Imperialism of China & The Opium War

Geography

1. Rivers: Huang He (Yellow)

   1. Located in Eastern 1/3

   2. 90% of population lives here = overcrowded

2. Barriers: mountains, deserts, oceans, Great Wall (later)

   1. Isolation = ethnocentrism

3. Resources & high population

   1. Make it a target for imperialism

Who was Zheng He?

• 1405 - Zheng He - Chinese explorer found that China was more advanced. China became uninterested in rest of world

• For next 300 years, China withdrew into self sufficient isolationism

• Resisted foreign trade and influence

• ETHNOCENTRIC, “Middle Kingdom”

What was the effect?

China fell behind western technology

How do Europeans arrive in China?

Same as India = Portuguese, Dutch, French, British

Why do they go to China?

Trade! Want resources = spices, textiles, gold, silver

What’s the problem with trading with China?

• China sells, doesn’t buy (ethnocentric)

• Created an unfavorable balance of trade

How much trade does China allow?

• 1 island off southern coast (Macao)

• British want more

British want more trade ports:

• Send envoy to ask emperor to open more ports

• Emperor meets with British Ambassador

• GB gives tribute = gifts - clocks, globes, musical instruments, hot air balloon

Why do the Chinese not need European goods?

Self sufficient, ethnocentric

What will British do?

• Find something they want

• Force them

How will British respond to Chinese refusal to expand trade relations?

1. What do British sell them?

   1. Opium - from poppy plant (India)

      1. Herb used as a pain reliever

      2. Habit - forming narcotic

   2. What are the problems with Opium?

      1. Addictive

      2. Dangerous = overdose

      3. Non-productive

      4. Crime rises

Opium War & The Treaty of Nanking

• War breaks out when British refuse to stop selling opium

• 1839 - 1st Opium War GB vs. China

Great Britain:

• 16 warships, 4 armed steamers, 27 transports with 4,000 soldiers each

• GREAT BRITAIN WINS

China

Outdated Navy, no match, most have swords, only few have guns

Treaty of Nanking

• Ends first Opium War

• China loses, Britain continues opium trade

• China, frustrated, starts a second conflict

Treaty of Tienstin

• Ends second Opium War

• China loses, Britain continues opium trade

Taiping Rebellion

Open Door Policy

Boxer Rebellion

Poverty and political corruption increase in China

What does the Chinese Government need to do in order to become stronger?

• Modernize

• But - Chinese government remains traditional, refuses to modernize/westernize

How do the citizens of China react to their weak government?

• Taiping Rebellion - (Great Peace) lasts 14 years

• Attempts to overthrow existing government so that China can modernize

• Result - little change, death (20 million), destruction

Western nations and Japan gain Spheres of Influence in China

United States promotes Open Door Policy - assure trading rights for all nations and “protect” China from colonization

Boxer Rebellion

• (Society of Harmonious Fists) Chinese people are still frustrated with government refusal to modernize

• Extraterritorial rights - foreigner privileges

• Boxers lose

• Eventually, Dynasty modernizes to keep foreigners out

Overall effects of British Imperialism in China: External:

• Some European countries become involved in the Opium Wars

• Unequal treaties (Nanking)

• Foreigners reap the benefits of Chinese resources

• Spheres of influence - foreign countries able to carve up China into different areas where they can expert control/influence

Overall conflicts of British Imperialism of China: Internal

• China is humiliated (no longer the Middle Kingdom)

• Loss of Mandate of Heaven for Qing emperors

• Government becomes more and more corrupt (bribes)

• Rapid population growth = contact with foreigners introduced foods that sustained larger populations at first

• At its height, 10% of population addicted to opium