Final answer:
Commodore Matthew Perry's visit to Japan in 1853 led to the Treaty of Kanagawa and the subsequent modernization of Japan through the Meiji Restoration. The Opium War and the Taiping Rebellion significantly affected China by increasing foreign influence and contributing to social and economic instability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impact of Commodore Matthew Perry's Visit to Japan
In July 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry from the United States navy arrived in Japan with his fleet, ushering in a significant shift in Japanese foreign policy. Perry's gunboat diplomacy and his considerable naval force resulted in the Treaty of Kanagawa on March 31, 1854, which opened up Japan to the West. This treaty established a U.S. consulate and opened two Japanese ports to American ships, marking the end of Japan's period of isolation. This move also paved the way for the Meiji Restoration, where Japan actively started to embrace Western technology and knowledge to modernize its society and military. Within the span of a few decades, Japan rapidly industrialized and began to participate in the imperial game, creating its own sphere of influence in the region.
Opium War and Taiping Rebellion in China
The Opium War (1839-1842) was caused by the British practice of trading opium for Chinese goods, leading to widespread addiction in China and a negative balance of trade for the Qing dynasty. The war resulted in China signing the Treaty of Nanking, ceding Hong Kong to Britain and opening several treaty ports to foreign trade. The Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864), led by Hong Xiuquan, was a massive civil war against the Qing dynasty, partly due to the disenchantment of the Chinese with their government's inability to resist foreign encroachments. This rebellion eventually failed but left China weakened and vulnerable to further foreign influence.