World History: European Imperialism, Opium Wars, and Chinese Reforms: Key Concepts and Events

European Imperialism

A time when European countries took control of weaker nations for power, trade, and resources.

Opium War

A war between Britain and China over the trade of opium; China was defeated.

Opium War and its Aftermath

China lost to Britain and had to sign unfair treaties that gave foreign powers more control.

Imperialism

A policy where a strong country dominates weaker ones politically and economically.

Spheres of Influence

Areas in China where certain foreign countries had special trading and control rights.

Extraterritoriality

The idea that foreigners in China were tried by their own country's laws, not China's.

The Manchu/Qing Dynasty

The last ruling dynasty of China, in power from 1644 to 1911.

Taiping Rebellion

A massive peasant uprising against the Qing government that caused millions of deaths.

Taiping Rebellion Aftermath

The rebellion failed, weakened the Qing dynasty, and made China easier to control by foreigners.

Hundred Days of Reform

A short period when Chinese leaders tried to modernize government, education, and industry.

Boxer Rebellion

A Chinese uprising aimed at removing foreign influence and Christian missionaries.

Boxer Rebellion Aftermath

The rebellion was crushed by foreign powers, and China had to pay large fines.

The United States and the Open-Door Policy

A U.S. idea that all nations should have equal trading rights in China.

End of the Qing Dynasty

The dynasty collapsed in 1911 after years of corruption, rebellion, and foreign control.

May Fourth Movement

A 1919 protest by students calling for modernization, reform, and an end to foreign control.

Treaty of Nanjing

The treaty that ended the Opium War; gave Britain Hong Kong and trading rights in China.

Forbidden City

The walled palace in Beijing where emperors lived and ruled for centuries.

Kowtow

A deep bow showing respect to the emperor or important officials.

Foot Binding

A painful practice of tightly wrapping young girls' feet to make them small, once seen as beautiful in China.

Queues

Long braids worn by Chinese men during the Qing dynasty as a sign of loyalty to the emperor.

Indemnities

Large payments China had to make to foreign powers after losing wars or rebellions.

Extraterritorial Rights

Special privileges allowing foreigners to live under their own country's laws in China.

Pu Yi

The last emperor of China, who lost the throne when the Qing dynasty ended.

Sun Yat-sen

The leader who helped end imperial rule and became the first president of the Republic of China.

Three Principles of the People

nationalism, democracy, and people's welfare.