Lecture Terms- Imperialism in China, Australia, & New Zealand

Imperialism in China

Industrialization & Lack of Modernization

• Industrialization was largely absent in China during the imperial period.

• Confucianism influenced societal views on merchant status versus farmer status.

• China regarded itself as the Middle Kingdom (Zhongguo).

European Trade Restrictions

• The Qianlong emperor restricted European trade to the port of Guangzhou starting in 1759.

• Foreign merchants could only engage with licensed cohongs.

• Europeans paid high prices in bullion due to a lack of demand for their goods.

  • The British East India Company shifted focus to the opium trade.

Opium Trade and Its Impacts

• Opium was grown in India and shipped to China, where it was illegal.

• The drug was exchanged for Chinese silver, which was then used to buy Chinese goods.

• Significantly, no British bullion was required.

• Chinese addiction to opium surged, balancing trade for the British.

• Consequences of the opium trade included:

  • Corruption among Chinese officials allowing continued opium trade.

  • A negative toll on the societal structure due to increasing drug addiction.

The Opium War (1839-1842)

• In 1838, Commissioner Lin Zexu took action by destroying confiscated British opium, leading to the Opium War.

• British military advancements outclassed Chinese forces, leading to their refusal to surrender.

• The war ended in 1842 with a steamship/gunboat attack on the Grand Canal.

• This resulted in unequal treaties imposed on China with various western powers.

Treaty of Nanjing (1842)

• Marked the end of the Opium War

• Key conditions included:

  • Cession of Hong Kong to Britain.

  • Opening of five Chinese ports to British trade, including Shanghai.

  • Extension of most-favored-nations status to Britain.

  • Extraterritoriality was granted to British subjects.

Further Unequal Treaties

• Other nations including France, Germany, Japan, and the United States received similar treaties that:

  • Legalized the opium trade and established Christian missions in China.

  • Opened more ports under foreign control and restricted the Qing government’s ability to impose tariffs.

  • Resulted in the loss of tributaria states like Vietnam, Korea, and Burma.

Nationalism and Reactions in China

Rise of Turmoil

• Growing nationalist sentiments in response to European control initiated social unrest.

• Widespread poverty, population growth, and unbalanced land ownership intensified peasant suffering.

• This situation led to several rebellions, notably the Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864).

Taiping Rebellion

• Led by Hong Xiuquan, who aimed to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and promote societal reforms,.

• Proposed reforms:

  • Abolishing private property and establishing communal wealth.

  • Prohibition of foot binding and concubines, along with promoting public education.

• Revolutionary claims for democracy and industrialization gained traction.

Key Events and Outcomes

• The Taiping movement grew to control Nanjing, eventually targeting Beijing.

• Although Qing forces, led by Dowager Empress Cixi, eventually defeated them, the rebellion resulted in a devastating death toll of 20-30 million.

• The rebellion led to significant agriculture decline and famine, further exemplifying the need for reform.

• Qing reforms attempted through Confucianism and technology adaptation were largely ineffective due to internal resistance.

Spheres of Influence and Reform Movements

Spheres of Influence

• China risked total destruction as Western powers gained exclusive rights in various regions under the Qing government.

Hundred Days Reform (1898)

• Encouraged by scholars Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao, attempts were made to modernize China, including:

  • Establishing a constitutional monarchy and civil liberties.

  • Modernizing education and military alongside economic development.

• These reforms faced immediate pushback from Dowager Empress Cixi, who subsequently imprisoned Emperor Guangxu.

Boxer Rebellion (1899)

• Led by the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, aimed to expel foreign influence.

• Antiforeigner sentiment culminated in violence against foreign nationals and missionaries.

• A coalition of foreign powers retaliated, ultimately suppressing the Boxer Rebellion and further weakening the Qing Dynasty.

Decline of Qing and Final Developments

• The sudden deaths of Emperor Guangxu and Cixi in 1908 marked the impending downfall of the Qing Dynasty.

• The Chinese Revolution emerged in 1911, signaling the end of imperial rule in China.

Imperialism in Australia and New Zealand

British Settler Colonies

• Australia and New Zealand were marked by British colonization efforts.

• Indigenous populations, such as Aborigines and Maori, faced significant displacement.

AP Historical Thinking Skills

Skill 1: Developments and Processes

• Identify and explain significant historical developments and processes.

Skill 2: Sourcing and Situation

• Analyze the sourcing and context of primary and secondary sources.

Skill 3: Claims and Evidence in Sources

• Examine arguments within historical texts.

Skill 4: Contextualization

• Analyze historical events in broader contexts.

Skill 5: Making Connections

• Analyze patterns and connections between historical phenomena.

Skill 6: Argumentation

• Develop and support historical arguments with evidence.

AP World History: Modern Course and Exam Description

Reasoning Processes

• Students must apply specific cognitive processes, leading to critical historical comprehension and analysis.