5)China+Responds

In the early 19th century, Great Britain began importing opium, processed from poppy plants grown in the Crown Colony of India, into China. Chinese officials attempted to ban the importation of the highly addictive opium, but ultimately failed. The British declared war on China in a series of conflicts called the Opium Wars. Superior British military technology allowed them to claim victory and subject the Chinese to a series of unequal treaties.
 * Opium War-**

For U.S. citizens and other foreign citizens, these rights provided exemption from Chinese law at 4 Chinese ports besides Guangzouh. A policy that guaranteed European citizens in China were only subject to the laws of their own nation and could only be tried by their own courts.
 * Extraterritorial Rights-**

A revolt by the people of China against the ruling Manchu Dynasty because of their failure to deal effectively with the opium problem and the interference of foreigners.
 * Taiping Rebellion-**

A region in which the foreign nation controlled trade and investment. In China, these areas guaranteed specific trading privileges to each imperialist nation within its respective sphere. This map shows which countries were involved in Chinese trade as of 1910. China had spheres of influence where foreign nations controlled trade and investment. This is considered an indirect form of colonization. Declared by the U.S., this policy proposed that China's "doors" be open to merchants of all nations. Britain and other European powers agreed. The policy thus protected the rights of American trading rights in China and China's freedom from colinization. China was still however at the mercy of other foreign powers. This was a form of imperialism because China did not consent it.
 * Sphere of Influence-**
 * Open Door Policy-**

Poor peasents and workers showed their resentment of Chinese Christians, and priviledges granted to foreigners. To show their discontent they created a secret organization called The Society of Harmonious fists. Nick-named boxers, their campaign against the Dowager Empress' s rule and foreign priviledge was known as the Boxer Rebellion.
 * Boxer Rebellion-**

PRE-COLONIZATION
 * The Qing faced peasantry rebellion, and protests against the injustices of social magistrates. These were quickly suppressed while the incompetent and untrustworthy officials were removed from their positions.
 * Dealing with their domestic problems, the Qing were forced to ignore foreign affairs and problems.
 * Another cause of their isolationism was their pride. They looked down upon all foreigners, thinking highly of only their ancient culture.
 * China was able to be self-sufficient because of their staple source of rice which grew quickly. In addition, Spanish and Portuguese traders brought new world crops such as maize and sweet potato to China in the 17th and 18th centuries. These healthy crops and their high productivity led to a population boom throughout China.
 * Although not as modernized as Europe, China provided for its people through their mines and factories. These productions provided work for people as well as daily essentials.

ECONOMIC & SOCIAL DISORDER
 * The first English Ambassador was permitted to enter China in 1793. His gifts, only the newest of technology, to the Emperor were rejected. The Emperor and other officials believed that they already had all that was needed in the world, and did not wish to waste their time with new "gadgets".
 * Early conquest provided stability in Central Asia as agriculture expanded and the population increased. This however provided an overflow of farmers and merchants many of whom were homeless or unemployed.
 * Throughout this time period, an increased number of foreigners and missionaries caused discontent in Qing China.
 * The White Lotus Rebellion from 1794 to 1804 was inspired by the prediction of Ming restoration and the coming of Buddha. Instead, it caused internal conflicts and social instability which were intensified with ethnic conflicts and religious diversity.

THE OPIUM WAR & ITS AFTERMATH 1839-1850 The Opium Wars, between Great Britain and China over the sale of Opium in China. Britain was fighting for their rights to sell the profitable narcotic in China. The Qing government was fighting against the trade of Opium as it was ruining their civilians' lives. THE TAIPING REBELLION
 * The Qing government was very unaware of the money being made by European powers and the United States off of smuggling opium into China.
 * After news of this endeavor, the Chinese government ban opium. In 1839, Britain responded to this act by declaring the Opium War.
 * Because China did not have a navy or the same quality of technology, they could not compete with Great Britain.
 * The Opium War ended with the Treaty of Nanking after Great Britain made large advancements through the Yangzi River. This treaty increased the number of open ports, made Hong Kong a British colony, created extraterritorial rights, lowered tariffs, gave money to Great Britain, and promised Britain all the same rights that were given to any other country by China. This last guarantee prevented the colonization of China by anyone other than Great Britain.
 * In 1860 opium was finally legalized by the Chinese government. Despite this movement, treaties kept trade open as well as the rights of missionaries.
 * Around the same time, China began losing land to neighboring countries and independence movements.
 * Territories were able to be created by foreigners who created lives through the production of offices, factories, employing Chinese workers, gambling, prostitution, and bars.
 * Missionaries provided hospitals, shelters, and soup kitchens to the Chinese public. Despite their good work, many believed them to be evil because they condemned ancestral worship, enforced orphanages, and fought against foot-binding.
 * This civil war was caused by social unhappiness and foreign intrusion.
 * It originated in Guangxi where unstable agriculture and poor trade flourished.
 * Ethnic divissions caused by foreign influence caused economic distress and unstable opium trade.
 * Hong Xiuquan led the rebellion. He interpreted missionaries teachings, concluding that he was the younger brother of Jesus.
 * Greater organization separated men and women into different working and military teams for more efficiency.
 * Further organization paired with a growing number of followers made way for a slowed movement going into Northern China.
 * Because of newly modernized technology, flexibility, and self-defense, the Qing began winning battles. This momentum prompted them to surround the Taiping capital for about 10 years.
 * Other problems began appearing for the Qing government. They had to overcome rebellious Nian in Northern China, potential war with Great Britain and France for not noting all parts of the Opium War treaty.
 * These fears of war became a reality in 1856 when British and French fleets attack China's coasts. This is known as the Arrow War. After ensuring power over the Qing, Britain and France joined forces with them against Taiping and Nian forces.
 * Because people tended to move away from the rural rebellions, agricultural centers were devastated, cities' populations increased, and much of China's ancient culture was lost.
 * The rebellion not only affected the economy and culture of China, but also its nature. A major effect was that the Yellow River changed course, causing flood at sometimes and drought at others.

DECENTRALIZATION AT THE END OF THE QING EMPIRE This Map of China shows many major cities and rivers which were greatly affected by colonization. Nanjing, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, were places greatly influenced by foreigners or where foreigners were greatly resisted. With many port cities along China's coast, they were easily controlled and influenced by Western powers seeking trade. BOXER REBELLION This is a picture of a Chinese boxer. These fighters were members of the Society of Harmonious Fists. Together they fought against the Dowager Empress' rule over China because of their discontent with foreigners and missionaries. POST-COLONIZATION
 * In 1850 the Qing Empire experience bankruptcy.
 * The United States, France, and Britain provided administrators and generals to the Chinese government to provide knowledge, technology, and communications.
 * Provincial governors were given the power to set up taxes, create troops, and their own bureaucracies.
 * The Chinese government was forced to reform all parts of the government, society, and economy.
 * Dowager Empress Cixi was conservative and favored the traditional Chinese stances. However, she did support some reform movements which boosted military production and improved this technology. Despite these new amends to the Chinese military, foreigners were aware of their weak protection and took advantage of it. Many attacks were made on the Chinese and after each one came a new set of treaties to solve the problem. This allowed foreigners to gain even more control of Chinese soil.
 * To prevent Chinese colonization, which would shut out American trade, the U.S. proposed an open-door policy which ensured free trading to all nations.
 * Promising youths were sent to the United States at a young age where they were educated and trained. They were then sent back to China where they were employed in high government, production, or mechanical positions.
 * China lacked a strong, central, and unified control.
 * After a long line of ineffective emperors, the empire came under control of aristocrats and military men, civilian governors, and a small number of foreign advisers who sought reform.
 * Discontent arose within many Chinese citizens as a result of Chinese Christians who were protected by missionaries, and the special privileges granted to foreigners.
 * Together these peasants united under the Society of Harmonious Fists.
 * Known as the Boxer Rebellion, they campaigned against the Dowager Empress' rule.
 * Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Russia, Japan, and the U.S. sent troops who quickly shut down the rebels.
 * This act prompted a serge of nationalism across China as people realized that the government must listen to the people's needs and that foreign intervention must be resisted.
 * In 1905 Chinese officials were sent to all parts of the world by the Empress where they were to study each governments' unique operations.
 * On their return, suggestions were made to remodel the Chinese government after the Constitutional Monarchy of Japan.
 * These attempted reforms proved unsuccessful as they were slow moving. For the next several years, China was in a turmoil as they faced internal and external threats.