Chinese Imperialism

Manchu Policy

A policy established by the Qing Emperor allowing limited English trade, controlled through the port of Canton to maintain tax revenue and control over foreign interactions.

Opium

A highly addictive substance derived from the poppy plant, used in medicine and abused recreationally, significantly impacting Chinese society in the 19th century.

Opium Wars

Conflicts between China and Britain (1839-1842 and 1856-1860) fought over the trade of opium, resulting in British victory and imposition of unequal treaties on China.

Extraterritoriality

Legal status ensuring that European citizens in China were subject only to their own nation’s laws and could not be tried in Chinese courts.

Open Door Policy

A diplomatic policy aimed at ensuring equal trading rights for all nations in China and preventing any single nation from monopolizing trade.

Taiping Rebellion

A massive civil uprising (1850-1864) in China led by peasants seeking land redistribution and gender equality, resulting in approximately 25 million deaths.

Boxer Rebellion

An anti-foreign uprising in 1900 led by the 'Righteous and Harmonious Fists,' aimed at expelling foreign influence from China.

The Treaty of Nanking

The 1842 agreement that concluded the First Opium War, establishing British spheres of influence, control over Hong Kong, and compensation payments from China.

Qing Dynasty

The last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1911, which faced significant decline due to internal strife and external pressures.

Spheres of Influence

Regions in China that were dominated by foreign powers, granting exclusive trading rights and control over resources.