1. The Qing Empire

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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)