Chinese Resistance

Resistance

Looked down on foreigners Self-sufficient Healthy agricultural economy Spanish and Portuguese traders

brought many crops

Tea Opium Connection

Earned more for its exports than imports

Opium introduced by the Europeans By 1835 12 million Chinese addicted Originally used as a painkiller

War Breaks Out

Opium War of 1839 China’s ships outmatched by the

British Treaty of Nanjing

Gave Hong Kong to the British Extraterritorial rights

Foreigners were not subject to Chinese law at sea port cities

Taiping Rebellion

Led by Hong Xiuquan (shee-oo-choo-ohn)

Share China’s vast wealth, no poverty

Organized a peasant army of one million

Took over Nanjing in 1853

Troubles

Leaders of the Taiping government feuded

Imperial troops, British and French forces launched attacks against the Taiping

1864 Taiping government fell, over 20 million would die in the rebellion

Resistance to Change

Dowager Empress Cixi reforms Reigned from 1862-1908 Educational system Diplomatic service Military

Sphere of Influence Foreign nations controlled trade and

investment 1899, US declared an Open Door Policy

China’s doors be open to merchants of all nations

Nationalism

1898, Emperor Guangxu introduced measures to modernize China Educational system, economy, military,

government Dowager Empress

Placed Guangxu under arrest and took control

Boxer Rebellion

Group of Chinese nationalist s that resented foreign influence 1900, Boxers surrounded Beijing and

kept it under siege for several months before being defeated by the military

Reforms Restructure government, establish a

constitution