China Resists Outside Influence Chapter 12 Section 1

China Resists Outside Influence Chapter 12, Section 1

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 18 th 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• The pleas to stop the illegal opium trade are ignored • 1839 – Opium War – Battles took place mostly at sea – China’s outdated ships were no match for British steam-powered gunboats • 1842 – Treaty of Nanjing – Gave British the island off Hong Kong

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 1830 s – 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 • 1850 s – 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 selfstrengthening 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

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

Boxer Rebellion FRUSTRATIONS • Poor peasants and workers resented special privileges of foreigners • Resented Chinese Christians for adopting foreign faith RESULTS • Formed the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists (Boxers) • Campaign against Dowager Empress became known as 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…