1. Imperialism in East Asia
“The great test of Western Imperialism is Asia … where vast people live - inheritors of civilizations as complex as our own, more ancient
and firmly rooted by
custom in general life”
(J A Hobson)

2. Ohio Learning Standard #12
The Consequences of Imperialism were viewed differently by the colonizers and the colonized

3. China was already Prosperous
Highly develop agriculture
- irrigation & canal system
- Sui Dynasty ( AD)
Small workshops produce goods that China needed
= Self-sufficient economy

5. Little Interest in Foreign Trade
*Chinese regarded European goods as inferior – bought few goods from Europe merchants

6. Port of Canton
Despite pleas from other nations, China refused to open other ports to foreigners – other than Canton
Any trade with Chinese leaders had to include trade of Gold & Silver … NOT currency!

7. Favored Trade Status for Portugal
In Explorer Jorge Álvares arrives in city of Guangzhou 
Trade in southern China then expands into Macau
Paid rent (Gold & Silver) to the Ming Empire

8. Interesting Perspective:
“Small states are of the past and have no future ... Great nations are rapidly absorbing for their future expansion … all of the waste places of the earth … a movement which makes civilization and for advancement of the race … As one of great nations of the world, United States must not fall out of line!”
- Henry Cabot Lodge
- Senator Henry Cabot Lodge

10. Influence of Foreign Trade
European merchants desire
to find a product Chinese would buy in large quantities
East India Co. discovered
product = Opium

11. Opium War
Chinese Gov tried to stop the opium trade by appealing to British - but pleas went unanswered, and the quarrel over opium grew into a war

12. Treaty of Nanjing
First of unequal treaties against the Chinese because Britain had no obligations in return:
* Five ports were opened for trade * Britons allowed trade with anyone and Communicate directly with local officials
* Qing government obligated to pay British Gov 6 million silver dollars = Opium Trade
* Another $12 million in war reparations

14. Further Subjugation
Treaty of Tientsin – ceded additional ports to British control (Hong Kong) + allowed foreigners freedom to travel in interior & spread religion
Treaty of Wanghia – allowing Russia to have access to northern ports & contol of Manchuria
Sino-Japanese War – claiming control of Korea - resulting in humiliating defeat for the Chinese
Jiaozhou Bay – Germany gained control & given exclusive mining & railroad rights

17. USA wants its slice of the pie
United States proposes a deal (Open Door Policy) - allowing equal access for all foreign merchants
On heels of getting Philippines from Spain
Fearing further Japanese expansion/retribution
Britain/France fearing further German/Russian expansion going unchecked

18. Conflicting Spheres of Influence

19. Boxer Rebellion
Groups of Chinese Buddhist Monks and other traditionalists take to the streets (protest) pledging to rid the country of "foreign devils"