Imperialism in China

Key Idea: Conceptual Understanding of Imperialism

  • Western European interactions with Africa and Asia evolved from limited coastal contacts to greater territorial influence.

  • Competing industrialized states aimed to control raw materials and establish new markets.

  • Standards referenced: 2, 3, 4; Themes: MOV, TCC, GEO, GOV, EXCH.

Comparisons of Maps

  • Students will analyze maps of Africa circa 1800 and 1914.

  • Focus on changes and continuities in:

    • Ethnic groups and regions

    • African states

    • European claims

Imperialism in China: Motivations

Objectives

  • Describe motivations behind imperialism in China.

Initial Thoughts

  • Students are encouraged to recall their previous knowledge of China’s history.

Historical Context of China

The 16th Century

  • China had the most sophisticated economy, likely supporting a high standard of living.

  • Prosperity continued under the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), viewed as a period of cultural flourishing.

Population Growth and Challenges

  • Population grew from 150 million in 1650 to 300 million by 1800, reaching 450 million by the 19th century.

  • Loss of land and food shortages resulted from:

    • High population density

    • Introduction of New World crops that altered agriculture patterns.

  • Bureaucratic strain due to stagnant administrative numbers against growing populace.

    • Example: 250,000 citizens per district magistrate.

Governmental Struggles

  • Diminishing governmental control led to crises like the famine from 1876-1879, which resulted in 9.5 million deaths.

Reasons for Imperialist Interest in China

Reason #1: High Demand for Chinese Goods

  • Tea became highly popular in England between the 1700s and 1800s.

  • British merchants aimed to open trade in China to capitalize on the tea demand.

Reason #2: New Markets for Manufactured Goods

  • Industrialization in Europe created a need for new consumer markets.

  • China's massive population posed potential for profit.

Opium Trade and the Opium War

Trade Imbalance

  • The British faced a significant trade deficit, importing more from China than exporting.

  • Demand for Chinese tea led to attempts to sell British goods with little success.

Opium's Role

  • The British turned to opium, cultivated in India, to balance trade.

  • Opium addiction spread widely, with estimates of 10% of the population using it by the late 19th century.

  • Economic degradation tied to the outflow of silver to purchase opium.

Chinese Response and the First Opium War (1839-1842)

  • Lin Tse-hsu implemented measures to curb opium trade:

    • Confiscation of opium

    • Treatment for addicts

    • Exile of foreign opium merchants.

  • British military superiority led to Chinese defeats and forced treaties.

Treaty of Nanjing

  • Established post-Opium War concessions for Britain, which included:

    1. British possession of Hong Kong until 1997.

    2. Mandatory trade with British merchants in selected cities.

    3. Compensation payment to Britain of 21 million ounces of silver.

    4. British extraterritoriality - exemption from Chinese law while in China.

    5. Permission for Christian missionaries to evangelize in China.

Unequal Treaties and Other Conflicts

Overview of Treaties

  • Between 1842 and 1933, China signed multiple unequal treaties post-conflict with foreign powers:

    • Resulted in more open ports, territorial concessions, and expanded extraterritorial rights.

Selected Treaties

  • Treaty of Wanghia (1844, USA)

  • Treaty of Whampoa (1844, France)

  • Treaty of Aigun (1858, Russia)

  • Boxer Protocol (1901, several countries).

The Boxer Rebellion

Background

  • The Boxer Rebellion emerged in the context of foreign imperialism, targeting foreign powers and Chinese Christians.

  • Membership comprised secret societies combining Buddhist and traditional beliefs opposing foreign influence.

Events Leading Up to and During the Rebellion

  • Began in May 1900 with attacks on foreigners, leading to the siege of embassies in Beijing.

  • Initial condemnation from the Qing court, followed by support from the Dowager Empress Cixi due to increasing foreign aggression.

International Response

  • August 4, 1900: A multinational force intervened to save besieged legations.

  • Boxers were overwhelmed after two weeks, leading to foreign military victory.

Long-Term Effects of the Boxer Rebellion

Historian Walter LaFeber's Views

  • The immediate outcome was foreign military success, but it catalyzed a nationalistic awakening in China, perceived as a response to foreign domination.

  • Significant in fostering awareness and organization against foreign influences, setting the stage for revolutionary movements.