2. The Qing Dynasty 1644 – 1911 Established by the Manchus (People from Manchuria) Expanded China to its greatest physical size Presided over increasing trade with Europeans, but the gov’t tried to strictly limit and control that trade By the 1800s, the Qing government began to weaken due mainly to economic problems

3. Qing China at its height

4. The Opium War (1839 – 1842) In order to improve their trade balance with China, the British began to sell opium in China The Chinese government outlawed the sale and consumption of opium—due to the drug’s economic and social effects When the British refused to halt the sale, the Chinese blockaded the trade port of Guangzhou The British used the blockade as justification for attacking China; beginning the Opium War With superior military technology, the British easily crushed the Chinese

5. The Treaty of Nanjing Ended the Opium War No mention of opium in the treaty Terms of the Treaty: 1) China opened an additional 5 coastal ports to European trade 2) Britain was given possession of Hong Kong (until 1999) 3) Europeans in the “treaty ports” were granted extraterritoriality

6. The Tai Ping Rebellion 1850 – 1864 Caused by peasants’ anger at worsening economic conditions Called for: An end to the monarchy Redistribution of land to peasants Equality for women 1853—The rebels seized the city of Nanjing and held it for the next 11 years The Qing government eventually asked for Europeans’ aid in putting down the rebellion

7. Results of the Tai Ping rebellion 1) Economic and Social Devastation 20 million people killed 2) Increased foreign (European) influence over the Chinese government 1858—China agrees to legalize opium and surrenders some territory to Great Britain 3) Increased calls for reform within China The government worked to modernize the country’s military, infrastructure, and industries But it was too little, too late

10. European “Spheres of Influence” As the power of the Qing government waned in the late 1800s, European nations began to make deals with local warlords: Europeans paid the warlords in cash or weapons; In exchange for exclusive rights to conduct trade, build railroads, mine for ores, etc. These exclusive trade zones became known as Spheres of Influence; In effect, European nations exercised complete control over these areas

12. The Sino-Japanese War Date: 1894 Cause: Increasing Japanese influence and military encroachments in Korea (controlled by China for several centuries) Japan easily defeats China Results: 1) Japan takes the island of Taiwan from China 2) Japanese influence in Korea continues 3) Deep embarrassment for the Chinese

13. The Open Door Policy 1898—After the Spanish-American War, the United States enters the imperialist race in Asia and the Pacific 1899—Concerned that the Europeans’ “spheres of influence” will impede American access to China, Secretary of State John Hay issues the “Open Door Policy:” Essentially, the policy was that China should have an “open door” to any nation that wanted to conduct trade in its territory Hay informed the European powers—but not the Chinese government— about the policy The Open Door Policy did not end the spheres of influence system; But it did ease restrictions on trade, and allowed American companies access to Chinese markets

14. The Boxer Rebellion (Date: 1900) “Boxers:” Members of the secret Society of the Harmonious Fists Cause of the Rebellion: The Boxers were disgusted by the weakness of the Qing government, and growing foreign influence over the country They were particularly angered by Christian missionaries Over several months, bands of Boxers roamed the Chinese countryside, slaughtering foreign missionaries and Chinese Christians In Beijing, the Boxers killed a German diplomat and took control of large parts of the city The Qing government proved powerless to stop the rebellion; in August an allied army of 20,000 troops from Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Japan, and the U.S. attacked Beijing and put down the rebellion Result: China has to pay damages to the Western allies; the power of the Qing Dynasty reaches an all-time low

15. Images from the Boxer Rebellion