Imagining China Handout for PowerPoint presentation Canton before and after the Opium War

Canal Boats “Canton had a ‘floating’ population of at least 100,000 souls. On its waterways could be found sampans, ‘great’ boats, slipper boats, cargo boats, coffin boats, passage boats, ferry boats, theatrical boats, flower boats, house boats, leper boats, police boats, customs boats, fishing boats, gunboats, steamboats, floating restaurants and brothels, and steam launches. ” Photo Gallery No. 9: Tour of Old Canton. Presbyterian Archives Research Centre Presbyterian Church Archives Research Centre, New Zealand.

Five Story Pagoda “At 2 metres high, it offered marvelous views of both the city and mountainous countryside. Built in 1380 by Zhu Liangzu during the Ming Dynasty ( ) to flaunt his power and obsession that he was able to shake the seas and the mountains. During its more than 600 year long history the tower has been destroyed and rebuilt five times. ” Photo Gallery No. 9: Tour of Old Canton. Presbyterian Archives Research Centre Presbyterian Church Archives Research Centre, New Zealand.

Temple of Honan “On the south banks of the … Pearl River, and on the opposite side from the city of Canton is the most famous of all Buddhist temples in China, the very cathedral of that contemptible idolatry. Standing on the margin of the water, it is most frequently approached by boats, and the multitude that is in perpetual motion at the landing-place, is calculated to give a very low estimate of the Chinese character. … A small comfortable-looking assemblage of doors, and screens, and gables, and projecting eaves, and concave roofs, and grotesque animals, gives to the landing-place the character of a country ale-house. ” Mark A. Baker. Chinese History: Thomas Allom’s ‘China Illustrated.’ The Chinese Outpost Mark A. Baker. outpost.com/history/thomas%2Dallom%2Dchina%2Dillustratedhttp:// outpost.com/history/thomas%2Dallom%2Dchina%2Dillustrated

Searching for images…  The photographs we saw were taken by Western visitors to China, after it had been invaded by numerous European countries. Why weren’t there any Chinese photographs?  If you search Google Images for “Canton,” the results from this time period are overwhelmingly European artwork and photographs. Does this mean the Chinese had no artwork from Canton at this time? If the Chinese do have artwork, why isn’t it searchable on Google?

What the average European visitor to Canton saw: “To many Europeans unaccustomed to such a swarming mass of humanity, this could be a uniquely enthralling experience. But based on their own European ideals and standards, some were often bewildered or shocked by the scenes they encountered. Swarming coolies among the narrow streets, noisy street markets, the smell of open street sewers and reeking canals, the dirt, and the inevitable sight of beggars served to challenge many a more sensitive soul.” Photo Gallery No. 9: Tour of Old Canton. Presbyterian Archives Research Centre Presbyterian Church Archives Research Centre, New Zealand.

“Most Europeans lived on Shameen Island bordering Canton City, ownership of land elsewhere by foreigners having previously been prohibited. The wide streets, well tended gardens and substantial dwellings were in stark contrast to the sights and sounds of old Canton.” Photo Gallery No. 9: Tour of Old Canton. Presbyterian Archives Research Centre Presbyterian Church Archives Research Centre, New Zealand.

Floating Warehouses

Examination Hall “Imperial examinations determined who among the population would be permitted to enter the state’s bureaucracy. By 1370, the examinations lasted between 24 and 72 hours, and were conducted in spare, isolated examination rooms; sometimes, however, it was held within cubicles. The small rooms featured two boards which could be placed together to form a bed, or placed on different levels to serve as a desk and chair. In order to obtain objectivity in evaluation, candidates were identified by number rather than by name, and examination answers were recopied by a third person before being evaluated to prevent the candidate’s handwriting from being recognized.” Old China 中国 年前. Okinawa Soba, ed. Flickr.com

Which city features do you recognize?