CHAPTER 12, SECTION 1 China Resists Outside Influence
Jan 18, 2016
CHAPTER 12, SECTION 1
China Resists Outside Influence
Setting the Stage
Chinese looked down on all foreigners
1793 – Qing Emperor agrees to receive an Ambassador from England Brings gifts (clocks, globes, musical instruments, and
a hot-air balloon)
Emperor was not impressed Not interested in “strange objects” and gadgets from
the West
China and the West
China was self-sufficient Healthy agricultural economy (rice, maize, sweet
potatoes, and peanuts) Mining (salt, tin, silver, and iron) Manufacturing (silk, high-quality cotton, and fine
porcelain)
Only place westerners were allowed to do business was the southern port of Guangzho)
Europeans eventually found a product they would buy…
What are the Chinese willing to buy from Europe?
Opium - Narcotic made from the poppy plant
Chinese doctors used it to kill pain
Late 18th Century – British begin to smuggle opium into China for non-medical use
By 1835 as many as 12 million Chinese were addicted
Opium War
Emperor Qing was angry and one of his advisors writes a letter to Queen Victoria
The pleas to stop the illegal opium trade are ignored
1839 – Opium War Battles took place mostly at sea China’s outdated ships were no match for British steam-
powered gunboats
1842 – Treaty of Nanjing Gave British the island off Hong Kong
Letter to Queen Victoria
Answer in your notes:1.Why do you think British traveled to China?2.What motivates the British to trade opium?3.What proof do the Chinese have that the
British know the dangerous affects of opium?4.What is the Chinese attitude towards British
products?5.Do you think the British took this letter
seriously? Why or why not?
Extraterritorial Rights
1844 – additional treaty gives U.S. and other foreign citizens extraterritorial rights Not subject to Chinese law at Guangzhou and four
other ports
Chinese resent foreigners and the trade in opium they conducted
Growing Internal Problems
Number of Chinese grew from 430 million in 1850, a gain of 30% in 60 years
Food production barely increased Hunger was widespread Opium addiction increased as people became
discouraged
Taiping Rebellion
Taiping means great peace
Late 1830s – Hong Xiuquan began recruiting followers to help him build a “Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace” All people would share wealth and no one would live in
poverty
1850s – massive peasant army of one million people Took control of large areas of southeastern China
Taiping Rebellion(continued)
1853 – Hong captures the city of Nanjing and declares it the capital Hong gives family members and trusted lieutenants in
charge of the government of his kingdom Constantly feuded among themselves
Qing and British troops launch attacks
1864 – combination of internal fighting and outside assaults brings down Taiping government At least 20 million people die during the rebellion
1862 – 1908 – Dowager Empress Cixi
Supported the self-strengthening movement Updated education,
diplomatic service and military
Set-up factories to manufacture gunboats, rifles, and ammunition
Other Nations Step In
Many nations took advantage of China’s continuing problems Attacked China Treaty Negotiations gave other nations increasing
influence over China’s econonomy
Many European nations and Japan gained a strong foothold in China Sphere of influence – an area in which a foreign
nation controlled trade and investment.
Other Nations Step In(continued)
Americans worried that other nations would divide China into formal territories
1899- United States declares the Open Door Policy China’s “doors” should be open to merchants of all nations Britain and other nations agree
Protects U.S. trading rights and China’s freedom Country still at the mercy of foreign powers
Pg. 374, Map
Use the Map to answer the “geography skillbuilder” questions in your notes
Upsurge in Chinese Nationalism
Chinese demanded change because of their loss of power
1898 - Emperor Guangxu introduced measures to modernize China Educational System Strengthening the Economy Modernizing Military Streamlining Government
Upsurge in Chinese Nationalism(continued)
Most Qing officials saw these reforms as a threat of power
Called Dowager Empress back to the royal court
On her return she placed Guangxu under arrest, took control of government, and reversed reforms
No change occurred and the Chinese people continued to get frustrated
FRUSTRATIONSFRUSTRATIONS RESULTSRESULTS
Poor peasants and workers resented special privileges of foreigners
Resented Chinese Christians for adopting foreign faith
Formed the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists (Boxers)
Campaign against Dowager Empress became known as Boxer Rebellion
Boxer Rebellion
Boxer Rebellion(continued)
Spring 1900 – Boxers invade Beijing “Death to the foreign devils” Kept European section of the city under attack for
several months
Dowager Empress expressed support but did not provide military support
August 1900 – multinational force of 19,000 defeated Boxers in Beijing
Results of the Boxer Rebellion
Strong sense of nationalism emerged
Chinese people realized their country must resist more foreign intervention
Government must become more responsive to their needs
The Beginnings of Reform
1905 – Dowager Empress sends a select group of Chinese officials on a world tour to study different governments Japan, United States, Britain, France, Germany,
Russia and Italy
1906 – officials return and recommended basing their government on the constitutional democracy of Japan Change was slow
The Beginnings of Reform(continued)
1908 – announcement that they would establish a full constitutional government by 1917.
China continued to experience unrest for the next 4 decades
Japan also experiences pressure from the West…