Topic Overview:

After the Great Powers enforced the opening of the Japanese ports in the middle of the 50s of the 19th century most of the Great Powers followed a cautious policy. The statesmen in London, Washington, St. Petersburg and Paris were aware of the opportunities (especially economic) in Japan. However, they also appreciated the competition, which they had to challenge. Their diplomacy therefore carefully observed the internal situation of Japan, where the power and authority of the Tokugawa bakufu diminished. The British policy also had to challenge several crisis and problems connected with the anti-foreign movement, which culminated in a series of attacks against the British (and other foreign) nationals and their property. With regard to the fact, that these incidents were caused by the members of the anti-Shogunate clans, Britain initially tried to cooperate with the central government in Edo. France went even further and participated on the modernization of the Tokugawa army and supported the Shogunate government. However due to the policy of the bakufu, the British started to concentrate on the support of the anti-Tokugawa opposition. Britain and France therefore became rivals in Japan. This competition continued even during the first decades of the Meiji regime. In that time Britain contributed to the modernization of the Japanese fleet. France sent its army instructors to Japan and was engaged in the armament of the Japanese armed forces, although it had to challenge a competition of other European countries (especially Prussia) during this process. Both countries therefore significantly contributed to the modernization of Japan. On the other hand, other Great Powers had much more limited goals. The United States concentrated on their economic interest and Russia tried to gain territorial gains – especially the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin, Hokkaido and the islands in the Tsushima strait – which was hindered by Britain.  This project will therefore focus on the comparison of the influence and politics of the Great Powers in Japan in the second half of the 19th and the analysis of their interests and methods which they used to enforce them.

Tasks and Outcomes:

Depending on the agreement with the supervisor of the collaboration topic.
University of West Bohemia, Faculty of Philosophy and Arts, Department of Historical Sciences
The Great Powers and Japan in the Second Half of the 19th Century
Topic Overview:

The aim of this course is to present and evaluate selected basic problems related to the Imperial (particularly British-Dominion perspectives and attitudes) history of the British Empire in the 19th and 20th centuries. It will focus on selected domestic, imperial foreign policy and inter-imperial issues related to the history of Great Britain and its empire (especially crown colonies and Dominions), which in the period were important for its development (constitutional relations, colonial wars, overseas disputes etc.) and in relation to international events (organization after the First World War – Paris Peace Conference –, British American relations) and the challenges (nationalism, appeasement, decolonization process, international crisis and incidents etc.) it had to face.

Tasks and Outcomes:

Depending on the agreement with the supervisor of the collaboration topic.
University of West Bohemia, Faculty of Philosophy and Arts, Department of Historical Sciences
Selected Chapters from British Imperial History
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