British East India Company
set up trading posts in India in the 1600s, beginning the British economic interest there A joint stock company that controlled most of India during the period of imperialism. This company controlled the political, social, and economic life in India for more than 200 years.
Sepoy
An Indian soldier serving under British command.
Enfield p-53 rifle
the rifle that begins the Sepoy Rebellion because of the grease used on the cartridges. Both Islamic and Hindu Indian citizens refuse to use it because of the rumored pork/beef grease used
Sepoy Mutiny
The revolt against the British by many different groups across India 1857 but led particularly by some of the disgruntled Indian soldiers working for the British. It caused the British government to take over more direct control of India from the British East India Company.
British Raj
The name for the British government's military rule of India between 1858 and 1947.
Sino-Japanese War
(1894-1895) Japan's imperialistic war against China to gain control of natural resources and markets for their goods. It ended with the Treaty of Portsmouth which granted Japan Chinese port city trading rights
Favorable Balance of Trade
an economic situation in which a country sells more goods abroad than it buys from abroad
Opium War
a conflict between Britain and China, lasting from 1839 to 1842, over Britain's opium trade in China
Unequal Treaties
trade treaties that China signed under pressure of invasion; gave Western powers trade benefits
Spheres of Influence in China
one country would have special authority or presence and another country would have a different area of authority. China became divided by European powers.
Treaty of Nanjing
"unequal treaty" to end Opium War in which China had to accept British terms for peace
Boxer Rebellion
1899 rebellion in Beijing, China started by a secret society of Chinese who opposed the "foreign devils". The rebellion was ended by British troops.
Taiping Rebellion
(1850-1864) A revolt by the people of China against the ruling Manchu Dynasty because of their failure to deal effectively with the opium problem and the interference of foreigners.
Lord MaCartney
British diplomat; he visited China in 1793 to discuss expanding trade. He was sent away after his goods were found to be inferior and he refused to kowtow to the emperorAdd or Remov
Isolationism
the belief that a country should not be involved with other countries : a policy of not making agreements or working with other countries.
Modernize
bring up to date by introducing new ideas and ways of doing things
Westernization
the adoption of the practices and culture of western Europe by societies and countries in other parts of the world, whether through compulsion (wanting to do it) or influence.
Treaty of Kanagawa
1854 treaty between Japan and the US. Japan agreed to open two ports to American ships
Commodore Matthew Perry
A navy commander who, on July 8, 1853, became the first foreigner to break through the barriers that had kept Japan isolated from the rest of the world; Caused the Japanese emperor to sign the Treaty of Kanagawa and open Japanese ports to trade
Emperor Meiji
emperor of Japan who modernized Japan in the 1860s by studying and adopting Western armies, government forms and industries. As a result, Japan became a strong power and was never colonized
Gunboat Diplomacy
The use or threat of military force to coerce(persuade) a government into economic or political agreements.
Meiji Restoration
the modernization and industrialization of Japan in the 1800's