1. China and the New Imperialism

2. British and Chinese Trade
Prior to the 1800s, Chinese rulers placed strict limits on foreign trade
China traded silk, porcelain, and tea, in exchange for gold and silver
China experienced a trade surplus- exporting more than it imported
Other nations experienced a trade deficit- buying more goods than they were selling to China

3. The Opium War
In the late 1700s, British merchants began trading opium, grown in India for Chinese tea
Many Chinese became addicted to opium, so they started to sell silver so they could afford it, disrupting China’s economy
Chinese government outlaws opium, but Britain refuses to stop trading, citing the right to free trade
In 1839, Opium War takes place. Chinese are easily defeated by Britain’s far superior weaponry

4. Unequal Treaties
In 1842, Britain forced China to sign the Treaty of Nanjing
In it, Britain received a huge indemnity- payment for losses in the war, also gained the island of Hong Kong
The treaty also granted British citizens in China extraterritoriality- the right to live under their own laws and be tried in their own courts

5. Taiping Rebellion Weakens China
By the 1800s, the Qing dynasty was in decline
Peasants were burdened for many reasons:
Population explosion
Tax evasion of the rich
Official Corruption
Taiping Rebellion- peasants rebelling against the Qing dynasty
Lasted from
Eventually the rebels were defeated
Caused the death of between million Chinese

6. Launching Reform Efforts
Educated Chinese were divided over the need to adopt western ways
China’s wealth and taxes came from the land, no need for new industries
Missionaries/new technologies would challenge the Confucian order

7. “self Strengthening” movement
Imported Western technology
Set up factories to make modern weapons
Developed shipyards, railroads, mining, and light industry
Translated Western works on science, government, and the economy
Government did not back the movement, so ultimately, it failed

8. Sino-Japanese War Western powers and nearby Japan moved rapidly ahead
Japan began to modernize in 1868, joining the Western imperialists in the competition for a global empire.
Japan easily defeated in the Sino-Japanese War, forcing China to give up the island of Taiwan.

9. Spheres of Influence
Following the Sino-Japanese defeat, countries fought for spheres of influence in China.
Many European nations, along with Russia, carved up China and occupied territory throughout the country.
The U.S. called for an Open Door Policy in China, which kept Chinese trade open to everyone on an equal basis.

10. Hundred Days of reform
Chinese citizens were furious that China refused to modernize as Japan had.
In 1898, Guang Xu started the 100 days of reform
New laws set out to modernize civil service exams, streamline government, and encourage new industries
Conservatives rallied against the reform, and imprisoned Xu

11. Qing Dynasty Falls
In 1899, a group of Chinese had formed a secret society, the Righteous Harmonious Fists They trained in martial arts, and were dubbed, the “Boxers” They wanted to force all foreign influence out of China In 1900, they attacked foreigners across China and were easily defeated.

12. Aftermath
After China is defeated again, even conservatives turn to the idea of Westernization.
Expanded their school systems to teach science and math
Expanded their economy
Mining, shipping, railroads, banking, and exporting crops grew
Chinese business class emerged, and a new working class began to press for rights

13. Three Principles
The Chinese government introduced a constitutional monarchy by the early 1900s
Sun Yat-sen was a popular spokesman for the new Chinese republic
First principle- Nationalism
Second principle- Democracy
Third principle- Livelihood
Sun Yat-sen eventually became president of the new Chinese Republic in 1911 and was constantly at war with itself or foreign invaders.