1. Imperialism in China
European Imperialism and China

2. Essential Question
How did China’s response to Britain slow their development?

3. China: Causes of Decline
External: Pressure from the West.
Internal: Corruption from within China.
Population growth expands problems during the 1800s.
Peasant population often in rebellion.
Pressure from the West.
1800 – Qing dynasty of the Manchus was at the height of its power.
100 years later, Qing dynasty collapses due to external and internal pressure.
Corruption from within China.
Qing dynasty suffered from corruption, peasant unrest, and incompetence.
These problems were intensified by the booming population.
Population growth expands problems during the 1800s.
1900 – 400 million people were living in China (25% growth from 1800).
Peasant population often in rebellion.
Food shortages were common throughout China in the 1800s.
Qing China

4. The Advance of Imperialism
Large amounts of territory are turned into “spheres of influence.”
One nation has exclusive rights to all trade within that region.
Chinese reform continues to fail due to political infighting.
Large amounts of territory are turned into “spheres of influence.”
Also, Russia seizes territory in Siberia taking advantage of China’s growing weakness.
China loses Taiwan to the Japanese in an 1894 war.
Germany seizes the Shandong Peninsula
One nation has exclusive rights to all trade within that region.
Regional warlords bypass the Qing Dynasty and deal straight with European powers.
Chinese reform continues to fail due to political infighting.
One Hundred Days of Reform.
Massive reform instituted by Emperor Guang Xu.
His aunt, Empress Dowager Ci Xi, with help from Chinese conservatives and the imperial Army end the reforms and imprisons the emperor.
Empress Ci Xi

5. Confucius – Yes Western philosophy – No
Efforts at Reform
China attempts reform through self-strengthening.
Democracy was seen as too radical for China.
Focus was on modernization of the military and industry.
After the rebellion, China attempts reform through Self-Strengthening.
Adopt Western technology.
Keep Chinese values (Confucius).
Democracy was seen as too radical for China.
Some reformers wanted it but regional warlords did not want to give up control.
They have military forces (used against the rebellion).
They had the power to tax (to pay for war).
Focus was on modernization of the military and industry.
Railroads, weapons factories, and shipyards.
Chinese values remained constant.
Confucius – Yes Western philosophy – No

6. Opening the Door to China
Fear that others would overrun China, Britain and the US take action.
U.S. “declares” an open door policy regarding China.
Trade was to be open to all countries.
Fearing that other countries would overrun China, Great Britain and the United States take action.
U.S. “declares” an open door policy regarding China.
No one country would reign supreme in China.
Trade was to be open to all countries.
Doesn’t end the “spheres of influence” but it does loosen restrictions on trade.
Fears about one European country getting “ahead” of another European country diminish.
U.S. Secretary of State John Hay

7. The Fall of Qing Qing dynasty is eager for reform.
Revolution breaks out in 1911.
Sun Yat-sen
Young Reformer
General Yuan Shigai
Member of the old order
Revolution leads to Civil War.
Qing dynasty eagerly reforms itself.
Too little, too late.
Reforms in education, government administration, and in the legal system.
Middle-class reforms upset with pace of reforms.
Revolution breaks out in 1911.
Central China erupts in Rebellion in October of 1911.
The people of China embrace the rebellion and Qing dynasty collapses.
Sun Yat-Sen, reformer and revolutionary.
Military takeover.
After Sun’s death, Chiang Kai-shek takes over.
General Yuan Shigai, head of the army for the Qing Dynasty.
Sent to destroy rebellion but joins rebellion.
Is made President of the new Chinese Republic.
His support is required as Shigai controls the military.
Uses terror and murder to set up Western institutions.
Fails to truly understand the changes that need to be made.
Revolution leads to Civil War.
Qing Dynasty Flag

8. The Rest of Asia
Southeast Asia is carved up by European powers much like Africa was
Most nations are no match for Imperial nations
The Exception: Thailand (King Mongkut)