Imperialistic Rule of China

A Country of Turmoil A century of foreign dominion A drug addicted nation Wars with the advanced European powers Endless rebellions ravaging the country An era of change throughout the world, threatening ancient Chinese ideals

Desperate for Trade China was a self sufficient power China held many valuable commodities Europeans were forced to trade in Guangzhou China held upper hand, lack of interest in foreign goods Desperate Europeans needed a commodity to sell China

Opium opium- habit forming drug made from poppies Opium was long used as pain killer British merchants smuggled in opium for non-medical use By 1835, 12 million Chinese were addicted

Opium War In 1839, Lin Zexu sent a letter to England’s Queen Victoria asking to stop Opium Trade Pleads went unanswered, and war erupted Mostly naval battles Chinese outdated ships were no match for British steam-powered gunboats The Chinese suffered embarrassing defeat

Treaty of Nanjing Peace treaty signed with Britain in 1842 Gave Britain control of the island of Hong Kong In 1844 another treaty was signed Granted US and foreign citizens extraterritorial right Foreigners were not subject of Chinese law in Guangzhou and four other ports

Internal Problems Chinese population grew from to 430 million by 1850 30% gain in only 60 years Food production barely increased People became discouraged, opium addiction grew People began to rebel

Taiping Rebellion Hong Xiuquan recruited to help him build “Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace” Said all Chinese would share wealth, no poverty Massive peasant army of 1 million people raised by 1850 By 1853, Hong captured city of Nanjing and much of southern China Internal and external attacks brought down Taiping movement; 20 million died

Dowager Empress Cixi Ruled China from 1862 – 1908 Committed to traditional values Late 1860’s supported self-strengthening movement without doing away of ancient traditions Aimed to update educational facilities, military, and diplomatic services

Spheres of Influence 19th century foreign countries took advantage of China China was attacked just to make treaties Treaties allowed foreign control over Chinese economy US afraid of European rule, declared China’s Open Door Policy

Nationalism Emperor Guangxu pressed for modernization in June 1898 Qing officials saw this as a threat to their power Dowager Empress returned, arrested Guangxu Reforms reversed

Boxer Rebellion Peasants resented foreigners rule and Chinese Christians Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists or Boxers, was formed Spring of 1900, Boxers attacked Beijing In August, 19,000 multinational troops defeated the Boxers Boxer Ideals lived on

A New Era 1905 – select group of Chinese officials sent on a tour of the world Traveled to Japan, US, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and Italy 1908 – the court announced a constitutional government would be formed by 1907 Change was slow and peasants still rebelled

Mao Zedong Born a peasant, fell into Marxist theory Lead a revolt against the nationalists to end poverty Trekked across the Chinese mainland, fighting a guerilla war Banished nationalists to Taiwan, china became a communist superpower

Cultural Revolution Launched by Mao Zedong May 16, 1966 Tried to regain control after failed Leap Forward Widespread famine and political turmoil Fighting to keep communist rule Over 30 Million Chinese killed Limited freedoms, and industrialization attempts

Tiananmen Square Student protests from April 14 – June 4, 1989 Fall of Soviet Union, sparked Chinese intellectuals will for Democracy Chinese Red Army attacked students, and ended threat Riots throughout Chinese nations were ended Allowed many reforms in China Rocked foundation of Chinese foreign relations

Chinese – US relations Constant struggles against US’ attempt to end Communism Backed North Koreans and Vietnamese against he US Long time ally of the Soviet Union US protests caused by Chinese conquering Tibet Major Producer of goods for US

Hope for a Chinese Future Rough times in the 19th century Largest communist country Fastest growing economic superpower Granting the citizens many more freedoms, closer towards capitalist democracy Nuclear Weapon Superpower A place in history, forever saved