China Flashcards
Hong Xiuquan
Believed himself to be the brother of Jesus + destined to reform China by establishing new order + destroying Qing; “Heavenly King”; Leader of Taiping rebellion; Inspired by Christianity
The Society of God Worshipers
Religious group - Followers of Hong Xiuquan
Taipings
Followers of Hong Xiuquan; Believed in western ideas
What inspired Hong Xiuquan’s vision for the Taiping Rebellion?
Series of visions made him to believe he was divinely chosen to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and establish the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.
Who defeated the Taipings?
Dowager Empress Cixi
Causes of weakening
Military defeat from Europeans; Taiping rebellion
Result of European influence
Sovereignty undermined due to unfair treaties; Economically exploited; Can’t solve domestic problems
What were the impacts of military defeat and unequal treaties on China?
Humiliated China; Undermined sovereignty + split the nation; Economic exploitation; Hindered domestic problem-solving
How did the Qianlong Emperor restrict European trade in China?
Europeans could only trade at Guangzhou waterfront through cohongs
Cohongs
Chinese licensed firms - Only way for Europeans to trade (set prices + strict gov regulations)
Trade with Europeans before Opium
Chinese had little demand for European products → Europeans had to pay for Chinese products with silver
What Chinese products did European consumers wanted?
Silk + porcelain + lacquerware + tea
Opium Trade
Started by British East India Company (wanted more profitable exchange than silver → opium); Illegal but very profitable
Opium trade process
Grown in India → Shipped to China → Euros traded for Chinese silver coins → Silver goes back to British-controlled Calcutta + London → Company merchants traded silver for Chinese products in Guangzhou
Why was the Opium trade able to happen?
European + Chinese smugglers + Chinese officials who benefited;
Consequences of Opium Trade
Economic (drained Chinese silver) and drug problem
Lin Zexu
Started the Opium War; Destroyed opium trade -> Opium War
Opium War Cause
British anger towards closing of trade - Merchants forced their gov into war
Opium War
Military conflict designed to reopen opium trade; Revealed British military + naval superiority; Chinese refused to give up; British broke stalemate by attacking the Grand Canal → Chinese asked for peace
Unequal Treaties
Series of pacts / treaties made with Britain that undermined Chinese sovereignty
Treaty of Nanjing
1st unequal treaty; Ceded Hong Kong to Britain; Opened 5 ports to trade; Granted Britain “most-favored nation” status; Exempted British citizens from Chinese law
What other impacts did unequal treaties have on China?
Legalized opium; Allowed Christian missions; Prevented tariffs on imports; Ended tributary states
China at the end of the Unequal Treaties
Ports controlled by foreign powers; Economy controlled by foreign merchants; Christian missionaries converted citizens; Waters patrolled by foreign gunboats
What caused rebellions in China?
Increasing poverty due to increase pop + slow cultivated land; Discontent of peasantry due to land owned by wealthy + gov corruption
Why did Chinese citizens despise their government?
Qing elites are Manchu ruling class - seen as foreigners
Taiping Reform Programs
Radical; Abolished private property; Communal wealth; Banned foot binding + concubinage; Free public education; Simplified the written language; Gender equality
Capital of the Taipings
Nanjing - Great Peace
How did the Qing government defeat the Taiping Rebellion?
With support from Chinese gentry + regional armies led by scholar-gentry + European advisors + advanced weapons
Why did the Chinese gentry support the Qing?
Taiping is too radical for them; Support Qing cause they are dedicated to preserving the established order
Consequences of the Taiping Rebellion
0-30 million deaths; Agricultural collapse + starvation (eating grass, leather, hemp, human flesh)
Result of the Taiping Rebellion
Qing gov. realized changes were necessary -> Tried to adopt efficient + benevolent Confucian government to solve social + economic problems; Adopted foreign tech
What was the goal of the Self-Strengthening Movement?
Solve military + economic problems by blending Chinese culture with Western technology while preserving Confucian values + reestablish agricultural society
What were the reforms under the Self-Strengthening Movement?
Built shipyards + railroads + weapons industries + science academies; Reforms were limited and lacked government prioritization
Result of the Self-Strengthening Movement
Didn’t bring enough change to make real difference; Didn’t limit foreign activity
How did Empress Dowager Cixi undermine the Self-Strengthening Movement?
She diverted funds intended for the navy to build a marble boat and opposed significant reforms
How did Chinese elites undermine the Self-Strengthening Movement?
Worried industrialization would bring social change to agricultural land + European education would undermine commitment to Confucian values
How was China divided into spheres of influence?
Foreign powers like Britain, Germany, France, Russia, and Japan gained exclusive rights to develop railways and mines in different regions
Hundred Days Reforms
Lead by Kang Youwei + Liang Qichao - Reinterpreting Confucian ideas to justify radical change; Supported by Guangxu
Guangxu
Wanted to make China constitutional monarchy (civil liberty; dispel corruption; education reform; encourage foreign influence; modernize military; stimulate economy)
Why did the Hundred Days Reforms fail?
Guangxu’s aunt (Empress Dowager Cixi) stopped the reforms; Imprisoned him + executed leading reformers
Boxer Rebellion
Anti-foreign movement led by the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists; Supported by Cixi; Violent militia; Killed foreigners + Christians; Defeated by European troops
Consequences of the Boxer Rebellion
Crushed by foreign troops; Led to foreign military presence in Beijing + further weakened the Qing government
What events led to the fall of the Qing dynasty?
Internal rebellions; Failed reforms; Foreign domination; Death of Cixi; Emperor Puyi’s abdication
