China Responds to Pressure from the West

1. China Responds to Pressure from the West By Maddy Anthony

2. Pre-Imperialism • Led by Qing Empire • Most people in the world • Resists foreign influence- Isolated • Economy agriculture based • Spanish and Portugeese traders brought maize sweet potatoes and peanuts which led to a population boom • mining and manufacturing industries led to increase in jobs • Silver, salt, tin, iron and beautiful silks and high quality cotton were a few of the coveted products from the European nations

3. The Opium Wars • European merchants determined to find product Chinese would buy in large quantities • Opium- narcotic that is smoked- Chinese became addicted to this • Growing supply caused social, moral, and monetary problems • Britain (Queen Victoria) refused to stop selling • Wars began in 1839 • Took place mostly at sea • Chinese outdated ships were no match for British, so British won • Treaty of Nanjing was created- gave British the island of Hong Kong • Also grants US and other countries extraterritorial rights- exemption from chinese law at 4 chinese trade posts • Opium continues

4. Problems Increase • Population now 430 million by 1850 30% hungry • Chinese government corrupt • Opium addiction rising • Taiping Rebellion formed by Hong Xiuquan • Hong dreams of “a Heavenly Kingdom of great peace”

5. Taiping Rebellion • 1 million joined Rebellion mainly peasants • British and French fought against • By 1864 they crushed the 14 year rebellion • 20 million dead

6. China Wrestles with Reform • Dowager Empress Cixi resists change • Only backed self- strengthening movement in 1860s • Updated china’s education system, diplomatic servic and military • China sets up arsenals- by 1875 ammunition supply and storage facilities were largest in world • Ran by outsiders, chinese people didn’t back movement • Late 19th century foreign nations take advantage of this weakness and attacked China • Treaties lead to west control over economy • Sphere of Influence- a region in which the foregin nation controlled trade and investment • Open Door Policy- 1899 Chinas doors open to merchants of all nations. Protected both American rights and Chinese freedom from colonization

7. Boxer Rebellion • Society of Harmoniuos fists or Boxers resented Speacilpriveleges to foreigners and christainchineese • Campaign against Dowager Empress Cixi • Descended on Beijing in 1900, kept under seige for several months • 20,000 troops from Britian, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Russia, Japan, and US defeat Boxers • Despite loss, nationalism emerges

8. Reform • 1905- Dowager Empress sent Chinese officials on a world tour to study different operations • 1906- Based government on Japans Constitutional monarchy • Began reforms • Court established with full constitutional government by 1917

9. Effects of Imperialism Historical Modern Open Door Policy helped save China from being colonized Constitutional government based on Japans still used today Communist country • British Opium creates many addicts and causes social, political, and economic turmoil in China • Treaties initiated by other countries created unfair laws • Rebellions from Chinese

10. Social, Political, Economic Effects • Socially, China has developed a culture with strict behavior and high standards. China has the most populated nation in the World. • Politically, China has become communist and has strict laws. • Economically, at this point in time no economy is doing well. China has an agriculture based economy still.