THE MANDATE OF HEAVEN MING EXPLORATION AND ISOLATION QING GLORY AND DECLINE CHINA THE DYNASTIC CYCLE

THE MANDATE OF HEAVEN Emperor rules by the grace of Heaven Emperor has rights and responsibilities Must do a good job Gave the emperor legitimacy Gave the people the right to rebel Similar to Divine Right of Kings But, not dependent on social class Passed on by Emperor

Dynastic Cycle

THE QING MANCHU RULE Adopted a Chinese Embraced Confucianism But kept apart from the Han No inter-marriage All men wore “queues” Women did not bind feet

KANG XI Emperor Kang Xi Scholarly Open to Western Ideas Tutored by Fr. Verbiest Scientific knowledge strengthened his reign Brought stability and prosperity Problems with son

TROUBLE WITH THE WESTERN BARBARIANS Imbalance of Trade Brits don’t want to pay with silver Flood China with opium Opium Wars ( ) “Unequal treaties” Hong Kong to Brits Westerners takeover “treaty ports”

SPHERES OF INFLUENCE

Spheres of Influence Treaty Ports – Chinese cities controlled by foreigners Extraterritoriality – foreign nationals not subject to Chinese law China is too weak to enforce its own laws within its own country Loss of sovereignty Open Door Policy – US position that all countries should have equal access to the China trade (1899) US wants a piece of the pie

CI XI The Grand Empress Dowager Concubine at 16 Only one to bear a son Title “Mother of Emperor” 1861 Emperor Dies Co-regent for her son Has a powerful lover Rules from “behind the throne” for Tong Zhi

1860’s Time of Great Unrest Taiping Revolt Charismatic Leader - Hong Xiuquan Rallies the People Controls large areas of China 20 Million Dead Decline of the Qing Have the Qing lost the Mandate of Heaven Put down by Foreigners

Decline of the Qing Tong Xi Dies 1875 Guang Xu (age 4) Ci Xi continues as regent Manipulative Ineffective ruler Spends $ for modern navy on Summer Palace Does not deal with problems

100 Days of Reform 1895 Sino-Japanese War China humiliated Loss of Taiwan Loss of tribute 1898 Guang Xu asserts himself Reforms:  Modern industry  Military  Education  Government

The Boxer Rebellion “Society of the Righteous and Harmonious Fist” Alarmed by Western influence and control Loss of land and treasure Missionaries threatened Chinese culture Attacked foreigners 55 days of fighting Put down by western armies