China and the New Imperialism

Section 12.5 Trade with Other Nations ● China had a favorable balance of trade ○ More exports vs imports ● China used to have a trade surplus with Britain (exports > imports) ○ Britain wanted to change this ○ China declining ○ Europe exercised industrial power over China The Opium War ● British used opium grown in India to trade Chinese silver ● Many of the Chinese people had grown addicted to the drug - Wealth was flowing out of China to feed their addiction to opium ● The Chinese govt. outlawed the trading of opium ● The British refused, insisting on the right of free trade The Opium War ● In 1839, Chinese Warships clashed with British merchants on the ports and river ports, triggering the Opium War - no match ● IMPACT: The Treaty of Nanjing ○ Forced China to sign unfair trading rights ○ British were paid indemnity (payment for losses) ○ Gained the island of Hong Kong ○ British citizens were allowed to live in China but not accountable to Chinese laws The Taiping Rebellion 1850-1864 ● The Qing Dynasty was on rapid decline ● Hardships: Poorly maintained canals and irrigations systems, tax evasion by rich, extravagant imperial courts, gov’t corruption, etc. ● Misery among the Chinese peasants increased The Taiping Rebellion ● Taiping Rebellion: Peasant revolt that tried to overthrow Qing but failed after 14 years of winning large parts of China ● Considered the worst peasant revolt in history with 20-30 million deaths ● IMPACT ○ Blow to the dynasty ○ Russia and European con’t to apply pressure Self-Strengthening Movement ● Ci Xi , a strong ruler, launched reforms in China to industrialize ○ Limited progress because the gov’t supported traditional Confucian ways of life ● Sino-Japanese War: Japan committed to Westernize in 1868 and join the imperialist powers ○ Japan gained island of Taiwan from China ○ Signaled that China was WEAK Carving Up China

● France, Russia, Great Britain and Germany all gained Chinese Territory ● OPEN DOOR Policy: Kept Chinese trade open to everyone and on an equal basis ○ USA advocated to Open Door Policy ○ No one consulted with China Hundred Days of Reform ● Under Guang Xu, Chinese reformers attempted to modernize during the 100 Days of Reform ○ Encourage new industries ○ Education ○ Streamline gov’t ● Conservatives blamed reformers for: missionaries, threatening traditional values and the presence of foreign troops ● Conservatives imprisoned the emperor, Ci Xi reestablished her traditional dominance Boxer Rebellion, 1899 ● Chinese traditionalists trained in martial arts (Westerners called them BOXERS) rose up and began to attack Westerners across China ● A multinational force crushed the rebellion (Western powers + Japan) ● AFTERMATH/IMPACT ○ China once again had to make concessions to Europe ○ China was forced to modernize/change