Foreign Influence on 19th Century China
China’s Interaction with Western Nations in the 19th century
And the effects on its economy
The 19th century had sparked a time period of bloody revolution, social and political reform, and both economic and financial problems for China. Though the cause of many of these problems could be rooted to internal conflict, foreign influence on Chinese ways proved to be disastrous. During the early 19th century the population was growing, the economy seemed stable and generally people seemed content with China’s economic progress. However these feelings of success would soon end as overpopulation would cause widespread poverty and famine. At that point in time China’s rulers had been Manchu; the Qing dynasty had been in rule but even its finest rulers had trouble maintaining social order and funding public projects. The Duogang emperor for example endured financial problems when trying to fix the Grand Canal and support the military force, known as the banners.[1] However these were the least of China’s problems compared with what was to come. Foreign powers, meaning the rise of the western world would add to a century of unrest, as European imperialism would be felt throughout the nation. China’s economic development in the 19th century was slowed by interacting with western powers as with them came disputes and problems that led to war. When dealing with western powers a negative result always occurred for China as they had inferior technology and military. This allowed the Europeans to create unfair treaties and take advantage of the Chinese; ultimately exploiting them and causing their economy and advancement as a nation to falter.
The largest and perhaps most significant set of events concerning economic conditions in China in the 1800’s were the Opium Wars. However to fully understand their economic significance the events leading up to these wars is important.
By examining previous events to this war, Great Britain’s aggressiveness and ill motives can be
And the effects on its economy
The 19th century had sparked a time period of bloody revolution, social and political reform, and both economic and financial problems for China. Though the cause of many of these problems could be rooted to internal conflict, foreign influence on Chinese ways proved to be disastrous. During the early 19th century the population was growing, the economy seemed stable and generally people seemed content with China’s economic progress. However these feelings of success would soon end as overpopulation would cause widespread poverty and famine. At that point in time China’s rulers had been Manchu; the Qing dynasty had been in rule but even its finest rulers had trouble maintaining social order and funding public projects. The Duogang emperor for example endured financial problems when trying to fix the Grand Canal and support the military force, known as the banners.[1] However these were the least of China’s problems compared with what was to come. Foreign powers, meaning the rise of the western world would add to a century of unrest, as European imperialism would be felt throughout the nation. China’s economic development in the 19th century was slowed by interacting with western powers as with them came disputes and problems that led to war. When dealing with western powers a negative result always occurred for China as they had inferior technology and military. This allowed the Europeans to create unfair treaties and take advantage of the Chinese; ultimately exploiting them and causing their economy and advancement as a nation to falter.
The largest and perhaps most significant set of events concerning economic conditions in China in the 1800’s were the Opium Wars. However to fully understand their economic significance the events leading up to these wars is important.
By examining previous events to this war, Great Britain’s aggressiveness and ill motives can be
Cited: Panikarr, K. M. Asia And Western Dominance. Great Britain: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1959. Rossabi, Morris. China and Inner Asia. London: Thames and Hudson Ltd, 1975. [2] Hosea Ballou Morse And Harley Farnsworth MacNair, Far Eastern International Relations (U.S.A: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1931), 93. [3] K. M. Panikarr, Asia And Western Dominance (Great Britain: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1959), 95. [4] Hosea Ballou Morse And Harley Farnsworth MacNair, Far Eastern International Relations (U.S.A: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1931), 94. [5] Hosea Ballou Morse And Harley Farnsworth MacNair, Far Eastern International Relations (U.S.A: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1931), 94. [6] Hosea Ballou Morse And Harley Farnsworth MacNair, Far Eastern International Relations (U.S.A: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1931), 97. [7] Hosea Ballou Morse And Harley Farnsworth MacNair, Far Eastern International Relations (U.S.A: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1931), 103. [8] K. M. Panikarr, Asia And Western Dominance (Great Britain: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1959), 99. [9] K. M. Panikarr, Asia And Western Dominance (Great Britain: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1959), 99. [10] K. M. Panikarr, Asia And Western Dominance (Great Britain: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1959), 100. [11] K. M. Panikarr, Asia And Western Dominance (Great Britain: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1959), 101. [12] Patricia B. Ebrey, Anne Walthall and James B. Palais, East Asia: A Cultural, Social, and Political History (U.S.A: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006), 379. [13] K. M. Panikarr, Asia And Western Dominance (Great Britain: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1959), 103. [14] K. M. Panikarr, Asia And Western Dominance (Great Britain: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1959), 104. [15] K. M. Panikarr, Asia And Western Dominance (Great Britain: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1959), 104. [16] K. M. Panikarr, Asia And Western Dominance (Great Britain: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1959), 104. [17] K. M. Panikarr, Asia And Western Dominance (Great Britain: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1959), 105. [18] K. M. Panikarr, Asia And Western Dominance (Great Britain: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1959), 106. [19] Morris Rossabi, China and Inner Asia (London: Thames and Hudson Ltd, 1975), 213.