China Responds to Pressure from the West China Tries to Resist Foreign Influence

Background China’s population was greater than any other country in the world China’s population was greater than any other country in the world China was self-sufficient and not interested in other foreign country’s gadgets and certainly not interested in trade China was self-sufficient and not interested in other foreign country’s gadgets and certainly not interested in trade

Factors for imperialism Corrupted government Corrupted government –Chinese began to rebel against Qing dynasty (Taiping Rebellion led by Hong Xiuquan) Weak military technology Weak military technology Foreign powers took advantage of China’s weakness and attacked. Foreign powers took advantage of China’s weakness and attacked.

The Taiping Rebellion The Taiping Rebellion was one of the bloodiest civil wars in history – between 20 and 40 million people died. Hong Xiuquan was the leader of this movement. He believed that he was the brother of Jesus and was obligated to drive out the Qing Empire so that China would become a “Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace.” Successful at first, the Taipings were eventually shut down by the Qing Empire that regained its lands.

Who invaded? The British refused to stop trading opium, which 12 million Chinese were addicted too, despite the Qing emperors requests – Opium War The British refused to stop trading opium, which 12 million Chinese were addicted too, despite the Qing emperors requests – Opium War –Britain defeated Chinese – Treaty of Nanjing (gave Britain Hong Kong) The United States declared the Open Door Policy that allowed China to be open to all foreign merchants The United States declared the Open Door Policy that allowed China to be open to all foreign merchants

The Opium War The Opium War between the Chinese and British was dominated by the British. With their modern naval forces, and their percussion-tap rifles, which were quicker, safer and more accurate than China’s weaponry, the British defeated the Chinese easily. The Treaty of Nanjing was established and Britain gained Hong Kong.

Effects: Positive Nationalism emerged Nationalism emerged –Chinese realized that the government must become more responsive to their needs –Reforms were made to restructure the government and a constitutional government was established in 1917

Effects: Negative The Boxer Rebellion The Boxer Rebellion –Poor peasants and workers formed the Society of Harmonious Fists –Seized Beijing but soldiers from Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Russia, Japan and the United States defeated boxers.

What has happened since? For four more decades after 1917, China continued to face external as well as internal threats. For four more decades after 1917, China continued to face external as well as internal threats. Now China has regained Hong Kong and controls all of its land. Now China has regained Hong Kong and controls all of its land. The People’s Republic of China was established in 1949 The People’s Republic of China was established in 1949

China is surrounded by water on the east side, making it a perfect region for trade, one of the reasons why imperialists attacked.

Overall… The effects of imperialism in China were neither more positive nor more negative. Eventually, China went back to its original state. However, for China itself, the effects were probably more positive because the people realized that things needed to change – the government needed to take more action. This awareness affected why China is the country it is today. The effects of imperialism in China were neither more positive nor more negative. Eventually, China went back to its original state. However, for China itself, the effects were probably more positive because the people realized that things needed to change – the government needed to take more action. This awareness affected why China is the country it is today.