The Qing Dynasty

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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.