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China

China. From Ming to Mao. A Different Encounter. In the late 1400s, the Europeans began to arrive off the coast of China. The Portuguese were the first British, French, Dutch followed The Europeans though encountered something new

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China

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  1. China From Ming to Mao

  2. A Different Encounter • In the late 1400s, the Europeans began to arrive off the coast of China. • The Portuguese were the first • British, French, Dutch followed • The Europeans though encountered something new • A culture that was as advanced technologically and centralised. • Paper, gunpowder, silk, porcelain, compass, steel

  3. A Different Approach • Unlike the civilisations they had encountered, the Europeans had no real edge over the Chinese. • The Chinese had immunity to the same diseases • Because of this, they needed to tread carefully in order to keep themselves in China.

  4. Why China • Europeans wanted to trade with the East. • Silk, spices, porcelain were luxury items worth their weight in gold • The traditional route for these items was along the silk route through Iran, Iraq and the Middle East • This had made them and the Italian city sates like Milan, Genoa, Venice wealthy • By the 1500s, Northern Europeans wanted to cut them out of the picture.

  5. A Peculiar Problem • With China, the Europeans experienced a marked trade imbalance • The Chinese did not want to buy any goods from the Europeans • This forced the Europeans to carry cash with them • The Chinese government also restricted their access • Europeans had to set up compounds and had to deal only with the local merchants and officials.

  6. A New Business • By the mid 1700s the British were the leading traders in the region. • They were frustrated with the restrictions • They found a solution • There was one thing the Chinese were willing to trade for: drugs

  7. Opium Wars • First Opium War (1839 - 1842) • Second Opium War (1856 - 1860) • By the end of the wars the British had: • Broken the compound system • Restricted government officials control • Made the Chinese government buy any surplus drugs brought into their country • Give land to the British outside of China (Hong Kong)

  8. European Dominance • Over the next 50 years the British and Americans repeatedly undermined the powers of the emperor. • All the major European powers were active in China trying to outdo each other in terms of trade shares as well as trying to restrict the trade of others. • By the end of the century many Chinese resented the increasing foreign influence.

  9. Boxer Rebellion • These “citizens” were collectively called boxers because of their martial arts training. • They were difficult to control as they were really a bunch of groups with different aims and goals – they were united in their dislike of foreigners. • In 1901, they pressured the Empress declared war.

  10. Europe’s Response • Should you encounter the enemy, he will be defeated! No quarter will be given! Prisoners will not be taken! Whoever falls into your hands is forfeited. Just as a thousand years ago the Huns under their King Attila made a name for themselves, one that even today makes them seem mighty in history and legend, may the name German be affirmed by you in such a way in China that no Chinese will ever again dare to look cross-eyed at a German. • Kaiser Wilhem II (Germany)

  11. Modern China • In 1912, the nationalist elements in China stripped the power from the emperor. • Pu Yi was only 6. • Republic was declared under Sun Yat-Sen who led the Kuomintang (KMT) • Sun Yat-Sen died in 1925 and the KMT was riven with power struggles • Two main factions • Chang Kai Shek (KMT) • Mao Zeng Dong (Communists)

  12. Open Door Policy • In the wake of the Boxer Rebellion the United States pushed for new concessions from China • Teddy Roosevelt demanded that ALL nations had the right to exploit China. • The US took a more dominant role in China • 1922 Washington Conference – restrictions on Japan • US was in charge until 1949

  13. Civil War • The KMT spent the next 5 years trying to defeat the communists • Chang recieved support from the US and Europeans in the form of military aid – for a price. • The was was put on hold in 1931 when the Japanese invaded

  14. Anti – Imperialism • By the 1930s there was a growing dis-satisfaction in China with the relationship between Chang Kai Shek and the West • This opposition coalesced around the Communists led by Mao Zedong • Initially Mao drew support from the urban intellectuals • Most support was in the rural areas and the urban poor • During WWII the two agreed to a “truce” • After 1945 they started fighting again • By 1949 Mao had won • Mao immediately restricted the opium trade and western influence.

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