The introduction of WW Chapter 19 was quite disturbing. People make mistakes, and it is normal to be ashamed of them, but the important thing is to move forward and learn from these mistakes. Japan is basically lying to the world by publishing textbooks that “…distort history and attempt to cover the truth [of Nanjing Massacre].” Japan can no longer change what happened in Nanjing, but the least they could do is admit to their wrong doing by speaking the truth, allowing textbooks to hold factual information.
China was obviously furious, for they were the victims in the massacre. I too would be furious if our textbooks had not mentioned the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, or how Spain took over the Philippines. Koreans also expressed anger with Japan, for they started sexual slavery for militants. This situation reminds me of the Holocaust and how some still insist that it did not happen, despite the pictorial evidences and survivor stories.
This chapter focuses on Europe’s imperialism and how European countries tried to influence and pressure China, the Ottoman Empire, and Japan. Because Europe was seen as “the center of the world’s economy” with its global expansion, they kind of put themselves on a pedestal. They thought highly of themselves and saw other races as inferior. They came with the conclusion that whites’ skulls were larger, and therefore, they possess more knowledge than those of other races. This gives the implication that intelligence is based on the size of one’s skull. I’m pretty sure that most no longer think this way, but it’s funny. There are kid geniuses that have college degrees that probably have developing skulls.
Another disturbing topic of this chapter is China and Britain’s trade of Opium. Europe just destroyed China with the smuggling of Opium into the country. First off, because it was illegal, there was an uprising of corruption. To pay for the opium, China had to give up a good amount of silver, which led to economic problems. This imbalance of trade resulted in many addicts.
When the Emperor expelled opium imports from China, Britain went against them and called it a violation of property rights. This resulted in the Opium War and the Chinese signing treaties that did not benefit them at all. They had a $21 million debt to Britain, were forced to open ports for trade, lower taxes, and Britain even destroyed the emperor’s summer palace for more ports after the second Opium War.
The world hasn’t changed much though, people are still power hungry.
Oh, and another side note! It’s quite sad, but I’ve always been confused about the exact location of the Ottoman Empire. Thanks to map 19.2 found on page 572, I now know this information (or at least its boundaries in 1800).
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