The Spirit of Bandung: A Summary of the Bandung Declaration of 1955

Representatives and leaders from 29 countries convened in the Merdeka Building in Bandung, Indonesia upon the invitation of the Colombo Powers to unite newly independent countries to form a third block of neutral countries in conflict between 2 superpowers. At the end of the conference, they released the Bandung final communiqué – the conclusion of the 6-day event.

Who attended the Bandung Conference?

The Asia-Africa Conference of 1955 or the Bandung Conference saw the attendance of the 5 Colombo powers and 24 representatives from different Asian and African countries.

Plennary Hall of the Bandung Conference

What happened in the Bandung Conference?

In the midst of the Cold War, a battle of ideology between the United States and the Soviet Union, the world’s young and new nations of Asia and Africa fell victim to the rivalry of the two superpowers. They decided to take a stand in April 1955 in a conference in Bandung, Indonesia.

Merdeka Building during the 1955 Asian-African Conference

Rollo and the Foundation of Normandy

Normans and Normandy changed world history. They testified to the openness of the Vikings to assimilate yet maintained their ferocity in battle that brought them success in many areas. And it all began with one Viking leader named Rollo. Explore how Rollo founded Normandy?

What are the Causes of the Yom Kippur War?

At 2pm of October 6, 1973, while Israel observed Yom Kippur, Egyptian guns bombarded Israeli forts along the Suez Canal, while the Syrians attacked Israeli positions within the Golan Heights. The surprise attacks signaled the start of the Arab-Israeli War known as the Yom Kippur War or Ramadan War in Arab states. But what led the two Arab countries to attack Israel? What drove them into starting another conflict in a highly volatile region?

Documents in History: 1864 Geneva Convention

In 1864, representatives of several European countries, including the major continental powers France and Prussia, met in Geneva to sign a convention that laid down the framework to which the Red Cross started to operate. Explore its contents bellow.

Remembering: The Foundation of the Red Cross

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.”

- Francis of Assisi

Documents in History: 1862 London Protocol

With rising unpopularity of foreigners in Japan, causing violence, the Tokugawa Shogunate and the British government agreed in 1862 to postpone of the opening of the designated ports of the 1858 Anglo-Japanese Commercial Treaty. Explore the contents of the agreement bellow.

Document in History: 1858 Regulations under which American Trade is to be conducted in Japan

In 1858, the Harris Treaty opened Japan further to Americans. Alongside the treaty came regulations for the expanding Japan-US trade. Explore the attached regulations to the Harris Treaty bellow.

Documents in History: 1858 Harris Treaty

In 1858, First American Consul to Japan, Townsend Harris negotiated a treaty of amity and commerce with the Japanese Bakufu. Months of intense negotiations resulted to what became known as the Harris Treaty signed on July 29, 1858. Explore its contents bellow.

Documents in History: Supplementary Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between Russia and Japan

The Treaty of Shimoda opened Japan for Russia, but in 1857, the Russians expanded their relations with the Japanese with a supplementary treaty.

Documents in History: 1857 Additional Articles to the Treaty of Commerce between the Netherlands and Japan

The Dutch, after Perry's departure, negotiated and signed a treaty in 1856 with the Japanese expanding its activities beyond Dejima and into the whole of Nagasaki. In 1857, Donker Curtius, head of the Dutch enclave negotiated additional articles that expanded further Dutch influence, including the addition of the status of most favored state. Explore the contents of this 1857 treaty bellow.

The Bakumatsu (Part 13): Summing Up

With the end of the Boshin War and the Shogunate, Japan moved forward with the Emperor as the sole symbol of the new nation of Japan. Explore the effects of the Bakumatsu and the Boshin War to the history of the Land of the Rising Sun.

The Bakumatsu (Part 12): End of Boshin War

With the Battle of Toba-Fushimi and the fall of Osaka, the Boshin War was on its climax. Explore the following battles and events in this short but momentous segment in Japanese modern history.

The Bakumatsu (Part 11): Early Boshin War

The Boshin War was a short dramatic chapter in Japanese history where the ancient old Tokugawa Shogunate, or at least, its clan and allies, fought for its dignity against imperial restoration and abolition of their privileges and wealth. Explore this conflict that decided Japan’s destiny.

The Bakumatsu (Part 10): Shogunate of Yoshinobu

Hitotsubashi Keiki or Yoshinobu ascended as the 15th Tokugawa Shogun in 1867 in the midst of declining power and prestige of the Bakufu after centuries of domination. Explore Yoshinobu’s Shogunate before it ended with a civil war that changed Japan’s history.

The Bakumatsu (Part 9): Satsuma-Choshu Alliance

Tokugawa Shogunate’s second expedition failed due to lack of support from other Domains in addition to a secret alliance unknown to Edo. Explore the creation of this secret alliance between Choshu and Satsuma that led the collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

The Bakumatsu (Part 8): Diplomatic Developments

While the Bakufu prepared for its war against Choshu, they suddenly faced a diplomatic crisis, which freed them from the payment of a huge indemnity but in return of another batch of painful concessions. Explore these developments that virtually ended the Jo-i.

The Bakumatsu (Part 7): Choshu Expeditions

After their failed coup in Kyoto, Choshu leaders faced a punitive expedition from the Shogunate, mandated by Emperor Komei. Explore the Choshu Expeditions meant to weaken the rebellious Daimiate instead further weakened the Bakufu.

The Bakumatsu (Part 6): Choshu Domain

Choshu Domain violently closed the vital Shimonoseki Strait as a result of the Order to Expel the Barbarians. The Bakufu in Edo, meanwhile, took the order more cautiously by choosing diplomacy to close the treaty ports. The order resulted to friction between the Sakoku and the Kaikoku parties in the country. Explore these shock waves that hit Japan.