Research On Ryukyu Activities Of Britain Missionary Bettelheim

In mid and late 19th century, with the west power continues invading to the east, the traditional east Asia international order with the core of tributary system have been seriously impacted. After the opium war with the Qing dynasty defeated and forced to sign "Treaty of Nanking ",the British opened the portal of China and then turned sights to Japan on the east. Because of its special location near to Japan, Ryukyu was given great concern by the British people who sent many missionaries there. Among them, a British man, Bettelheim was a representative figure. During the eight years in Ryukyu, Bettelheim insist carrying out the task like preaching, translating the bible, giving free clinic aid and promoting vaccination therapy to Ryukyu for the first time in spite of the obstruct of Ryukyu royal household. For Bettelheim event, Loochoo, China and Japan applied different policies,which reveals the delicate relationship between three countries. About the leave of Bettelheim, the Qing imperial power and Britain launched a series of diplomatic negotiations which was failed. The process showed that the traditional tributary relation was not able do deal with the stiff challenge from the west and vulnerable.