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1839 – Opium War Battles took place mostly at sea China’s outdated ships were no match for British steam-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…