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Modern World History > China > Flashcards

China Flashcards

1
Q

Hong Xiuquan

A

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

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2
Q

The Society of God Worshipers

A

Religious group - Followers of Hong Xiuquan

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3
Q

Taipings

A

Followers of Hong Xiuquan; Believed in western ideas

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4
Q

What inspired Hong Xiuquan’s vision for the Taiping Rebellion?

A

Series of visions made him to believe he was divinely chosen to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and establish the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

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5
Q

Who defeated the Taipings?

A

Dowager Empress Cixi

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6
Q

Causes of weakening

A

Military defeat from Europeans; Taiping rebellion

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7
Q

Result of European influence

A

Sovereignty undermined due to unfair treaties; Economically exploited; Can’t solve domestic problems

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8
Q

What were the impacts of military defeat and unequal treaties on China?

A

Humiliated China; Undermined sovereignty + split the nation; Economic exploitation; Hindered domestic problem-solving

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9
Q

How did the Qianlong Emperor restrict European trade in China?

A

Europeans could only trade at Guangzhou waterfront through cohongs

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10
Q

Cohongs

A

Chinese licensed firms - Only way for Europeans to trade (set prices + strict gov regulations)

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11
Q

Trade with Europeans before Opium

A

Chinese had little demand for European products → Europeans had to pay for Chinese products with silver

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12
Q

What Chinese products did European consumers wanted?

A

Silk + porcelain + lacquerware + tea

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13
Q

Opium Trade

A

Started by British East India Company (wanted more profitable exchange than silver → opium); Illegal but very profitable

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14
Q

Opium trade process

A

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

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15
Q

Why was the Opium trade able to happen?

A

European + Chinese smugglers + Chinese officials who benefited;

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16
Q

Consequences of Opium Trade

A

Economic (drained Chinese silver) and drug problem

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17
Q

Lin Zexu

A

Started the Opium War; Destroyed opium trade -> Opium War

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18
Q

Opium War Cause

A

British anger towards closing of trade - Merchants forced their gov into war

19
Q

Opium War

A

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

20
Q

Unequal Treaties

A

Series of pacts / treaties made with Britain that undermined Chinese sovereignty

21
Q

Treaty of Nanjing

A

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

22
Q

What other impacts did unequal treaties have on China?

A

Legalized opium; Allowed Christian missions; Prevented tariffs on imports; Ended tributary states

23
Q

China at the end of the Unequal Treaties

A

Ports controlled by foreign powers; Economy controlled by foreign merchants; Christian missionaries converted citizens; Waters patrolled by foreign gunboats

24
Q

What caused rebellions in China?

A

Increasing poverty due to increase pop + slow cultivated land; Discontent of peasantry due to land owned by wealthy + gov corruption

25
Q

Why did Chinese citizens despise their government?

A

Qing elites are Manchu ruling class - seen as foreigners

26
Q

Taiping Reform Programs

A

Radical; Abolished private property; Communal wealth; Banned foot binding + concubinage; Free public education; Simplified the written language; Gender equality

27
Q

Capital of the Taipings

A

Nanjing - Great Peace

28
Q

How did the Qing government defeat the Taiping Rebellion?

A

With support from Chinese gentry + regional armies led by scholar-gentry + European advisors + advanced weapons

29
Q

Why did the Chinese gentry support the Qing?

A

Taiping is too radical for them; Support Qing cause they are dedicated to preserving the established order

30
Q

Consequences of the Taiping Rebellion

A

0-30 million deaths; Agricultural collapse + starvation (eating grass, leather, hemp, human flesh)

31
Q

Result of the Taiping Rebellion

A

Qing gov. realized changes were necessary -> Tried to adopt efficient + benevolent Confucian government to solve social + economic problems; Adopted foreign tech

32
Q

What was the goal of the Self-Strengthening Movement?

A

Solve military + economic problems by blending Chinese culture with Western technology while preserving Confucian values + reestablish agricultural society

33
Q

What were the reforms under the Self-Strengthening Movement?

A

Built shipyards + railroads + weapons industries + science academies; Reforms were limited and lacked government prioritization

34
Q

Result of the Self-Strengthening Movement

A

Didn’t bring enough change to make real difference; Didn’t limit foreign activity

35
Q

How did Empress Dowager Cixi undermine the Self-Strengthening Movement?

A

She diverted funds intended for the navy to build a marble boat and opposed significant reforms

36
Q

How did Chinese elites undermine the Self-Strengthening Movement?

A

Worried industrialization would bring social change to agricultural land + European education would undermine commitment to Confucian values

37
Q

How was China divided into spheres of influence?

A

Foreign powers like Britain, Germany, France, Russia, and Japan gained exclusive rights to develop railways and mines in different regions

38
Q

Hundred Days Reforms

A

Lead by Kang Youwei + Liang Qichao - Reinterpreting Confucian ideas to justify radical change; Supported by Guangxu

39
Q

Guangxu

A

Wanted to make China constitutional monarchy (civil liberty; dispel corruption; education reform; encourage foreign influence; modernize military; stimulate economy)

40
Q

Why did the Hundred Days Reforms fail?

A

Guangxu’s aunt (Empress Dowager Cixi) stopped the reforms; Imprisoned him + executed leading reformers

41
Q

Boxer Rebellion

A

Anti-foreign movement led by the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists; Supported by Cixi; Violent militia; Killed foreigners + Christians; Defeated by European troops

42
Q

Consequences of the Boxer Rebellion

A

Crushed by foreign troops; Led to foreign military presence in Beijing + further weakened the Qing government

43
Q

What events led to the fall of the Qing dynasty?

A

Internal rebellions; Failed reforms; Foreign domination; Death of Cixi; Emperor Puyi’s abdication

Modern World History (27 decks)

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