Honors Global History II: Imperialism in China

What is the definition of the term “import"?

The act of bringing goods or services into a country from abroad for sale.

What is the definition of the term “export"?

The act of sending goods or services to another country for sale.

What is the definition of the term “trade surplus"?

The amount by which the value of a country’s exports exceed the values of its imports.

What is the definition of the term “trade deficit"?

The amount by which the host of a country’s imports exceeds the value of its exports.

What were the three main objects trade in China?

Tea, porcelain, and silk

How was tea made?

Tea leaves are heated by hot water. The standard way to make tea is to heat it, pack it into portable cakes, grind it, and mix it in hot water. Eventually, tea leaves were sold in bags pre-grounded.

Why was tea important in China?

It is a huge part of Chinese culture and greatly influences its economy. As a result, it spread around the world and China became wealthy. It was traded for money, but then opium.

How was silk made?

It is made from the fiber of silk worms’ cocoons. The thread-like cocoons can be boiled to separate the thread in the cocoon easily. Then it is dyed and weaved by spools into products.

Why was silk important in Chinese trade?

It is much desired around the world, so silk is traded very often. This increased the silk industry and Asian economies.

How was porcelain made?

It is made from rock and clay found in China, specifically China Stone and Kaolin. They are mixed together with water, dried, kneaded, shaped, designed with cobalt, and then glazed with China Stone, burnt Limestone, and water.

Why was porcelain important in China?

The Chinese emperors often used porcelain for fine tableware. They liked them for their elegance and cultural illustrations. Eventualy, porcelain also became successful in trade.

How was China’s stability at first?

China was largely self-sufficient, so it rejected offers of trade from the West.

Why did China eventually give many of its products of England?

They felt bad for the English

Why did the English want to give its products to China?

England has reached a major trade deficit

What did England trade with China in return for China’s products?

Opium

What happened after the English traded opium with China?

Millions of Chinese people became addicted to opium

Where did England create and trade opium?

India

How did the first Opium War begin?

The Qing emperor demanded that Queen Victoria must stop trading opium with the Chinese. She refused, so the Chinese bombed British ships with opium

Why did England win the Opium Wars?

They had more advanced technology

What treaty was signed after the first Opium War and what did it demand?

The Treaty of Nanjing gave the British the island of Hong Kong and all foreigners extraterritorial rights

What are extraterritorial rights?

When in China, foreigners aren’t subject to Chinese law at Chinese ports

Who was Hong Xiuquan?

He was believed to be the son of God and younger brother of Jesus. He led the Taiping Rebellion.

What were the aspects of the “Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace” Hong Xiuquan was trying create?

1. Everyone would share China’s wealth

2. All social classes would be equal

3. Spread of Christianity

How was the Taiping Rebellion defeated?

The leaders of the Taiping Rebellion constantly feuded and the Qing, British, and French sent troops to attack and eventually bring down the Taiping Rebellion

Who was the Dowager Empress?

She commanded China as part of the Qing dynasty. She committed to traditional values but supported some reforms, such as factories and updated education, military, and diplomatic service.

What was the Sphere of Influence?

An area in which foreign nation controlled China’s trade and investment.

What was the Open Door Policy and who declared it?

The Open Door Policy prevented nations from dividing China and proposed that China’s “doors”be open to merchants from all nations. It was declared by the United States

Who was Guangxu?

He was an emperor who introduced measures calling for the reorganization of China’s education system, economy, military, etc

What happened to Guangxu?

The Dowager Empress and Qing officials saw him as a threat, so she arrested him and reversed his reforms

What is another name for the Boxer Rebellion?

The Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists/the Boxers

What kind of people were the Boxers?

Poor peasants and workers

What did the Boxers rebel against?

Foreigner’s special privileges, Chinese Christians, and the Dowager Empress’s rule

Did the Dowager Empress support the Boxers?

Yes, but she didn’t help them much

How were the Boxers defeated and what was the result?

The Boxers were defeated by a multinational force, but it resulted in a strong sense of nationalism in China

How did China’s government change?

It went from a restructured government into a constitutional government

How did the Dowager Empress use other nations ideas of government?

She sent Chinese officials to study the operations of different nations, such as Japan, Us, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and Italy