The Asian Century

A History of Modern Nationalism in Asia

Jan Romein

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN:
  9780520364950
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9780520322745
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: Political Campaigns & Elections
• Index: Politics & International Relations

The Asian Century: A History of Modern Nationalism in Asia examines the transformation of Asia from a region defined by disparate cultural traditions to one unified by its response to Western imperialism and its revolutionary embrace of modernity. The author argues that until the 19th century, Asia lacked a cohesive history, fragmented into Islamic, Hindu-Buddhist, and Sinic cultural spheres with limited interaction. However, European dominance from the 19th century onward imposed a new unity, catalyzing a revolutionary period of political independence, social transformation, and scientific and technological progress. The book traces Asia's rediscovery of its own identity through its engagement with Europe, highlighting the pivotal 20th-century movements that ended colonial rule and set the stage for modernization. Central to this narrative are the revolutionary changes in Japan, China, India, and other nations, which embraced science, reformed social structures, and pursued political sovereignty. The impact of the Russian Revolution and Soviet influence also played a critical role in shaping modern Asian societies. While acknowledging the destructive legacy of colonialism, the author also recognizes the infrastructure, education, and administrative frameworks introduced by imperial powers as factors that facilitated Asia's modernization. The study integrates perspectives from across the continent, including Soviet Asia, and emphasizes the ongoing challenge of creating a global unity that transcends historical antagonisms. Ultimately, the work views the Asian revolution not only as a regional awakening but as a significant step toward the unification of humanity and a more equitable global order. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1962.

Many titles in the Voices Revived program are also newly available as ebooks, offered at a discounted price to support wider access to scholarly work.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• FOREWORD
• AUTHOR’S PREFACE
• CONTENTS
• I THE ASIA OF THE CENTURIES
• II INVASION FROM THE WEST
• III RELIGION AND NATIONALISM
• IV THE POLITICAL AND SOCIAL REVOLUTION
• V GEOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL DIVISIONS
• I THE TURKISH EMPIRE
• II THE JAPANESE EMPIRE
• II THE CHINESE EMPIREI
• IV INDIA-PAKISTAN
• V KOREA. FORMOSA. THE PHILIPPINES AND INDONESIA
• VI INDOCHINA, MALAYA, THAILAND AND BURMA
• VII AFGHANISTAN AND IRAN
• VIII THE ARAB COUNTRIES
• IX EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN
• THE FIRST WORLD WAR
• THE TURKISH EMPIRE
• THE ARAB COUNTRIES
• IV THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE
• V JAPAN,CHINA,MONGOLIA AND KOREA
• VI THAILAND. INDIA-PAKISTAN, INDONESIA, INDOCHINA, MALAYA, PERSIA AND AFGHANISTAN
• II JAPAN
• III TURKEY
• IV THE ARAB COUNTRIES(i)
• V THE ARAB COUNTRIES(ii)
• VI EGYPT
• VII Iran And Afghanistan
• VII CHINA (i)
• IX CHINA(ii)
• X THE PHILIPPINES AND INDONESIA
• XI INDOCHINA, MALAYA AND THAILAND
• XII INDIA-PAKISTAN (i)
• XIII INDIA-PAKISTAN (ii) ANDBURMA
• I THE SECOND WORLD WAR: A GENERAL VIEW
• II THE SECOND WORLD WAR IN AFRICA
• III IRAN AND AFGHANISTAN
• IV INDIA-PAKISTAN
• V BURMA,THAILAND,INDOCHINA AND MALAYA
• VI INDONESIA AND THE PHILIPPINES
• VII CHINA
• VIII JAPAN AND THE SECOND WORLD WAR
• I ASIA AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR
• II CHINA,KOREA AND INDOCHINA
• III INDIA PAKISTAN,BURMA AND CEYLON
• INDONESIA AND THAILAND
• V JAPAN AND THE PHILIPPINES
• ISRAEL AND THE ARAB LEAGUE SYRIA. THE LEBANON. JORDAN
• VIII EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN
• CHINA
• III INDIA
• IV SOUTHEAST ASIA AND JAPAN
• V THE ARAB WORLD
• CHRONOLOGICAL SURVEY (COMPILED BY DR J. M. PLUVIER)
• INDEX OF PERSONS
• INDEX OF PLACES