Western imperialism in Asia

In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias rounded the southern tip of Africa under the sponsorship of Portugal's John II. His crew forced him to turn back before noticing that the coast swung northeast toward the Cape of Good Hope. By 1497, Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama made the first open voyage from Europe to India. This journey broke centuries of Arab and Italian monopoly over trade between Asia and Europe. The Portuguese strategy relied on military force rather than settlement. Afonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa in 1510, establishing a fortified base for controlling Indian Ocean commerce. He also captured Malacca in 1511, which became the springboard for further eastward penetration into the Moluccas or Spice Islands. These early expeditions introduced firearms and Christianity to Japan while creating a maritime empire centered on strategic coastal forts. The Portuguese held Macau until 1999 when China reclaimed it through treaty negotiations.

Rise Of The Dutch East India Company

The Dutch East India Company formed as a cartel in 1602 after competing companies united to finance trading expeditions in Asia. It received government authorization to colonize territory stretching from the Cape of Good Hope eastward to the Strait of Magellan. Armed Dutch merchants captured the Portuguese fort at Amboyna in 1605, developing it into their first secure base. Over time, they drove the Portuguese out of Malacca in 1641 and Ceylon in 1658. By 1669, the company was the richest private entity in history with tens of thousands of employees and a private army. Their headquarters sat at Batavia on Java, now Jakarta. The VOC established outposts in Persia, Bengal, Mauritius, Siam, Guangzhou, Taiwan, and southern India. Ming dynasty China defeated them in multiple conflicts including the Battle of Liaoluo Bay in 1633. Zheng Chenggong expelled the Dutch from Taiwan in 1662 after defeating them at Fort Zeelandia. The company dissolved in 1799 due to financial difficulties following wars with England.

When did Bartolomeu Dias round the southern tip of Africa under Portugal's John II?

Bartolomeu Dias rounded the southern tip of Africa in 1488. His crew forced him to turn back before noticing that the coast swung northeast toward the Cape of Good Hope.

What year did the Dutch East India Company dissolve due to financial difficulties following wars with England?

The Dutch East India Company dissolved in 1799 due to financial difficulties following wars with England. The company was once the richest private entity in history with tens of thousands of employees and a private army.

On what date did Indian troops called sepoys initiate an uprising after rumors spread about their bullet cartridges?

Indian troops called sepoys initiated an uprising on the 10th of May 1857 after rumors spread that their bullet cartridges were lubricated with pig and cow fat. The mutiny ended dual control between government and company transferring political responsibilities to the Crown in 1858.

Which treaties gave Russia direct borders with Persia's heartlands and Ottoman Turkey's territories during the early 19th century?

Treaties of Gulistan in 1813 and Turkmenchay in 1828 gave Russia direct borders with Persia's heartlands and Ottoman Turkey's territories. These victories occurred after Russo-Persian Wars ending with these specific agreements.

When did China sign the Treaty of Nanking ceding Hong Kong Island opening ports like Shanghai and Guangzhou?

China signed the Treaty of Nanking in 1842 losing decisively by 1842 signing Treaty of Nanking ceding Hong Kong Island opening ports like Shanghai and Guangzhou. This event marked the conclusion of the First Opium War beginning in 1839.

Japanese Modernization And Regional Hegemony

Commodore Matthew Perry sailed squadron black-hulled warships into Edo harbor the 8th of July 1853 refusing Japanese request sail Nagasaki presenting letter President Millard Fillmore demanding concessions. Japanese authorities responded stating couldn't present letter directly emperor scheduling meeting July 14 representative emperor squadron sailed shore demonstrating cannon firepower thirteen times landing Marines presenting letter. Perry returned with more war ships leading Japan's concession Convention Kanagawa the 31st of March 1854 conferring extraterritoriality American nationals opening treaty ports beyond Nagasaki followed similar treaties UK Netherlands Russia France making Japanese aware lacking technologically needing industrialism strength keep power. Meiji Restoration 1868 led administrative overhaul deflation rapid economic development limited natural resources seeking overseas markets raw materials fuelling imperial conquest beginning defeat China 1895 Taiwan ceded Qing dynasty became first colony. Japan won agreements great powers abandon extraterrality citizens alliance United Kingdom established 1902 international power spectacular defeat Russia navy 1905 giving southern half Sakhalin exclusive influence Korea former Russian lease Liaodong Peninsula Port Arthur extensive rights Manchuria Joseon dynasty formed bilateral diplomatic relations 1876 China lost suzerainty Korea after Sino-Japanese War 1894 Russia lost influence Korean peninsula Treaty Portsmouth resulting Russo-Japanese War 1904. Korea protectorate Japan Japan-Korea Treaty 1905 de jure annexed Japan-Korea Treaty 1910 entered World War I side Allies seizing German-occupied Kiaochow demanding Chinese acceptance Twenty-One Demands 1915 Mass protests Peking 1919 sparked nationalism coupled Allied opinion leading abandonment demands Kiaochow's return China 1922 received German territory Versailles Tensions increased over 1920s 1931 Kwantung Army seized Manchuria without admission Tokyo full-scale war mid-1937 drawing toward overambitious bid Asian hegemony Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere ultimately leading defeat loss overseas territories.

Western imperialism in Asia

Rise Of The Dutch East India Company

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Common questions

When did Bartolomeu Dias round the southern tip of Africa under Portugal's John II?

What year did the Dutch East India Company dissolve due to financial difficulties following wars with England?

On what date did Indian troops called sepoys initiate an uprising after rumors spread about their bullet cartridges?

Which treaties gave Russia direct borders with Persia's heartlands and Ottoman Turkey's territories during the early 19th century?

When did China sign the Treaty of Nanking ceding Hong Kong Island opening ports like Shanghai and Guangzhou?

British Consolidation In India

The Great Game And Russian Expansion

Unequal Treaties And Chinese Humiliation

American Imperialism In The Pacific

Japanese Modernization And Regional Hegemony

Decolonization And Post-War Geopolitics