Do Now Turn notebook to a new page, Create a new assignment title: “Social Darwinism and the White Man’s Burden”

Sample Learning Check Questions: Describe one major effect of the Treaty of Nanjing: China surrendered Hong Kong to the British for the next 150 years. Which countries were involved in fighting the Boxer Rebellion? UK, France, Germany, Russia, Austro-Hungary, Italy, America

Notes: The Century of Humiliation From 200BC to the present day, it has been the norm for China to be the world’s most powerful country. However, from 1840-1949, China became a weak vassal for European trading companies and Japanese colonialism.

Why was China vulnerable? A period of isolation cut off China from diffusion. The corrupt Qing Dynasty only had marginal control over the country. The Chinese fleet had become miniscule.

The Great Divergence While Europe was on the path to industry, China went towards isolation. Unlike Europe or the Middle East, China was entirely self-sufficient. This means that it produced enough food, raw resources, and manufactured products to sustain its population.

Yuan Dynasty: 1271-1368 In 1271, China was conquered by the Mongols. The Mongol rulers of the Yuan Dynasty did a few things that deeply upset the native Han Chinese. Only Mongols were allowed to hold high offices. Muslims from Central Asia were often used as administrators. The Chinese were forced to conduct trade.

Chinese Isolation: 1450-1800 After their experiences with the Mongols, Chinese society in the Early Modern period developed a distrust of foreigners. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), China began to turn away from trade. The Imperial Fleet declined massively Trade was restricted to only a few ports

Notebook response Think about the concept of diffusion and think about the period of 1450-1800. Why was it a disadvantage for China to be cut off from the rest of the world?

Qing Corruption The last imperial dynasty of China lasted from 1644-1912. By the mid 1700s, just as Europeans were beginning to show up, it was in deep trouble.

Qing Corruption The government had committed to a system of low taxes that had put the government in a state of constant debt crisis. There was almost no oversight of local officials so many took bribes. Famine and rebellion were extremely common. Between 1850-1877, 20 million people died in wars between the government and locals.

Notebook response How would this particular government be vulnerable to imperialism?

Decline of the Navy The Chinese army was massive, even during the Qing Dynasty. China had been neglecting its navy since the 15th century. In 1800, the Chinese war fleet was small and mostly composed of single-deck wooden ships.

Decline of the Navy The Chinese fleet proved to be of almost no threat to European armored frigates and later Ironclads. As a result, European powers dominated China’s eastern coasts but had very little influence inland.

Why was China vulnerable? A period of isolation cut off China from diffusion. The corrupt Qing Dynasty only had marginal control over the country. The Chinese fleet had become miniscule.

Task: Unequal Treaties Timeline Make a timeline from 1840 to 1940 Mark each treaty on timeline. Also record: Which nations signed the treaty The 2-3 most major effects of the treaty. Treaties: Nanking Shimonoseki Wanghia The Boxer Protocol Tientsin The 21 Demands