What’s the Big Idea?

1. What’s the Big Idea? The economic, political and military strength of European imperialists challenged China’s Middle Kingdom.

2. Essential Question How did Western powers use diplomacy and war to gain power in Qing China?

3. Aim • Describe how imperialist countries controlled China. • Analyze the conflicts, treaties and policies that occurred as a result of imperialism in China.

4. Let’s Set the Stage For centuries, Chinese regulations had ensured that China had a favorable balance of trade with other nations. A nation's balance of trade refers to the difference between how much a country imports and how much it exports. By the 1800s, however, Western nations were using their growing power to tilt the balance of trade with East Asia in their favor.

5. Impact of the Opium Trade • During the late 1700s, British merchants began making huge profits by trading opium grown in India for Chinese tea. • Many Chinese had become addicted to the drug. • Silver flowed out of China in payment for the drug, disrupting the economy. • China tried to halt imports of the addictive drug.

6. A Letter to the Queen Chinese government official Lin Zexu wrote a letter to Britain’s Queen Victoria condemning the opium trade: “We have heard that in your own country opium is prohibited with the utmost strictness and severity—this is strong proof that you know full well how hurtful it is . . . Since . . . you do not permit it to injure your own country, you ought not to have the injurious drug transferred to another country. . . .”

7. Imperialism in China • First Opium War (1839-42) , British gunboats, equipped with the latest in firepower, bombarded Chinese coastal and river ports. • With outdated weapons and fighting methods, the Chinese were easily defeated.

8. Imperialism in China • Treaty of Nanking (1842) – the first “unequal treaty” that forced China to make concessions: China ceded Hong Kong to Britain, paid a large indemnity, opened up 4 large cities to foreign trade with low tariffs and granted British citizens extraterritoriality (the right to live under their own laws and justice system). • The western powers carved out spheres of influence, areas in which an outside power claimed exclusive trade privileges.

9. How did British trade with China trigger the Opium Wars? China tried to stop the lucrative opium trade. In response, the British used their superior military to their advantage and easily defeated China.

10. Taiping Rebellion (1850-64) • Chinese peasants, angry at their poverty and at corrupt Qing [Manchus] officials, rose up in revolt. • Primarily caused by differing Chinese factions: the rebellion was led by Hong Xiuquan, who believed he was the brother of Christ. He wanted to build a “Heavenly Kingdom” for his followers in Nanking. • The Manchus defeated the rebellion after 14 years with the help of the British military. • As many as 20-30 million people perished. Hong Xiuquan(1814 – 1864)

11. Second Opium War (1856-60) China was defeated by several Western powers (Britain, France and the U.S.) and forced to accept trade and investment on unfavorable terms for the foreseeable future.

12. The Open Door Policy (1899) • U.S. Secretary of State John Hay promoted this policy among the imperialist powers (1899). • The policy gave all nations equal access to trade in China. • It guaranteed that China would not be politically or economically dominated by any one imperialist power.

13. What idea did the Open Door policy reflect upon? It reflected the intense spirit of competition among global powers during the Age of Imperialism. All imperial countries accepted the United States’ proposal except Russia

14. Boxer Rebellion (1900) • A patriotic uprising by Chinese nationalists against Western rule by spheres of influence. • It had been secretly sponsored by the Empress Dowager Cixi. Her ties with the underground rebel group known as the “Righteous and Harmonious Fists” [Boxers] encouraged the uprising. • The rebellion was put down by an Eight Nation Alliance in a short time (55 days in Beijing).

15. Boxer Rebellion (1900) • China once again had to make concessions to foreigners. The defeat forced even Chinese conservatives to support Westernization. • China expanded economically. Mining, shipping, railroads, banking and exports of cash crops grew. • The Boxer Uprising spread nationalism as reformers wanted to strengthen China's government. • By the early 1900s, reformers introduced a constitutional monarchy. Some reformers called for a republic.

16. Imperialism in China During the late 1700s, British merchants began making huge profits by trading opium. A letter to the Queen, asking her to stop bringing opium into China. First Opium War (1839-42) Chinese peasants, angry at their poverty and at corrupt Qing [Manchus] officials, rose up in revolt in the Taiping Rebellion. Treaty of Nanking (1842) – the first “unequal treaty” that forced China to make concessions Second Opium War (1856-60) Boxer Rebellion - A patriotic uprising by Chinese nationalists against Western rule by spheres of influence. Open Door Policy - gave all nations equal access to trade in China.

17. Why did the Boxer Rebellion occur? The Chinese people resented imperialism and they were upset about foreign nations taking over what they believed was rightfully theirs.

18. “Extraterritoriality” can best be described as which of the following? a) Exemption of foreigners from the laws of the country in which they live b) Expansion of a country’s international borders to natural boundaries. c) Extension of dual citizenship to immigrants d) Acquisition of new colonies or territories

19. The British frustration by the enormous trade deficit with China led to A) a temporary end of trade between the two countries B) repeated interventions by the Royal Navy C) the British overthrow of the Qing government D) British export of opium to China