Qing Dynasty Study Guide Flashcards

Key Emperors and Figures of the Qing Dynasty

The Qing dynasty was characterized by several influential leaders who shaped China's expansion and internal policies. Kangxi was an early emperor who focused extensively on the expansion of China's borders and influence. Later, the Emperor Qianlong ruled during a period of perceived superiority; he believed that China was the best nation and famously rejected British invitations for increased trade, asserting that China did not need British goods. Toward the end of the dynasty, Puyi ascended the throne as a $5$ year old child before eventually giving up his throne, although he was permitted to continue living within the Forbidden City. Other notable figures who resisted change include Ci Xi, the Empress Dowager who sought to stop reforms within China to maintain traditional power structures.

Diplomatic Missions and Early Trade Policies

During the reign of King George III, the King of British, a diplomatic mission was led by Lord Macartney to China. The primary goal of this mission was to negotiate trade terms with Emperor Qianlong, though the negotiation was ultimately unsuccessful. Historically, China maintained an Isolation Policy, which restricted trade exclusively to people within their own dynasty. In the $1500s$, this policy governed their interactions with the West. Later, the Canton System was established, which restricted all foreign trade to the single port of Canton. Under this system, foreigners were required to pay for goods in silver, which served as China's currency, and were strictly mandated to follow Chinese laws and regulations.

The Opium Wars and Unequal Treaties

The trade relationship between Britain and China deteriorated significantly during the reign of Queen Victoria, leading to the Opium Wars. This was a conflict fought specifically over the trade of Opium, a type of drug. China lost this war, which lead to a period characterized by Unequal Treaties. These agreements provided Western countries with significantly more power and land than China possessed. A primary example is the Treaty of Nanjing, which ended the Opium War. This treaty forced China to open its ports to foreign trade, cede land to Britain, and pay monetary reparations. Additionally, the concept of Extraterritoriality became prevalent, wherein foreigners in China followed their own nations' laws rather than Chinese laws. If a foreigner broke a Chinese law, they were subjected to a trial in their own home country.

Foreign Encroachment and the Open Door Policy

As the power of the central government weakened in the $1800s$, European nations were able to carve up China into Spheres of Influence. These were specific areas within China that were controlled economically by various foreign countries. European nations were successful in this endeavor because they possessed stronger military power compared to China's struggling government. In response to these exclusive spheres, the United States proposed the Open Door Policy. This policy advocated for China to be open for trade with the United States and supported the principle of equal trade opportunities for all countries operating within China.

Internal Unrest and the Taiping and Boxer Rebellions

Social and political unrest grew significantly in China during the $1800s$, leading to major uprisings. The Taiping Rebellion involved poor citizens rebelling against the Qing government because they were dissatisfied with the loss of the Opium Wars and the resulting loss of land to foreigners, such as the British. On the other hand, the Boxer Rebellion was led by Chinese peasants who rebelled against foreigners and Chinese Christians. These peasants were suffering from famine and flooding and attributed these disasters to the invasion of their land by foreigners. In the wake of these rebellions, the government attempted to undertake several reforms, including government reforms, military reforms, and education reforms.

The Hundred Days Reform and Modernization Efforts

In an attempt to modernize the nation, China initiated the Hundred Days Reform. The goals of this movement were to improve the national education system, modernize the government, and reform the civil service exams. The civil service exams were critical competitive tests that individuals were required to pass in order to serve in the Chinese government. Despite these efforts, internal instability continued, leading eventually to the Xomhai Revolution (also known as the $1911$ revolution), which signaled the end of the imperial era.

Sun Yatsen and the Rise of the Republic

Sun Yatsen was a pivotal figure who fundraised among Chinese communities in other countries to spread revolutionary ideas. He created the Tongmenghui, also known as the revolutionary alliance, and founded the Guomindang, which was his political party. Sun Yatsen sought an alliance with Yuan Shikai to help defeat foreign influencers, promising Yuan Shikai that he would become the president if he assisted in this goal. Sun Yatsen's ideology was centered on the Three Principles of the People:

1. Nationalism: Having pride in the country and a desire to remove foreigners from China.
2. Republicanism: A system where citizens vote for representatives in government to rule and create laws.
3. Socialism: A system where the government owns farms, factories, and railroads to help the people.