D. Imperialism in China

D. Imperialism in China1. Since 1644, the rulers of the Qing dynasty refused to adopt western culture

a. The economic, political, and military strength of European imperialists was able to challenge China

2. Control over Trade

a. The Opium War

*British merchants began to trade opium with China in the late 1700’s

*China attempted to halt imports of the drug

-In 1839, to keep trade open, the British decided to fight China

-Britain's superior military and industrial strength led to a quick victory over the Chinese

b. Treaty of Nanjing

*Great Britain forced China to agree to the harsh terms of a treaty-China had to pay reparations open ports

to British trade, and give Britain the island of Hong Kong (until 1997)

-British citizens also were granted extraterritoriality

*In the years that followed, other western powers forced China to sign Unequal Treaties

c. Spheres of Influence were carved out by western powers within China

*Areas in which an outside power claimed exclusive trade privileges

D. Imperialism in China (cont’d)3. Chinese Reactions to Imperialism

a. The Taiping Rebellion, 1850-1864*Chinese peasants, angry at the poverty and corruption, rose up in

revolt against The Qing dynasty

-Resulted in millions of Chinese deaths and further weakened China

b. The Boxer Rebellion*From 1900, a group known as the Boxers by westerners (martial

artists) attacked foreigners across China

-Armies from Japan and the West crushed the uprising -After this Chinese called for western

reforms

c. Sun Yixian and the Chinese Revolution*Chinese nationalism began to intensely develop after the

rebellions

*Many reformers called for an end to imperial rule and wanted a new gov’t

*Sun Yixian , led the movement to replace the Qing dynasty; he had three goals:

-end foreign domination

-form a representative government

-create economic security for the Chinese people

*1911, workers, peasants, student, and warlords toppled the monarchy

-Sun Yixian was named president of the Chinese Republic