Chapter 12.1“China Responds to Pressure from

the West”

Setting the Stage18th Century – China was stable,

secure empire with thousand year-old traditions

The Chinese looked down upon all foreigners

When an English ambassador brought gifts to the emperor in 1793 as an attempt to open talks with China, the emperor rejected the offerings

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Chinese Products in High Demand

Food – Rice (native) & maize, sweet potatoes, peanuts (imported from the Americas). More food = more people.

Mined Products – salt, tin, silver, iron, ore

Manufactured goods – cotton, porcelain

The Chinese were self-sufficient with a growing economy and population

Quick Write Why might the

Chinese be opposed to opening up trade

with other countries?

Tea & Opium China was closed to trade except

for in one port city China exported (sold to the British)

massive amounts of tea each year = $$$$!

In return, the British were permitted to sell some cheap goods in China, which drained the British silver supply

The British began selling opium to the Chinese as a cash crop

OpiumWas used in Chinese medicine as a

pain relieverThe British smuggled it into China

and sold it as a “recreational drug”12 Million Chinese citizens became

addicted to smoking opium

Opium WarThe Chinese Emperor was furious that

opium was destroying the country and demanded that the Brits stop selling it

The British and the Chinese went to war over the sale of opium; the Chinese lost and signed a treaty which granted

the British rights to Hong Kong and granted foreigners exemption from Chinese laws in several port cities.

THINK – PAIR – SHARE The sale of opium was not allowed in Britain. That is to say, the British could not buy their own cash crop for “recreational use” because the British government recognized that opium is a dangerous and destructive product. 1. How do you think opium dealers

justified the sale of such a dangerous product in China?

2. To what extent do people still justify the sale of damaging products today?

Problems in ChinaFood shortagesFlooding Deteriorating infrastructureCorrupt governmentDiscouraged population addicted

to opiumThe people decided to rebel

against their government, the Qing Dynasty

Taiping Rebellion“Great Peace” rebellion Hong Xiuquan wanted all Chinese

people to share China’s wealth – no one would have to live in poverty

~1 million peasant soldiers joined the rebellion fought and gained control of a sizeable southeastern region

Eventually the Qing & allies regained control (destroyed farmland,14 years, and 20 million+ casualties later…)

Taiping Rebellion

Taiping Rebellion: The Aftermath

After the rebellion (and other smaller rebellions), China felt pressure to make reforms

The Dowager Empress was reluctant to give up traditional values, but made “self strengthening” reforms: focus on education, diplomacy, manufacturing military arsenals

Reforms met luke-warm reception: slight morale boost, but materials were imported for manufacturing

Taking Advantage of ChinaSince China was weak, many

nations looked to take advantage (e.g., gain territory, resources)

Many western countries grabbed hold of China and exerted power over the economy (controlled trade and investment)

China eventually became open to trade from all countries (by force)

The Boxer Rebellion The Dowager Empress arrested

her nephew, executed leaders, and reversed reforms made without her permission

Chinese people had finally had enough misery and unfair treatment

“Boxers” seized a European section of the city – “Death to foreign devils”

New sense of nationalism and need for reforms