China Responds to Pressure from the West A Brady Sprague Power Point China Responds to Pressure from the West

Table of Contents Advantages of Imperialism Disadvantages of Imperialism Background Information Effects of Imperialism Western Powers Involved Indigenous Response Results of Independence

Advantages of Imperialism Economic gain for Western Europe Strict trade regulations “Canton system” done away with China saved from complete occupation by foreigners Britain able to hold permanent colony of Hong Kong, and control Chinese trade without having to run the entire country Opium trade profitable for British, Americans and Chinese alike

Disadvantages of Imperialism Constant rebellion leads to the death of Millions Opium trade explodes, along with substance addiction in China Qing Empire loses power and sovereignty Taiping Rebellion ensues, becomes the bloodiest war pre-twentieth century

Background Information Qing Empire never had to deal with Napoleon, but British attempts in 1793 to establish diplomatic ties turn European opinion against China Qing forced to put down countless rebellions of disgruntled peasants Minority groups (such as the Mongols) feel disenfranchised by the government Conquest of 1600’s doubles population 1800’s and creates more food, but not enough to alleviate population strain Large Homeless population emerges

Overall Effects of Imperialism British rule of the city of Hong Kong Traditional Chinese isolationism and trade practices rewritten in favor of free trade Rebellions, such as the Taiping rebellion crushed Modernization in China Qing Empire controlled by European interests

Western Powers involved British fight the First opium war against China. British Navy has no Qing adversary, and British marines dominate Qing Bannerman Treaty of Nanking signed, giving Hong Kong to the British, ending the Canton system, and creating 4 new trade ports British and French forces begin a second Opium war from 1856-1860 called the arrow war. Ends with the sacking of the summer palace in Beijing. European forces and money quell the Taiping rebellion Direct rule over Hong Kong, indirect rule over the rest of the empire

Indigenous response Hong Xiuquan founds the Taiping movement to drive out all Foreigners, and Qing, from China Taiping movement captures the city of Nanjing in 1853 and settle it as their capital of the “Kingdom of Heavenly peace” Taiping hold out against Qing siege for more than a decade 20-30 million people die during the Taiping rebellion, the world’s bloodiest civil war Taiping rebellion destroys agricultural centers and Imperial buildings in eastern China

Indigenous Response In 1900, a secrete society of Chinese men called the Boxers held a revolt in an attempt to oust foreigners from the country Primitive weapons were met by British police forces in Beijing, and they were successfully put down by the British

Gaining Independence Administration of Hong Kong was not granted to the People’s republic of China by the British until 1997 Following 1912, the Republic of China was established

Results of Independence Chinese civil war from 1947-1949 People’s Republic of China established China is today a one-party communist state China is one of the world’s fastest growing economies and industrial centers