Chinese History: Opium Wars, Dynasties, and Modern Movements, Chinese Geography, Culture, and Philosophies: Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism

Tribute

Gifts or payments sent by other states to China as a sign of respect & submission.

Kowtowing

Deep ceremonial bowing or prostration to show submission to the emperor. Head may touch the ground.

Trade Imbalance

When imports and exports are unequal; China exported more goods (like tea) than it imported, draining little foreign silver.

Tea & Opium

China exported tea to the West; Britain imported opium into China to correct the trade imbalance, sparking social & economic problems.

Lin Zexu

Qing official who tried to suppress opium trade, enforcing bans and confiscating British shipments.

Qianlong & George III

Qianlong rejected Britain's trade requests, asserting China's self-sufficiency; George III pressured for expanded trade.

Gunboat Diplomacy

Using naval power or military threats to force a nation into agreements.

The Unequal Treaties

Treaties favoring Western powers after military defeats, limiting Chinese sovereignty.

Dynastic Cycle

Pattern of rise, peak, decline & replacement of dynasties in China.

Mandate of Heaven

The belief that emperors rule because Heaven grants them the right; loss of virtue can justify rebellion.

Manchu/Qing

The ethnic group (Manchu) that founded and ruled the Qing dynasty (1644-1912).

Canton System

A trade policy confining all foreign merchants to the southern port of Canton.

Extraterritoriality

Westerners in China were subject to their own laws, not Chinese law.

Most Favored Nation Status

A clause granting a country trade advantages whenever another nation received them.

Spheres of Influence

Areas where foreign powers had exclusive economic or political privileges within China.

Century of Humiliation

The 100 years after the Opium War where China experienced foreign domination, unequal treaties, and internal struggles.

Dowager Empress Cixi

Mother of Emperor Tongzhi during the 100 years of humiliation; was in charge of fixing Opium War issues.

The Taiping Rebellion

Chinese civil war from 1850-1864; Taiping was a religion based on many Christian values.

Hong Xiuquan

Created & led the Taiping Rebellion.

The Boxer Rebellion

China vs. foreigners on Chinese soil; aimed to end foreign domination.

May 4th Movement

Response to the Treaty of Versailles giving Germany-owned Chinese territory to Japan; 23,000 students protested in Beijing.

Sun Yat-Sen

First president of the Republic of China, led by the Kuomintang Party, which he established.

Three People's Principles

Nationalism: end to foreign control; People's rights: democracy; People's livelihood: economic security for all.

The Kuomintang

The most prevalent group pushing for modernization & nationalism in China.

The Chinese Communist Party

Communist Party partly founded by Mao, took heavy inspiration from Lenin & Russia.

Mao Zedong

Co-founder of the CCP; developed his own idea of communism to suit Chinese needs.

Chiang Kai-shek

Took over Kuomintang after Yat-sen died

Son of middle class parents; his clientele = bankers & business people

Momentarily partnered with CCP before turning on them

Himalayan Mountains

Southwestern border, provides natural protection from India and other regions.

Tibetan Plateau

High, cold area that limited naval and communications access, served as a barrier in western China.

Yellow and Yangtze Rivers

Two major rivers that supported farming and early Chinese civilization.

North China Plain

Flat, fertile area for agriculture and settlement, led to population growth and cultural development.

Gobi Desert

Vast desert in northern China that served as a barrier to invasion and a difficult route for trade.

Middle Kingdom

Name China used for itself, reflecting its belief that it was the cultural and political center of the world.

Ancestor Worship

Values family loyalty, respect for elders, and belief that ancestors could influence the living.

Qi

Reflects the belief in balance and harmony within nature and the body, showing that the Chinese valued health and order.

Confucius

Philosopher (550-479 BCE) known for advocating good governance and social order based on behavior and virtues.

The Five Relationships

Outlined how people should act towards one another: ruler-subject, father-son, husband-wife, older brother-younger brother, friend-friend.

Jen or Ren

A Confucian term meaning humaneness or benevolence.

The Dao

Means 'the way' - the right moral path that people and rulers should follow.

Filial Piety

Ideal respect and obedience children are to show towards their parents, reflecting Confucius' values of family loyalty.

Civil Service Exams

Tests based on Confucius' teachings used to choose officials based on merit rather than birth.

Mandate of Heaven

Idea that rulers were chosen by heaven to govern justly; if they failed, they could lose this divine right.

Confucianism

Believed government should lead by virtue and moral example, with rulers acting kindly and subjects showing respect and loyalty.

Legalism

Believed people are naturally selfish and that strict laws and harsh punishments are necessary to maintain order and control.

Daoism

Argued the best government is one that interferes the least, allowing people to live naturally and in harmony with the Dao.

Laozi

Ancient Chinese philosopher believed to be the founder of Daoism and the author of the Dao De Jing.

The Dao De Jing

Laozi's book which outlines Daoist beliefs about simplicity, humility, and balance in life.

Yin & Yang

The concept of opposite forces working together to maintain balance in the world.

Wu-wei

The concept of non-action, meaning people and rulers should align with nature rather than forcing things.

Siddhartha Gautama

Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, who achieved enlightenment after deep meditation.

The 4 Noble Truths

1. Life involves suffering. 2. Suffering is caused by desire and attachment. 3. To end suffering, one must overcome desire. 4. Following the Eightfold Path ends suffering and leads to enlightenment.

The Eightfold Path

A guide in Buddhism consisting of eight steps: right understanding, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.

Nirvana

The ultimate goal of Buddhism, a state of perfect peace and freedom from the cycle of rebirth.

Samsara

The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that Buddhists seek to escape.

Karma

The belief that a person's actions determine their future, influencing the next life.