Guiding Question: Why was western imperialism in China so successful?

Before Imperialism One of the oldest countries in the world Strong pride of their ancient culture Population of 300 million Self-sufficient: Agricultural economy: rice, maize, sweet potatoes Mining: salt, silver, iron Manufacturing: silks, cottons, porcelain

Chinese Culture

Resisting Foreign Influence Looked down on all foreigners Cut off from Western world  preserve culture Opened 1 port for trading w/ West “Qing’s had everything they needed”

Trade Issue Chinese had many trade restrictions China benefited: exported more than it imported British suffered: bought more than they sold British needed a product to sell China that would make a profit

Opium War Late 1700’s British used opium, rather than silver, to trade with Chinese Opium- highly addictive drug made from poppy plant By 1835 – 12 million Chinese addicted to drug

Opium War Cont’… Chinese made opium illegal to protect ppl & economy British refused to stop trading opium Letter from Qing Emperor’s advisers to England Queen Victoria about problem (1839): By what right do they [British merchants]…use the poisonous drug [opium] to injure the Chinese people?...I have heard that the smoking of opium is strictly forbidden by your country; that is because the harm cause by opium is clearly understood. Since it is not permitted to do harm to your own country, then even less should you let it be passed on to harm of other countries.

Opium War Cont’… 1839: GB fought to keep trade open with China Battles took place mostly at sea British superior military & industrial strength quickly led to victory

Unequal Treaty Treaty of Nanjing (1842) forced China to: Pay for GB war expenses Open more ports for GB trade Give GB island of Hong Kong British expanded sphere of influence: built road, railroads, factories Chinese resented foreign citizen’s presence

Results of Imperialism Internal problems emerged: Population explosion (430 million by 1850) Millions starved Opium addiction increased Corruption in govt. – could bribe your way in Tax increase on peasants

Taiping Rebellion (1850-64) Chinese ppl rebelled vs. Qing Dynasty Army of 1 million ppl fought to over throw Qing’s & push out British & French Taiping  Great Peace Imperial troops, militia, British & French crushed rebellion

Taiping Rebellion

Minor Reform by Govt. Pressure from ppl & foreign countries forced China to consider modern ways Chinese govt. clung to traditional ways Empress Ci Xi made some changes: Updated education & military Built arsenals to produce steam powered boats, rifles, & ammunition

Other Nations Step In Foreign countries took advantage of China’s weak military, economic, & political problems Began developing spheres of influence to build up trade

Hundred Days of Reform Chinese were humiliated by loss of power  pressure for stronger reforms “Hundred Days of Reform” Some govt. officials planned to: Adopt Public School System Create elected assemblies Improve banks & military Empress found out, reversed reforms, executed leaders behind movement

Boxer Rebellion (1900) Chinese frustrated with presence of foreigners Workers & peasants formed a secret org.  Boxers Boxers attacked foreign communities across China Foreign forces defeated the rebellion quickly

Boxer Rebellion Cont’… Results Despite failure, sense of nationalism emerged Desire to resist more foreign influence grew

Reform Qing dynasty realized China needed to make changes to survive 1905: Empress sent a group of officials to tour the world to study different govt’s 1908: Development of a Constitutional Monarchy emerged

Reforms Cont’… 5,000 years of China’s dynastic rule came to an end Further westernization ideas emerged Today China is one of the strongest countries in the world Present Day Canton

How does this cartoon reflect China & imperialism?

Guiding Question: Why was western imperialism of China so successful? Imperialism in China Guiding Question: Why was western imperialism of China so successful?