1. Imperialistic Rule of
China

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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Chinese outdated ships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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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