China’s Decline

1. China’s Decline From Great Voyages to Great Destruction

2. Zheng He’s Voyages – 1405-1433

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K54hxWTlEZo&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=activehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K54hxWTlEZo&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

4. The Middle Kingdom • During Zheng He’s time, China was truly “the Middle Kingdom” • It was on the forefront of technology, exploration, philosophy, and was arguably the most successful empire of the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries. • As a method of comparison, Zheng He’s fleet carried 28,000 troops and between 50-300 ships across Asia over 60 years before Columbus sailed 3 ships and 90 men across the Atlantic

5. Chinese Technology

6. So how do we go from this…

7. To this?

8. No one reason • Just like any major change in civilizations, no one change can be responsible for China’s decline • It was a combination of many factors including: • Europe’s improvement • China’s Economic decline • Corruption • Trade • Lack of innovation • European interference • Differences in Chinese and Western Philosophy

9. Corruption The Chinese Examination System was one of the most important aspects of Chinese culture. It created a meritocracy in which people had a fair shot of becoming an official and becoming wealthy. Over time, the examination system became more and more corrupt which led to more and more incapable officials. This in turn disillusioned Chinese peasants to the fairness of the Chinese way of life.

10. The Tribute System • While Europe was entering an age of competition and mercantilism, China’s main method of trade was a system of tribute. • By demanding tribute from neighbors, China did not show interest in new technology and did not compete. • Because of this, China did not advance like its European competitors. Who really needs a giraffe?

11. The benefits of trade • Trade is a crucial part of advancing a culture. • Instead, China “turned inward” and refused to trade – believing that everything the empire needed could be created within its borders. • http://app.discoveryeducation.com/search?Ntt=opium+war

12. Lack of innovation • While China invented and developed the compass, paper, gunpowder, the clock, silk, porcelain, drilling technology, paper money, and a number of “advanced technologies”, they failed to truly utilize and improve them. • Instead, moveable printed type, rifle technology, the pocket watch, and other advanced ideas were developed in Europe • But why?

13. Philosophical Differences • Why China and the Western world developed at different speeds essentially comes down to two main ideas about development. • Chinese vs. Western philosophies • Trade and Competition • Trade and competition drove the small states in Europe to develop, while China did not. • Perhaps more importantly, Chinese and Western perspectives on society and advancement were crucial in how society functioned.

14. Philosophy Chinese Western • Legalism – do not question things and leaders • “the perfect past” – the ideal society is developing perfect relationships in the Confucian manner • The Dynastic system • Very little long term change • Things ought to stay the same • Socratic method – answer life’s questions through inquiry • “the future” – looking forward to find opportunity • Renaissance and Reformation • The Scientific Revolution • The French Revolution • Change in society

15. Consequences - • When Europeans began trade with China things could not have been better for the Middle Kingdom. • China had lots of tea and porcelain for Europe • Europe had to have silver to pay them • Foreigners were only allowed to trade in one city – Canton, now called Guangzhou. • Europe needed a way to balance things out or else lose all its silver – a breach of mercantilist doctrine

16. Opium • England quickly learned that China could be sold a new product – Opium • Derived from the poppy plant and grown on huge tracts of land in British India, Opium was an addictive drug which quickly pervaded Chinese society • This led to an expanding trade deficit as well as a further corrupting influence on Chinese society. • It was devastating to the Chinese government and they were hard pressed to stop it.

17. OPIUM WAREHOUSE IN INDIA, c. 1850

19. WAR!!! • Left with little diplomatic options (Europe was not about to stop selling a highly profitable product) in 1839 the Qing Dynasty tried to defeat the Europeans militarily.

22. Defeat • Facing superior firepower and advanced technology, the Chinese navy was no match for English gunboats. • The government was forced to sign a number of humiliating treaties. • In 1857, a second Opium War was fought and again China decisively lost. • More treaties followed

23. Unequal Treaties • These treaties, known as the unequal treaties led to the opening of China to new trade. • It also carved China into spheres of influence and granted extra-territorial rights to foreign citizens.

25. Unequal Treaties - Tianjin • All of China opened to European trade • And missionaries • European powers demand “spheres of influence” where they dominate.

26. Territorial Losses • With much of China carved into spheres of influence, other countries took land by force. • Japan annexed Formosa (Taiwan) and had eyes on Korea and Manchuria, while Russia took large parts of Northern China including Vladivostok and the Ussuri Territory

27. Further destabilization of the Q’ing dynasty: Tai ping rebellion – 1851-1866 • Hong Xiuquan claimed to be Jesus’ younger brother.

28. TAIPING ARMY • (600,000 men, 500,000 women) • Fanatical • Disciplined • Devoted • (“…willing to die without hesitation in God's cause against demonic forces.”) (www.wsu.edu:8080/)

29. One God: Christian Correct evils of Chinese society Monogamy Land reform Equitable taxation Public ownership BELIEFS (know 2):

30. Foot-binding Slavery Prostitution Arranged marriages Gambling Opium Tobacco Alcohol Polygamy ABOLISH EVILS (2):

31. GOAL: • Establish The Kingdom of Heavenly Peace: Christianity • Peace & prosperity • All citizens brothers & sisters

32. TARGETS: • Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian idols & templesdestroyed • Government: • Corrupt • Inefficient

33. WEST INTERVENES IN TAIPING REBELION • Wanted to protect ___________ • Allied w/Qing Dynasty (1860) • Foreign troops sent to crush rebellion: • British • Mixed European • American

34. SIGNIFICANCE: • Qing Dynasty further weakened • Increased power of foreign nations in China • Led to increased FOREIGN presence • Peasants’ lifestyle became poorer • Increased taxes • Corrupt officials

35. The road to revolution… • Weakness against growing international power would soon combine with new problems for Imperial China… • Devastating floods • Western Ideas • Nationalism • Rebellion • It looked like the dynastic system itself was about to lose the Mandate of Heaven

36. Empress Cixi

37. THE STONE BOAT

38. BOXER REBELLION • Society of Harmonious Fists, dedicated to ending foreign influence. • European and American forces end rebellion in two months. • Empress suspected of supporting rebels.

40. Dr. Sun Yat-sen • 1911 Revolution just “happens”