Who established colonies in the East?
The Dutch and the French formed their own East India companies. Like Britain’s East India Company these trading organizations became immensely rich. The Dutch were very successful in the East, establishing colonies in modern Indonesia. In addition, the Dutch were for many years the only foreign traders allowed into Japan, which kept itself separate from the rest of the world. There were numerous minor wars between the British, Dutch and French in South-east Asia during the 1800s.
Did Japan plan an empire?
Japan had been closed to foreigners for hundreds of years, but in the 1500s Portuguese traders began to arrive, followed by Spanish missionaries. These traders introduced both Christianity and guns to Japanese society. With the use of these guns the traditional Samurai warriors were overcome and a shogun was appointed, who planned a Japanese empire that would include China.
The Japanese forces unsuccessfully invaded Korea twice during the 1500s. They did not achieve their empire until the early 20th century, when the Japanese finally conquered Korea.
How did Britain originally gain control of Hong Kong?
For centuries China was a closed country, and foreigners were not encouraged to explore it. European traders smuggled huge amounts of opium into China so that people became addicted, paying for the opium with silver. The Chinese government tried to stop the opium trade, and the British sent the navy to threaten them. From 1839 to 1842 the British and Chinese fought over access to the Chinese ports. The Chinese were defeated and the British forced them to grant trading rights. Five ports were opened and Hong Kong Island became a British colony. In 1898 Britain was given Hong Kong on a 99 year lease, during which time it became a hugely successful centre of finance and trade.
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