Imperialism in China
During the 1500s, Chinese civilization had been highly advanced, and
the Chinese at that time had little interest in European products.
Despite efforts from the British to open trade with China, there was
only limited trade between China and Europe over the next 300 years.
Click here to watch a video clip about the Chinese Emperor Qianlong
resisting trade with England. Answer the questions on your paper.
You can pause the video if you need to.
World History: The Modern Era. Discovery Channel School. 2004. unitedstreaming. 14 November 2007
<http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/>
In the early 1800s, British merchants found a way to break
China’s trade barriers and earn huge profits. In exchange
for Chinese tea, silk, and porcelain—and to avoid paying
cash—the merchants smuggled a drug called opium into
China. In 1839, Chinese troops tried to stop the smuggling.
When the British resisted, war broke out.
Take a minute to look at the list of British arguments for the
Opium War with China. Label each as either social (s),
political (p), or economic (e). Give a one sentence
justification for each answer.
On your organizer, record what each document shows regarding
Chinese feelings about the British and the Opium War. Be sure to
give actual facts/quotes from the documents.
Letter from Lin Tse-hsu, to Queen Victoria, 1839. On the Opium Trade
Lin Tse-Hsu (1785-1850) was the Chinese Commissioner in Canton whose actions precipitated the Opium
Wars (1839- 1842). By the early nineteenth century opium was the principal product that the English East
India Company traded in China and opium addiction was becoming a widespread social problem. When the
emperor's own son died of an overdose, he decided to put an end to the trade. Lin Tse-Hsü was sent to
Canton, the chief trading port of the East India Company, with instructions to negotiate an end to the
importation of opium into China. The English merchants were uncooperative, so he seized their stores of
opium. This led to immediate military action. Lin Tse-Hsu's "Letter of Advice to Queen Victoria" was written
before the outbreak of the Opium Wars. It was a remarkably frank document, especially given the usual highly
stylized language of Chinese diplomacy. There remains some question whether Queen Victoria ever read the
letter.
The People of Canton: Against the English, 1842
The British used gunboats to bombard the Chinese ports. The
Chinese were easily defeated as they lacked modern weapons to
compete against the British.
Click on the box below to watch a short video clip about the Opium War.
Assignment Discovery: When Civilizations End. Discovery Channel School. 2004. unitedstreaming. 14 November 2007
<http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/>
The Treaty of Nanking, 1842
The Treaty of Nanking ended the Opium War between China and Great
Britain, which had lasted from 1839-1842. Click on the link below to read
the provisions of the treaty and answer the questions on your paper.
The Treaty of Nanking
The Boxer Rebellion
In an attempt to modernize China, some reformers in the late
1800s began a “self-strengthening” movement. This program
involved importing Western technology and educational
methods. They also worked to improve agriculture and
strengthen the armed forces.
These efforts were hindered by a lack of government support.
Chinese weakness was further exposed by a war against
Japan in 1894.
By the late 1890s, anti-foreign feelings in China had led to the
formation of secret societies dedicated to removing diplomats,
entrepreneurs, missionaries, and other foreigners from the
country. One group, the Righteous and Harmonious Fists,
practiced a Chinese form of boxing, and Westerners named its
members Boxers. In 1900, the Boxers carried out attacks
against foreigners and Chinese Christians.
Click on the box below to watch a short video about the Boxer
Rebellion.
Assignment Discovery: When Civilizations End. Discovery Channel School. 2004. unitedstreaming. 14 November 2007
<http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/>
When you have finished, read the about the Boxer Rebellion
and answer the corresponding questions. You can click here
to read online, or raise your hand to get a paper copy.
THE END