1. China Before the Opium War (1840) Session 2

2. Table of Contents I. Dynastic Cycle in Chinese History II. Establishment of the Qing Dynasty III. Accomplishments of the Qing IV. Mentality of the Qing V. Emperor Qianlong vs. Lord Macartney VI. Social Problems and Potential Crises VII. Conclusion

3. I. The Dynastic Cycle

5. Timeline

6. Peasant rebellion Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Zhu Yuanzhang Li Zicheng

7. II. Establishment of the Qing The Manchus conquered China in 1644 (2%) Han people & minorities (today: 56 ethnic groups, Han is 92%) Correct policies to win Chinese support Funeral of Ming Emperor Chongzhen The Civil Service Examination System Origin back to Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE), end in 1905 Four Confucian books and five Chinese classics Dual government system based on Ming’s tradition Civil Affairs Finance Rituals War Justice Public Service

8. III. Accomplishments of the Qin Political consolidation and territorial expansion Economic development Cultural prosperity Population exposion

9. III-1. Qing’s Territorial Expansion From outer Mongolia in the north to Guangdong in the south, from coast in the east to Central Asia in the west.

10. III-1. The Qing and Its Neighbors- The Tributary System Dozens of nations in East, Southeast and Central Asia acknowledged China’s authority over them: Korea, Annam (N. Vietnam), Laos, Burma, Siam (Thailand), Bhudan, Nepal, Sulu (in Southern Philippines) the Gurkhas, Khohkans, bukhara, Burut, Badaksha,, Afghanistan and the Kazaks.

11. III-2. China’s Share of World GDP

12. III-3. Cultural Achievements The great compilation of Tang Dynasty poetry in 1705Tang Dynasty Kangxi Dictionary in 1716 with 47,000 characters The Complete Library of Four Treasures in 1782: They were bound in 36,381 volumes ( 册 ) with more than 79,000 chapters ( 卷 ), comprising about 2.3 million pages, and approximately 800 million Chinese characters. 册 卷 Chinese characters

13. III-4. Population Increase from less than 200 million in late Ming to 400 million in 1850s

14. IV. Mentality of the Qin Civilization vs. “barbarian” The tributary states Emperor Qiang Long met Lord Macartney in 1793

15. V. Emperor Qianlong met Lord George Macartney in 1793

16. King George III’s letter to the Chinese emperor in 1792 We reply on your Imperial Majesty’s wisdom and justice and general benevolence to making so conspicuous in your long and happy reign, that you will please to allow our Ambassador and Representative at your court to have the opportunity of contemplating the examples of your virtues and to obtain such information of your celebrated institutions; as will enable him to enlighten our people on his return; …… you will be pleased to allow to any of our subjects frequenting the coasts of your domination, and conducting themselves with propriety, a secure residence there, and a fair access to your markets,……

17. Macartney’s Mission: Asked for free trade and open cities as trading ports Qianlong’s reply: “We possess all things. I set no value on objects strange or ingenious, and have no use for your country’s manufactures.” “It behooves you, O King, to respect my sentiments and to display even greater devotion and loyalty in future, so that, by perpetual submission to our Throne, you may secure peace and prosperity for your country thereafter.”

18. Discussion What was the mentality of the Chinese rulers before the early 19th century and why? What would happen if Emperor Qianlong accepted Lord Macartney’s proposal to have open trade with Great Britain and open China to the world?

19. VI. Social Problems and Potential Crisis China’s trade surplus became deficit because of opium trade: opium cost China 800 million taels of silver ($1.5 billion) per year The army lost morality and strength to fight Population pressure Racial conflicts between the Manchus & Han people Local rebellions Challenges from the West Corruption-He Shen- His total property was ultimately estimated at around 1,100 million taels of silver, estimated to be an amount equivalent to the imperial revenue of the Qing government for 15 years.taels

20. China in the Eyes of Lord Macartney The Empire of China is an old, crazy, first-rate Man of War, which a fortunate succession of and vigilant officers have contrived to keep afloat for these hundred and fifty years past, and to overawe their neighbours merely by her bulk and appearance. But whenever an insufficient man happens to have the command on deck, adieu to the discipline and safety of the ship. She may, perhaps, not sink outright; she may drift some time as a wreck, and will then be dashed to pieces on the shore;

21. VII. Conclusion 1. China was the largest economy & one of the most powerful countries in the world in 19 th century. 2. China’s tributary system and Sino-centric mentality made the rulers of the Qing refuse to treat other nations equally, and neglect the challenges from Great Britain. 3. China’s missed an opportunity to emerge herself into the world in 1793. 4. China isolation and the challenge from the West led to a historically unprecedented crisis and a century of humiliation soon.

22. Assignment Recommended Reading: Chapter 2-6, Immanuel C.Y. Hsu, The Rise of Modern China, 6th edition, Oxford, 2000

23. Chinese Language’s Impact Comparison between alphabet-based languages and Chinese language Phoenician language. Greek lang.-Latin lang. Most modern alphabet languages Many countries based on different languages Chinese language has lasted more than 3000 years

24. Chinese language in the information era 中国 (zhongguo) 中 (zhong) 1 中 2 种 3 重 4 钟 5 忠 6 众 7 终 8 仲 9 肿 国（ guo ） 1 过 2 国 3 郭 4 锅 5 果 6 裹 7 帼 8 猓 9 虢 中国 （ zhg) New England 新英格兰 （ xin ying ge lan- xygl) Culture Revolution 文化大革命（ wen hua da ge ming - whdgm)

25. Questions? Thank you!