Question

Write an essay that compares and contrasts the ways in which China and Japan responded to the west

Answer 1

In the 19th century, after a long period of isolationism, China and then Japan came under pressure from the West to open to foreign trade and relations. The Industrial Revolution in Europe and the United States had created a wide gap between them and the West, leaving the two Asian nations behind technologically and military. In that period, neither of them had the power to stand up to the Western nations, and eventually both had to sign unequal treaties that forced them to open their ports and cities to foreign merchants.

Answer 2

japan, which is open to trade, and more open to dealing with the west on a more personal basis, and unfortunately is adopting a lot of western 'tastes', china, on the other hand, although they do some trading with the west, do it more at arm's length, is more xenophobic as a whole, and is trying to keep western ideals at bay.  here are some ideas for the essay!