CHINA, JAPAN, AND KOREA
By Gabe Howley
China
- Earliest settlers for China were in 5000 B.C. and was ruled for thousands of years by the Mongoloids. They created chopsticks and Chinese style of writing.
In 200 B.C, The First Emperor conquered eastern China. Ordered the building of the Great Wall of China to serve as protection from northern invaders.
The Silk Road was China route for trading and it extended from China through Central Asia to the Black Sea.
The Portuguese 1st to establish a trading colony but the British had the biggest influence on China.
After British imperialism, China began to weaken and the Chinese Dynasty system ended in 1911.
Nationalism also weakened China in the early 20th Century because of the China's democratic movement. Communist party in China formed in 1921 and was led by Mao Zedong.
- In 1914 Zedong claimed that China was now the Peoples Republic Of China. Zedong promotes communism and it took away old Chinese ideas. The Red Guards also had a influence on promoting of his ideas.
- In !989, students angrily protested for democracy in Tienanmen Square. The Chinese military responded by shooting innocent civilians.
Economy
Communist, socialist state
Single party leadership
Premier of China—head of the gov’t
No freedom of speech, press, religion
China has one of the world’s largest economies
Major exporter to the U.S. and rest of world
The US relys on China for clothing, toys, machinery, fabrics, and fruits
Many large companies have moved their businesses and factories to China
Culture
Many different cultures due to large population 1.3 billion people
Most people are Han Chinese 70% of population
Majority of the population speak Mandarin
Many different dialects
Rice, noodles, and breads are most eaten
Food and cooking changes from region to region
Tea is the most popular drink
North China: roast duck
Sichuan food: spicy w/ chilies
Religon
- 1. Taoism/Daoism
- 2. Confucianism
- 3. Buddhism
Created in China in 500 B.C.
Belief—natural order to the universe
Goal—live simple life in harmony w/ the flow of nature
Dao—means “the way”
Confucianism:
- Comes from teachings of Confucius
- Code of ethics
- Focuses on rules for family, loyalty, duty, & education
- Relationships—EX: father/son, husband/wife
- Has spread to Japan, North & South Korea, & Vietnam
- Appeared in northern India around 6th century B.C.
- Founder was Siddhartha Gautama also known as Buddha
- Siddhartha gave up wealth to find true meaning of life & became enlightened
- Basic ideas of Buddhism:
- Give up pain, sorrow, & material things
- Reach wisdom, then achieve nirvana
- Religion found in Tibet
Map of China
The Great Wall of China
- The Great Wall of China was a series of fortifications.
- Was created by the peasants and convicted.
- The wall is about 21,196.18 km (13,170.7 mi).
- Served as protection from Northern invaders.
Forbidden City
- It is the world's largest ancient palace.
- Located in the center Beijing.
- Beijing is the most popular tourist attraction in China.
Terracotta Army
- Contains more than 6,000 life-size terra cotta soldiers.
- Largest Complex in the world.
- It is a 20-square-mile-compound
- Was unfinished at the time the emperor had died
Japan
History
- Japan was highly influenced by China/Korea power with the emperor. In the 1100s, the real power begin with a powerful warlord called a Shogun, they began to rule over daimyo.
- Europeans traders entered Japan in the 1500s . The Europeans introduced Christianity, but Japan drove the Europeans out in the 1600s because Japan wanted to stay isolated.
- Japan became a major military power in the 1800s takes over parts of Korea, Russia, and Manchuria.
- 1940s Japan allies Germany/Italy in World War II and then bombs Pearl Harbor in 1941
August 1945 --- US drops atomic bombs on Japan
Aug. 6 --- atomic bomb on Hiroshima(Little Boy) Aug. 9 --- atomic bomb on Nagasaki (Fat Man)
Results:
1. Japan surrenders to end WWII
2. Almost 200,000 people die
3. Thousands of people die later by exposure to radiation
Natural Environment
- There are 4 main islands to Japan and thousands of smaller ones
- 70% of Japan is mountainous
- Japans longest mountain range is the Japanese Alps
- Japans highest peak is Mt. Fuji ( 12,388 ft )
- Japan lies in the ring of fire where almost 200 volcanoes are active!
- Japan lacks many mineral and energy resources
- Japan must import most minerals and resources
Map of Japan
Korea
Remained mostly isolatedlexcept for Chinese/Japanese invasions
Early 20th Century, Japan annexed Korea
Japanese controls Korea until end of WWII
Korea divided:
Division along 38th Parallel (38˚ N latitude)
North--communist
South--democratic
1950 --- North Korea invades South Korea
UN/US troops sent to defend South Korea
China sent troops to defend North Korea
RESULTS: North Koreans pushed back(1)
Armistice/truce(2) ended fighting
Set up DMZ --- demilitarized zone(3)
Truce line
150 miles long, 2.5 miles wide
Most fortified/tense borders in world
Kim Jong Un is currently to ruler of North Korea
Economy
North Korea:
Communist country with command economy
Led by Kim Jong Un
Most people are poor and lack food
Has nuclear weapons
South Korea:
Constitutional republic w/ market economy
Profit from shipbuilding, steel, automobiles, textiles, and electronics
Makes Hyundai, Samsung, and LG products
Capital is Seoul
Largest city in S. Korea
Hosted 1988 Summer Olympics and 2002 FIFA World Cup
Natural Enviroment
- Korean Peninsula
- 600 miles long
- Same size as Utah
- Mostly hills/low mts
Most people in the Koreas live on a coastal plain on the west coast