Decline of the Qing Dynasty Chapter 7 Section 1

A. Causes of Decline In 1800, the Qing Dynasty was at the hieght of power By 1900, it was falling apart Mostly due to pressure from western countries

1. The Opium Wars Europe had been in China for 200 years, only allowed in one port, Guangzhou British losing money in Chinese trade In order to make more money, British begin selling Opium, a drug illegal in China Chinese blockaded Guangzhou, British responded with force Opium Wars last three years China is no match for the British

Results of the Opium War Treaty of Nanjing  China had to open 5 ports to British trade  China had to give Britain Hong Kong  British lived in sections of China in which they controlled and created their own laws Called Extraterritoriality  Soon, foreigners began to flood into China

2. The Tai Ping Rebellion Peasant revolt led by Hong Xiuquan  Pushed for women’s rights  Called for people to give up private possessions and share everything  Drugs were outlawed Rebels seized Nanjing, murdered 25,000 Eventually, defeated by European forces

Result of the Tai Ping Rebellion  Treaty of Tianjin  Opium was legalized  Kowloon Peninsula was given to Britain

B. Efforts at Reform Chinese reformers wanted self-strengthening  Wanted China to adopt Western Technology, but keep its Confucian values Some reformers wanted democracy in China 1870s, China modernizes its military Railroads, weapons factories, and shipyards were built

C. The Advance of Imperialism Reforms did not help the Qing dynasty stay in power Russia takes over Siberia in late 1800s European countries began to carve out Spheres of Influence  Places in China, where powers had exclusive trading rights Japan took over Korea in 1894

D. The Open Door Policy The U.S. was too late to get a sphere of influence Secretary of state John Hay proposed the Open Door Policy Said that all countries should have an equal trade in China European powers feared each other, so they agreed to the policy

E. The Boxer Rebellion Order of the Harmonious Fist  Secret Chinese organization opposed to foreigners  Nicknamed “boxers”  In 1900 they start a campaign to rid China of foreigners  They take over several cities  Eventually, Europe and the U.S. join together to defeat them  After the rebellion, China was forced to pay a huge indemnity A payment of damages to Europe for their help  Qing Dynasty weaker than ever