If you had the chance to peek into an alternate history, where one major historical event didn’t happen, how would the world be different? One of the biggest turning points in modern history, World War II, is usually presented as Europe’s battle against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan between 1939 and 1945, but it could have been different if things had gone differently before that date. For example, if Britain or France had invaded China in 1894 and ruled it up until 1945, what would China look like now?
How Westerners View Chinese Culture
Today, China is one of the most populous and powerful countries in the world. But if France or Britain had colonized the country for 105 years, as they did with Indochina, China would look very different today. Westerners view Chinese culture as mysterious and inscrutable, but there are many aspects of Chinese culture that are actually quite understandable. For example, the importance of family and filial piety, Confucianism, and the Chinese language itself.
How Chinese View French and British Culture
The French and British cultures are very different from the Chinese culture. The Chinese people view the French as being more open and accepting, while they view the British as being more reserved. The Chinese also believe that the French are more passionate about their work, while the British are more level-headed. Overall, the Chinese view both cultures as being great, but they prefer the French culture because it is more similar to their own.
Timeline of How Colonialism Impacted China
1839-1842: The First Opium War was fought between China and the British Empire. The British won, and as a result, China was forced to open its ports to British trade and cede Hong Kong to the British.
1856-1860: The Second Opium War was fought between China and a coalition of the British Empire, France, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The Allies won and forced China to accept an indemnity of 600 million taels of silver for indemnities due in relation to the two Opium Wars.
1934-1945: Chinese Civil War – A war between Nationalists (led by Chiang Kai-shek) and Communists (led by Mao Zedong). The Nationalists were defeated, but they withdrew their forces from mainland China onto Taiwan where they established their government on March 1st 1949.
Modern Day Examples Show That Colonialism Can Still Hurt Populations Today
Despite the fact that it has been many years since China was last colonized, there are still modern day examples that show how colonialism can hurt populations. For instance, the French Indochina War resulted in many casualties and left the country in a state of economic ruin. Additionally, China's Air Force was not established until 1949, well after other countries had already formed their own militaries. This delay put China at a disadvantage during World War II and other conflicts.
The Context - Why France And Britain Decided To Go To War In The First Place (With Notes On Why They Might Have Lost)
In the late 1800s, both France and Britain were looking to expand their empires. They both had their eyes on China, which was rich in resources and had a large population that could be used for labor. The British were the first to enter China, with their sights set on Shanghai, Suzhou, and Beijing. However, they quickly found themselves outnumbered by Chinese forces and they lost all three cities (Shanghai (1842), Suzhou (1843), Beijing (1860)). A decisive victory against the Chinese would come at much higher cost than expected.