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Transcript of The Qing Dynasty Chinese censorship. The Manchu create the Qing Dynasty 1650 The Manchu elite...
The Qing Dynasty
Chinese censorship
The Manchu create the Qing Dynasty 1650
The Manchu elite adopted Chinese ways in bureaucracy and court ceremonies.
The Qing dynasty ruled an area larger than any previous dynasty had (except the Tang).
Manchu Rule
Retained much of the political system of the Ming, but assumed a more direct role in appointing local officials, and reduced their tax exemptions.
Chinese and Manchu officials were paired at the highest posts.
The examination system continued. The rulers were generous patrons
of the arts and employed scholars to compile great encyclopaedias of Chinese learning.
Society in the Early Centuries of Qing Rule
Maintained the social system of the Ming.
Rank and the acceptance of hierarchy were emphasized.
Extended family remained the core unit among the elite.
Women continued to be subservient to men. Their lives centered on the
household. Daughters were less wanted than
sons. female infanticide rose.
Lower-class women continued to work in fields and markets.
Economy Commercial and urban expansion increased during the first
century of Manchu rule. The influx of silver in payment for exports created a favorable
balance of payments. European traders came to Canton, and Chinese merchants
traveled overseas. A new group of merchants, the compradors, who specialized in
the import-export trade were a major link between China and the outside world.
Population quadrupled to approx. 420,000,000. why?
Qing Decline
The exam system was riddled by cheating and favoritism.
Positions in government service were seen as a method of gaining influence and building family fortunes.
Revenue loss weakened the military and dikes deteriorated along the Yellow River.
By the middle of the19th century, flooding left millions of peasants without resources.
Qing Decline Banditry increased. The existing Chinese social and economic
systems couldn’t cope with the changes stemming from the greatly increased population resulting from the introduction of American crops.
The Opium War: Causes
The Manchu continued to treat Europeans as barbarians
Advances by Europeans in science and industry made them serious rivals to the empire.
British had lacked commodities to exchange for Chinese goods.
The importation of opium from India into China, reversed the trade balance in their (British) favor.
The Opium War: Causes
Chinese saw the trade as a threat to their economy and social order.
Silver left the country. Opium addiction became
rampant. Initial government efforts to
check the problem failed.
Immediate Cause of the Opium War
In 1830s, an important official, Lin Zexu, was appointed to end the trade at Canton.
European trading areas were blockaded and opium destroyed.
British merchants demanded and received British military intervention.
The Opium War 1839-1842
Chinese technology had fallen far behind the British as a result of industrialization.
Chinese were defeated on sea and land and sued for peace.
Treaty of Nanjing 1842 First in a a series of unequal treaties. Awarded Hong Kong to the British Opened more ports to European trade and
residence. Won the right to extraterritoriality.
Legacy of the Treaty By the 1890s, 90 ports were open
and foreigners had gained long-term leases over ports and surrounding territory.
Opium continued to pour into China.
By mid-century, British officials managed China’s foreign trade and customs, and the court had to accept European ambassadors.
The Taiping Rebellion 1850-1865
European incursions spawned a massive rebellion in southern China.
Led by cult leader Hong Xiuquan (shee-OH-chew-ahn) who wished to create a “Heavenly Kingdom of Peace.”
Rebels offered called for social reform, land redistribution, and liberation of women.
Traditional Chinese elite were attacked. Aristocracy rallied to the Qing and helped crush the
rebellion. Western powers, fearing a the establishment of a newer,
stronger dynasty, aided the Qing. 12 years of war and 20 million deaths weakened China,
and gave foreign nations a stronger footing.
The “Self-Strengthening” Movement
Led by provincial leaders. Aimed at countering the challenge of the
West. Encouraged foreign investment in
infrastructure and military modernization. Wanted only to preserve the existing order,
not to transform it. The Manchu and the scholar-gentry resisted
reform and opposed the movement. Empress Cixi (zoo shee) she crushed a
serious reform effort in 1898.
Spheres of Influence: European Imperialism in China
In late 19th century, European states began to negotiate directly with local leaders for exclusive trading rights. Railroad and mining privileges Trade monopolies
The Boxer Rebellion 1900
Cixi encouraged rebellion of secret society against foreigners. Members of the Daoist-martial arts society known as the
Righteous Fists of Harmony attacked foreign quarters in Beijing. International force, including
Japan and the United States, crushed the rebellion and forced Qing to pay indemnity.
The Chinese Revolution of 1911
Chinese students worked to overthrow the Qing after the Boxer Rebellion.
Revolutionary Alliance was led by Western educated Sun Yat-sen (Yixian)
Sun's goals were outline in his Three Principles of the People.
Three Principles of the People
Nationalism: self-determination for China Democracy: self-rule with a constitution Socialism: state-directed modernization and
land reform
Qing Overthrown
Military mutinied against the Qing. Revolutionaries elected Sun president of
the Republic of China in 1911. Pu Yi, the last Emperor, abdicated. Without military backing Sun had to resign within
weeks. Assembly elected Yuan Shilai, a regional warlord,
president. Sun organized his followers into a nationalist
political party known as the Guomindang (National People's Party), but was crushed by Yuan.
Foreign influence in China continued. Imperial, Confucianist China was no longer.