Foreign influence in China 1800-1917 Chapter 12-1 Foreign influence in China 1800-1917

European arrival and Chinese reaction Europeans brought with them items to trade but the Chinese were not impressed. China believed it was self sufficient.

Chinese self sufficiency China believed it was self sufficient because It had a healthy agricultural economy Plentiful rice in the south Maize, corn and potatoes from the Americas Mining, manufacturing, salt and tin was abundant.

Guangzhou The only trade port in all of China open to foreigners. All trade controlled by China China had a favorable balance of trade.

Opium Wars Causes- Qing emperor demanded that Britain stop sending Opium to China, Britain refused. In 1839 war broke out but England won because of its superior weapons and navy. Treaty of Nanjing- peace treaty ending the war and giving Britain control of Hong Kong and foreigners given extraterritorial rights (not subject to Chinese laws) Greatly increased Chinese resentment of foreigners.

Chinese international problems Population grew by 30% but food supplies could not keep up. Hunger, famine and opium addiction spread. Soon the Qing faced rebellion.

The Taiping Rebellion Hong Xiuquan built an organization called the “Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace”. Its goal was to share the wealth and allow no poverty. In 1853, rebellion broke out and his 1 million man army captured Tapai. He withdrew from public life and 11 years later the kingdom collapsed due to foreign troops and the imperial army.

Empress Cixi Proposed that China start a “self strengthening movement” The goals were to update China’s educational system, diplomatic system and its army in order to resist foreign influence.

Europeans move into China Nations took advantage of a weakened China as it had failed to strengthen fast enough. Treaties had also given foreign nations control over parts of China and its economy. Countries also formed spheres of influence in China- Chinese trade and investment controlled by foreign nations. Page 338 – map shows how many countries were in China

Open Door Policy Letters written by Sec. of State John Hay that stated China needed to open to free trade. The U.S. would protect its right to free trade in China This meant the U.S. had moved into China as an imperial power along with European nations.

Boxer Rebellion A group known as the “Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists” resented foreign influence in China and rebelled against the Dowager Empress. In 1900, foreign property was destroyed and foreigners were killed or kidnapped. This rebellion was broken up by a foreign army including the U.S., British, French, and German troops totaling 19,000 men.

The Boxer Rebellion

Impact of the Boxer Rebellion Empress knew she needed to reform China or face further revolt. She began to send diplomats throughout the world in order to study western political ways. She created a national assembly along with a full constitutional government. Strong sense of nationalism starts to emerge in China

The last emperor