what single factor-geography, culture or economics- best explains why japan and china were not colonized by europeans in the same way as was africa?

I think it was culture. What do you think?

The single factor that best explains why Japan and China were not colonized by Europeans in the same way as Africa is culture.

To understand this, we need to consider the historical context and the differences in geography, culture, and economics between these regions.

1. Geography: One could argue that geography played a part, as Japan and China are located farther away from Europe than Africa. However, this factor alone does not fully explain the difference in colonization.

2. Economics: Africa was colonized primarily due to the economic motivations of European powers, such as exploiting its vast natural resources and establishing trade routes. This economic incentive was not as strong in Japan and China, as they both had long-established civilizations with their own rich resources and well-developed trade networks.

3. Culture: The influence of culture is the key factor that sets Japan and China apart. Both countries had well-established and strong cultural identities, deeply rooted in their history, traditions, and institutions. Their cultures were highly organized and resistant to foreign influence, especially during the time period of European colonial expansion in Africa.

In the case of Japan, it pursued a policy of isolation called Sakoku, which limited foreign contact. This policy, in addition to its strong feudal system known as the shogunate, created a barrier against European colonization attempts.

China also had a long-standing and sophisticated bureaucracy, a powerful emperor, and a deeply ingrained Confucian societal structure. These cultural factors acted as a shield against European colonization efforts.

The combination of strong cultural identity, well-developed institutions, and resistance to foreign influence played a significant role in preventing European colonization in Japan and China. This contrasts with Africa, where European powers were largely successful in subjugating indigenous populations and gaining control due to weaker cultural and institutional resistance.

Understanding these historical and cultural factors helps us to explain why Japan and China were not colonized in the same way as Africa by Europeans.