The Opium Wars

The Opium War was a conflict between Britain and China which lasted for about 3 years and was over Britain's trade of opium in China. The opium wars stared because the Chinese did not like that Britain was selling to a drug that did much harm and was even illegal in Great Britain. So, they tried to put a stop to this but Britain did not like the idea and started a war. Of course Britain won because they were more advanced and had strong firepower over China. China not only lost but had to make the drug legal and lost much territory.

"The White Man's Burden"

The poem is trying to say that white people rule because they feel that they have to do it. They think that they have to be more superior than others, that they have to be the best. Yes, I do believe that the US is still imperialistic today. They are still living the white man's burden today. A great example of that is what is going on in Iraq. The US is taking it over and destroying it little by little.

The Meiji Restoration of Japan

Mattew Perry " bullied " the Japanese into signing a trade treaty because after what Britain had done to China they kind of isolated themselves. The negotiations been Perry and the Japanesse were considered bulling because Perry used his advance ships to try to scare the Japanesse. Perry's ships that used no sails is what impresses the Japanesse. After a revolution in Japan a young boy who was renamed Meiji became the new emporer of Japan. Japan started to adapt to western ways and customs.