IMPERIALISM IN CHINA

You are a local government official in 19th century China You are a local government official in 19th century China. You are proud of your country, which produces everything that its people need. Like other Chinese officials, you discourage contact with foreigners. Nevertheless, people from the West are eager to trade with China. Most foreign products are inferior to Chinese goods. However, a few foreign products are not available in China. You are curious about these items. At the same time, you wonder why foreigners are so eager to trade with China and what they hope to gain. How might foreign products affect the quality of life in China both positively and negatively? What demands might foreigners make on countries they trade with?

Background Chinese were mostly self-sufficient and looked down on foreigners Only trading existed at the port of Guangzhou Chinese controlled the balance

Europeans find an “in” Opium Opium Dens Poppy plant, grown in India Originally used by doctors British smuggled it in for nonmedical uses Opium Dens

Chinese Opium Dens

Queen Victoria Reigned 1837 – 1901 “Victorian Era” Ruled during peak of industrial revolution Expanded British empire Ruled over most powerful nation in world

Queen Victoria Oversaw major drug trafficking criminal organization England shipped tons of Opium into China, which it traded for Chinese goods and tea Created a nation of opium addicts

Primary Source “By what right do they (British merchants)… use the poisonous drug to injure the Chinese people? I have heard that the smoking of Opium is very strictly forbidden by your country; that is because the harm caused by opium is clearly understood. Since then it is not permitted to do harm in your own country, then even less should you let it be passed on to the harm of other countries.” Lin Zexu, China’s Response to the West

Opium Wars Emperor is upset Pleas went unanswered from England Series of sea battles erupted China’s out dated ships were no match for England’s steam powered gunships

Treaty of Nanjing Gave Britain the island of Hong Kong and extraterritorial rights They were not subject Chinese laws

Internal Problems Growing population, opium addiction Taiping Rebellion Resistance to change

Foreign Influence Sphere of Influence-area where a foreign nation controls trade Open Door Policy Prevented colonies in China and prevented one country from having total influence Boxer Rebellion “Death to the foreign devils”

Create your own Political Cartoon Directions Choose one area of Imperialism (Africa, China or India) Decide either to be pro or anti Imperialism Draw an original political cartoon based on direction 1&2. It will graded on the 4 pt scale 4- Work is clearly original, displays creativity and effort, details are accurate and demonstrate full comprehension of the topic involved. 3- Displays Above average effort and comprehension, Work is clearly original, information is accurate 2- Displays average effort, proficient comprehension, work is original, some details may be inaccurate 1- Work is original, shows below average effort, info is not accurate, details are unclear. 0-Not turned in, incomplete, or not original