The Qing Empire

Economic and Social Disorder, 1800 - 1839 1600s, Qing conquered China Restored peace & stability Promoted agriculture 1800, Population pressure became a problem Environmental damage Large rural poor sectors appear Many began feeling that government was corrupt

Economic and Social Disorder, 1800 - 1839 Discontent led to internal rebellions Ex. White Lotus Rebellion (1794 – 1804) Restoration of Ming Coming of the Buddha

The Opium War and Its Aftermath, 1839 - 1850 By early 1800s, British were exporting massive quantities of opium to China Against Chinese trade policies Disrupted efficiency of work at all class levels

The Opium War and Its Aftermath, 1839 - 1850 1839, Qing demanded that British end opium trade British refused and war broke out The Opium War (1839 – 1842) British crushed Qing forces using: Organized Army vs. Qing Bannermen Naval gunboats Percussion-cap rifles

The Opium War and Its Aftermath, 1839 - 1850 1842, Qing signed Treaty of Nanking Opened additional treaty ports British sought additional markets for their industrial products Economic imperialism British acquired Hong Kong British received favorable trading conditions Most-favored-nation status Extraterritoriality rights Increased Chinese discontent with foreigners

The Taiping Rebellion, 1850 - 1864 1850, social unhappiness to civil war Taiping Rebellion Founded by Hong Xiuquan Religiously inspired 1853, Taipings captured Nanjing At the same time, Europeans launched the Arrow War Only after 10 years did the injection of European weaponry & money finally end the Taiping Rebellion

Decentralization at the End of the Qing Empire By the 1860s, the Qing were in a poor state Internal war expenses Foreign debt Agricultural problems England installed financial advisors Continued economic imperialism

Decentralization at the End of the Qing Empire 1861 – 1895, as a response to frequent rebellions, China began a self-strengthening movement State-Sponsored industrialization Led by provincial governors Ex. Zeng Guofan worked to restore agriculture & build industry Also by Empress Dowager Cixi Imprisoned emperor & supported a failed anticolonial movement The Boxer Rebellion (1900)