Bentley Ch. 31 Societies At Crossroads: Modernization

The correct answer suggests that the working conditions of the growing Russian industrial class in St. Petersburg and Moscow were terrible and left the workers receptive to revolutionary propaganda. This implies that the workers faced harsh and unfavorable conditions, which made them more susceptible to radical ideas and movements that aimed to bring about change in the socio-economic system.

The key to social reform in Russia was the emancipation of the serfs. This is because the serfs were a large portion of the population and their liberation from serfdom was a crucial step towards creating a more equal and just society. The emancipation of the serfs allowed them to own land, engage in economic activities, and have more control over their own lives. It also paved the way for other social reforms and changes in Russia, such as the modernization of agriculture and industry.

The Meiji reformers actively copied the western Europeans and Americans because they understood the danger of those two groups and wanted to find a way to avoid commercial and/or imperial domination by either one. This suggests that the Meiji reformers recognized the advancements and power of the western Europeans and Americans and saw the need to adopt their methods in order to protect Japan's sovereignty and independence. By learning from these groups, the Meiji reformers aimed to strengthen Japan and prevent it from being dominated or controlled by foreign powers.

The correct answer is "distrust among the foreign powers". This means that the foreign powers did not trust each other enough to completely divide up China into spheres of influence. This lack of trust prevented them from fully exerting their control over China.

During the period from 1500 to 2000, the large number of languages that became extinct can be attributed to both increased contact among formerly isolated groups and increased human migrations into already populated areas of the earth. The interaction between different groups and the movement of people into new areas led to the spread and dominance of certain languages, causing the decline and eventual extinction of others that were not easily translatable or adaptable to these changes.

During the Opium War, the British threat to the Grand Canal was the decisive point. The Grand Canal was a vital transportation route for goods in China, and by threatening to block it, the British put significant pressure on the Chinese government. This threat disrupted trade and caused economic instability, which ultimately weakened China's position in the war. By targeting such a crucial aspect of China's infrastructure, the British were able to gain a strategic advantage and force China to negotiate a peace treaty.

The Meiji Restoration was a period of major political and social reforms in Japan in the late 19th century. It aimed to modernize and strengthen Japan to catch up with Western powers. One of the foundations of the Meiji Restoration was abolishing the old feudal order, which aimed to dismantle the traditional samurai class and redistribute land. Another foundation was reorganizing the Japanese army and navy to create a modern military force. Additionally, revamping the tax system was another key aspect of the Meiji Restoration, aiming to create a more efficient and equitable taxation system. However, turning Japan into a constitutional republic was not one of the foundations of the Meiji Restoration. Instead, the Meiji government implemented a constitutional monarchy, with the emperor as the symbolic head of state while the government was run by a group of oligarchs.

In the nineteenth century, Russia experienced a series of military defeats that contributed to the beginning of the social reform movement. These defeats, such as the Crimean War and the Russo-Japanese War, exposed the weaknesses and backwardness of the Russian Empire. They led to a sense of national humiliation and a recognition that reforms were necessary in order to modernize and strengthen the country. The military defeats acted as a catalyst for social reform, prompting the government to implement changes in various aspects of Russian society, including the legal system, education, and serfdom.

The Young Turks were a political reform movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the Ottoman Empire. They advocated for universal suffrage, the emancipation of women, and free public education as leading principles. However, they did not prioritize Islam as the guiding principle in public life, as they sought to modernize and secularize the empire.

The correct answer is that the 1905 Bloody Sunday massacre led to the establishment of the Duma in Russia. The massacre, which occurred when peaceful protesters were shot by Russian soldiers, sparked widespread unrest and dissatisfaction with the autocratic rule of Tsar Nicholas II. In response to the public outcry, the Tsar was forced to make concessions and establish the Duma, which was the first elected legislative body in Russia. While the massacre had significant impacts in other countries as well, such as the rise of the Young Turks in the Ottoman Empire, it is most closely associated with the establishment of the Duma in Russia.

The social Darwinists believed that powerful nations were meant to dominate weaker societies. This belief was based on the idea that in the natural world, stronger individuals or species would dominate over weaker ones in order to ensure survival and progress. They applied this concept to human societies, arguing that powerful nations had a natural right to dominate and control weaker nations in order to maintain their own strength and advancement. This perspective justified imperialism and colonization as a means for powerful nations to exert their dominance and secure resources and territories.

Capitulations were not imposed on the Europeans by the Ottomans. Capitulations were actually imposed on the Ottomans by the Europeans. Capitulations were a series of agreements that granted Europeans certain privileges and exemptions from Ottoman laws and taxes. These agreements allowed for the establishment of tax-exempt banks and commercial enterprises, permitted foreign governments to levy duties on goods, and gave Europeans significant economic and legal advantages in the Ottoman Empire.

The Taiping Rebellion was a massive civil war in China during the mid-19th century. The rebellion aimed to overthrow the ruling Qing dynasty and establish a new order based on their principles. The principles of the Taiping Rebellion included abolishing the old feudal order, improving the educational system, and reorganizing the army and navy. However, turning Japan into a constitutional republic was not one of the principles of the Taiping Rebellion. This answer is incorrect because the Taiping Rebellion was focused on China, not Japan.

After the assassination of Alexander II, his successor Nicholas II championed oppression and police control. This can be inferred from the phrase "After the assassination of Alexander II" which implies a change in leadership and policies. The term "championed" suggests that Nicholas II actively supported and promoted oppression and police control. This aligns with the historical context of Nicholas II's reign, where he was known for his autocratic rule and the use of secret police to suppress dissent.

The answer suggests that both the Japanese and Americans were just as racist as the Europeans when it came to imperialism. This means that they also held prejudiced attitudes and discriminatory practices towards the people in their colonies. This challenges the notion that they were more tolerant and respectful towards their colonies compared to the Europeans.