8. Why did the Qing collapse? What factors, internal or external caused the collapse? When did the Qing start to wane in power? What state did the collapse of the Qing leave China in? Version 1: Qing dynasty fell in 1911 • (E) didn’t see the need to industrialize; saw themselves as self-sufficient (large labor base) o unlike W. world who had smaller population/worker base >> needed more efficient process to develop goods & foods o China had a large population >> didn’t need to take time & effort to make new inventions, etc. o didn’t want to be like the “barbarians” who extorted them o when they tried >> 1st sino-japanese war >> failed >> let’s not try again... • (E) foreign invasion - unequal treaties & extraterritoriality o 1st opium war - started because Lin Zexu, under order of emperor, lay seige to opium factories, took the opium, & flushed it out to sea  British govt didn’t want to pay (merchants) for the lost opium >> war with China under guise of war for free trade when Britain just started free trade  China lost >> start concessions, extraterritoriality (China can’t control laws/trade/police/etc--no power--in these areas)  treaty of Nanking (unequal treaties) • cost for war • indemnities • most favored nation clause • tariff limits • treaty ports o govt made useless: too weak/afraid/technologically inept to take on a war against foreigners • (I) Chinese nationalism - Chinese saw the weakness of China >> need to match West (use their tech against them to win their own country back) >> don’t need the Qing anymore • (I) Boxer Rebellion - Chinese peasants were upset with foreigners o foreigners gave safety to criminals & had to much power o Chinese govt supported >> foreign army o Empress Cixi turned from conservative to liberal o and many other internal rebellions (esp over religion) • (I) 1911 revolution - govt defaulted on indemnities o fall of Qing & rise of Sun Yat-Sen • (E) lure of “China Market” - lots of people to sell W. products made from industrialism o getting back the silver (China didn’t want anything...) When did the Qing start to wane in power?• began with 1st opium war (1839-1841) >> start of foreign influence & disturbance of governmental power/influence What state did the collapse of Qing leave China in? • China is very fragmented now (foreign controls) • internal chaos >> fight between nationalist & communist party • complications with Japanese Version 2: Qing: (1644-1911) -Collapse Caused by external pressure, Tai Ping Heavenly Kingdom -It fell apart in the 19th. -it grew brittle and inflexible and could not adjust as new problems arose. -Bad harvests, warfare, rebellions, overpopulation, economic disasters, and foreign imperialism contributed to the dynasty’s collapse. -The overthrow of the Qing dynasty marked the end of a system of government that China had known since the founding of the Qin (Ch’in) dynasty in 221 bc. -The fall and collapse of the Qing dynasty was caused by external and internal changes within and outside the dynasty, peasant revolts, the rise of Sun Yat-Sen and overall western influence. -Imbalance of trade between China and Britain -There was a high demand for China’s tea in Great Britain but a low demand for Britain’s goods in China. -Great Britain was in debt with China and they had to do something to get out. -As a result, they turned to selling silver to make the imbalance better. -China could care less about Great Britain’s silver so Great Britain was still behinds in payments. -When selling silver did not work they began selling opium. -China’s people became quickly addicted to the drug and traded silver, originally from Great Britain to get opium. -Opium was illegal and China wanted the trade of opium to stop. -China tried to make new restrictions against foreign merchants and ships and Great Britain did not like this idea and fought back resulting in the Opium War -Britain came out on top because they had better artillery, forcing China to sign the Treaty of Nanjing. This was only the beginning of Western Influence in China because now more ports were open to foreign merchants. All trade was put under European control causing more western ideas, foreigners, and cultures to spread into China. The last 100 years of China was nothing but problems. Rebellion, wars and civil wars, pressure from foreigners, and foreign immigrants spreading their ideas and cultures throughout China. China let the foreigners get by with too much and the foreigners took advantage of China’s weaknesses. The dynasty got weaker and weaker as timed progressed but China did not go down without a fight. Another perspective….1. Why did the Qing collapse? What factors, internal or external caused the collapse? When did the Qing start to wane in power? What state did the collapse of the Qing leave China in? • Qing struggled with the concept of international and state-to-state relations • 18th century European empires expanded o Europeans built strong economies through maritime trade o Qing tried to prevent European domination of South East Asia with the Canton System  Limited the ports European traders could do business with china  No direct trade between European merchants and Chinese civilians  1793, Lord George MacCartney (British East India Co.) went to China to try and change the trade system to help the British • Britain was purchasing more from China than China was from Europe – bad for Britain • Up until now, Britain (and other Euro nations) had only been allowed to trade in Canton o Qinglong said China had no use for European goods  Britain and France concerned for their economies  Began importing opium  Qing banned opium (1838), Britain declared war. • First Opium War (1839-42) o China’s military sucked compared to modern technology and tactics of the British o Qing surrendered in 1842  Humiliating loss for the Qing/China o Treaty of Nanjing  China had to repay for the war, British walked all over the Qing • Unrestricted European trading in China o Britain took Hong Kong • This revealed Qing’s shortcomings o Caused widespread rebellions against already unpopular regime • Most favoured nation o Great Britain was given all benefits when China signed agreements with other nations •