the contact with the West from 1500 to 1800 as Missionaries went to China with Western learning and Christianity. Ultimately, there was the widespread of Christianity although it was met with massive resistance. The Chinese also incorporated the Western technology as the European came with advanced chiming clocks. The contact led to the development of an art which the Chinese carried on due to its visual effect and ability to tell a story.
This interaction stipulated military revolution in Japan such as the development of advanced tactics and the universal incorporation of firearms. Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Oda Nobunaga were effective during this period as they contributed to the development of a coherent and modern nation. On the other hand, Korea maintained its isolation policy during the contact with the west because it was a small nation and it wanted to find an easy way to survive.
Question 2
The European and American Imperialism meant that these states built vast empires in Asia and thus taking a lot of riches from these nations. America and European nations used the new imperialism to attain military, political, and economic g...