How Did The Western Influence Russia During The 19th And Early 20th Century

During the 19th and early 20th century, western Europe was the dominant force in the world. Western influence spread like a wildfire, filled with ideas of industrialization, western cultures, practices, and political structures, and brilliant technology. Merchants, diplomats, and many others travelled around the world to share their influence and knowledge. The West’s neighbors, Russia and China, and also Japan soon felt the presence of the West trickling further into their countries than it previously had. Each had its own unique response to the Western penetration from 1800 to 1914. Russia was not new to Western influences. They had previous connections, unlike Japan and China, who remained isolated to themselves. In fact, early in
However, Napoleon’s 1812 invasion of Russia tainted the possibility of a Western model. Conservatives called for a renewed isolation and the continuation of practices like serfdom in order to obtain stability. Defending the traditional Russian culture caused tensions, as the ruling elite and radical liberals had continuous fascination with the West’s culture and started revolts, like the Decembrist uprising. This caused tsar Nicholas I to restrict Western influence. Russia had turned to increased conservatism, even more than they had in the 18th century. In contrast, China initially responded as it always had: immediate repulsion. They continued to be ethnocentric and decided that the Western merchants were “barbaric” and backwards, even though it was quite the opposite. That was, until the British brought opium to trade. Chinese trade with the British sky-rocketed and soon the elite Chinese were high off opium, unable to function properly. This resulted in the Opium War in 1839, blocking trading in Canton and destroying opium, ultimately losing the battle but angering the British. Chaos in China and Russia had begun as a result of
A group of radical intelligentsia became increasingly active. They wanted political freedom and deep social reform while maintaining a Russian culture, similar to the Japanese. Radical anarchists wanted to abolish all formal government. Alexander II tried to go back to conservatism when things got too radical but failed as he was assassinated by a terrorist bomb. Russia fell under the influence of Marxist leader Lenin, who initiated the spread of international capitalism and a promise of the rise of a proletariat class. His followers were known as Bosheviks. Russian workers had become even more radical than the West. Revolution became even more inevitable when Russia lost a chance at Korea in the Russo-Japanese war. This caused even more chaos, leading into World War I in 1914. Russia had gone from isolation to extreme radicalism and communism, a problem that was not present in Japan nor China. In China, at the end of the 19th century, the Qing Dynasty was crumbling and sons of the scholar-gentry and merchants were involved in secret society operations. Although an all-China rising failed due to ignorance and personal anatomies, change had finally become inevitable for the once isolated and powerful China. In 1912, the last emperor of China, Puyi, was disposed. Similar to Russia, China was in chaos as a result of Western interferences. On the other hand, Japan, they continued to be very