Qing China –The Manchu seize advantage of the weakness of the Ming dynasty and seize control of Beijing in –Within two decades, they are masters of China –Retain much of the political system of the Ming »More direct role in appointing local officials and reduce tax exemptions »Chinese and Manchu officials paired at the highest post »Examination system continued

Society and Economy –Maintain social system of Ming. Respect for rank and acceptance of hierarchy –Women continued under the dominance of older males with their lives centered on the household. Lower class in fields or markets –Infanticide rises. Daughters wanted less than sons –Attempt to alleviate rural distress through decreasing tax and labor burdens

Society and Economy Repair roads, dikes, and irrigations systems and limit land accumulation by elite Repair roads, dikes, and irrigations systems and limit land accumulation by elite Population growth and lack of land limits success of reforms Population growth and lack of land limits success of reforms Commercial and urban expansion. Peaceful during the first half of Manchu rule Commercial and urban expansion. Peaceful during the first half of Manchu rule End of 18 th century influx of silver. End of 18 th century influx of silver.

Society and Economy European traders came to Canton and Chinese merchants travel overseas. Link between China and outside world. European traders came to Canton and Chinese merchants travel overseas. Link between China and outside world.

Breakdown and Social Disintegration By late 18 th century the Qing were in decline By late 18 th century the Qing were in decline The exam system is infiltrated with cheating and favoritism The exam system is infiltrated with cheating and favoritism Positions in government service were seen as a method of gaining influence and building family fortunes. Positions in government service were seen as a method of gaining influence and building family fortunes.

Breakdown and Social Disintegration Resulting revenue loss caused a weakening of the military and deterioration of the dikes confining the Yellow River. Resulting revenue loss caused a weakening of the military and deterioration of the dikes confining the Yellow River. Flooding left millions of peasants without resources. Flooding left millions of peasants without resources. Mass migrations and banditry increased social unrest Mass migrations and banditry increased social unrest Chinese social and economic systems could not cope with the changes stemming from the increased population (due to American crops). Chinese social and economic systems could not cope with the changes stemming from the increased population (due to American crops).

Opium Wars –Manchus treat Europeans as barbarians. –European advances in science and industry make them rivals to the empire –Confrontation occurs over the importation of opium from India (British colony) into China –British lack commodities (except silver) to exchange for Chinese goods

Opium Wars Opium reversed the trade balance in their favor but the Chinese saw the trade as a threat to their economy and social order. Opium reversed the trade balance in their favor but the Chinese saw the trade as a threat to their economy and social order. Silver left the country and opium addiction became rampant. Silver left the country and opium addiction became rampant. Government efforts to check the problem fails until 1830’s when Lin Zexu, came to end the trade at Canton Government efforts to check the problem fails until 1830’s when Lin Zexu, came to end the trade at Canton He blockaded European trading areas and destroyed opium He blockaded European trading areas and destroyed opium British merchants demanded and received military intervention British merchants demanded and received military intervention

Opium Wars War began in 1839; the Chinese were defeated on sea and land and sued for peace. War began in 1839; the Chinese were defeated on sea and land and sued for peace. Hong Kong is awarded to the British and opened other ports to European trade and residence. By the 1890’s, ninety ports were open and foreigners had gained long-term leases over ports and surrounding territory. Hong Kong is awarded to the British and opened other ports to European trade and residence. By the 1890’s, ninety ports were open and foreigners had gained long-term leases over ports and surrounding territory.

Fall of Qing –Taiping Rebellion—one of several peasant rebellions. Offer social reform, land redistribution and liberation of women. –Attack traditional elite and encourage foreign investment. –Rebellion is squashed, but leaves China torn. –Sons of the scholar-gentry become involved in plots to overthrow the regime and create a government based on the West

Fall of Qing Sun Yat-sen was one of the most articulate leaders. Established the Nationalist party. Sun Yat-sen was one of the most articulate leaders. Established the Nationalist party. End of civil service exams in 1905, end of Qing in End of civil service exams in 1905, end of Qing in Ends the use of Confucian values as a base for governing society. Ends the use of Confucian values as a base for governing society.