China and the New Imperialism

Trade in China Balance of Trade – the balance between how much a country imports and exports Trade surplus – when a country exports more then it imports Trade deficit – when a country imports more then they export For a long time China had a favorable trade balance with Western Europe Limited trade, only imported gold and silver Changes in Europe interrupted this trade pattern China entered into a period of decline Western Europe industrialized Needed more markets for goods Increased military

Opium Wars British merchants started selling opium in exchange for Chinese tea Many Chinese became addicted to the drug Became very profitable for British merchants Chinese lost large amounts of silver in the trade as well Chinese government asked the British to stop selling opium Britain refused citing free trade Chinese warships clashed with British merchant ships British easily won with superior weapons M-8k&feature=related

Qing Dynasty in Trouble Treaty of Nanjing Opened more ports Made China pay Britain an indemnity Gained Hong Kong Taiping Rebellion Peasants in China rebelled Tired of high taxes/extravagant government spending Lasted for about 14 years until local leaders helped suppress the rebellion Extremely devastating with about million deaths Further weakened the Qing government and allowed

Reform Some Chinese worked towards Western reforms Increase industry Mining Railroads Without support from the government these reforms failed Japan takes advantage of these weaknesses and attacks China gaining Taiwan as a territory China weakens, Western countries split up China into spheres of influence US becomes fearful we will not have ability to trade in China and creates the Open Door Policy Reformers blame the conservatives for halting progress Some reforms begin under Guang Xu but the conservatives rallied against the reforms The reformers eventually had to escape or be executed m/watch?v=9wFjjdMHv 2A

Map of Chinese Imperialist Influences

Boxer Rebellion (a Nationalist Movement) Anti-foreign feelings grew in China Foreigners lived in their own communities without abiding Chinese laws Foreign troops caused tension Influence of Western ideals angered many Chinese In 1899 these feelings exploded with a secret society nicknamed the Boxers attacked foreigners across China Desire was to free China from foreign people and influence (especially Christians) Western powers with the help of Japan had to come to rescue the foreigners and squash the Boxers

Qing Dynasty Falls After the Boxers were crushed China started to make concessions and reintroducing reform The economy started to expand and industry grew Many nationalist groups were still unhappy with the Chinese government and demanded reforms When a 2 year old boy inherited the throne chaos broke out until Sun Yixian was named president of the new Chinese republic This was not the end of China’s problems

Discussion points: 1.Why do you think British traders introduced opium into China if it was prohibited in their own country? 2.Why do you think China was so resistant to Western influence? 3.How did the Boxer Uprising bring about change in China? 4.What challenges do you foresee for the government of Sun Yixian after the fall of Qing Dynasty? Predict.