18 - Asia

Summary

This chapter explains Asian legacy and impact on their history and the development of their nations in the First World War literature. It highlights the multi-layered involvements and perspectives of various Asian nations on that great seminal catastrophe of the twentieth century. First, the chapter reviews the diplomatic, social, political, cultural and military histories of China, Vietnam, India and Japan in a comparative way by focusing on the shared experiences, aspirations and frustrations of people from across the region. As a rising power in Asia, Japan was determined to become a leading player in international politics, but Japan's efforts faced some resistance from the Western powers. China, a partisan on the side of the victors, was treated like one of the vanquished at the post-war Peace Conference. The sea changes that had taken place occurred to a great-extent because of war experiences and broad dissatisfaction with the Paris Peace Conference.