Qing Dynasty

Rebellion, unrest and external pressure

One common view of the 19th century was that it was an era in which Qing control weakened, and prosperity diminished. China suffered massive social strife, economic stagnation, and explosive population growth. Moreover, starting with the reign of the Daoguang Emperor (r. 1820–1850), China was increasingly connected to Russia, the West, and later Japan. International and global influence was more freely allowed into the country. Britain's desire to continue its opium trade with China collided with imperial edicts prohibiting the addictive drug, and the First Opium War erupted in 1840. China lost the war; subsequently, Britain and other Western powers, including the United States, occupied "concessions" and gained special commercial privileges. Hong Kong was ceded to Britain in 1842 under the Treaty of Nanking.

Related Topics:
19th century - Daoguang Emperor - 1820 - 1850 - First Opium War - 1840 - Hong Kong - Treaty of Nanking

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Sovereign areas already hospitable to informal empire largely avoided formal rule during the shift to New Imperialism. China, for instance, was not a backward country unable to secure the prerequisite stability and security for western-style commerce, but a relatively stable empire unwilling to admit global commerce. The strong nature of China's market helps explain international contentment with informal 'Spheres of Influences'. China notably possessed a securable market without formal control. While China had an inferior negotiation position relative to other large powers, it was a major destination for investment capital. International powers did intervene military there to quell domestic chaos, such as the Taiping Rebellion and the anti-global Boxer Rebellion. For example, General "Chinese" Gordon, later killed by the isolationist Mahdi Army in the Sudan, is often credited as having saved the Manchu dynasty from the Taiping insurrection. Others maintain China was able to save itself, at the cost of millions of civilian casualties.

Related Topics:
New Imperialism - Taiping Rebellion - Boxer Rebellion - Mahdi Army - Sudan

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In addition, the Taiping Rebellion (太平起義) (1851-1864), the Nian Rebellion (捻軍起義) (1853-1868) and the Muslim Panthay Rebellion, along with Russian-supported Muslim separatist movements in Gansu province and Xinjiang (also called Chinese Turkestan or East Turkestan), drained Chinese resources and almost toppled the dynasty. Han officials such as Zeng Guofan was sent out to crush the Taiping rebellion, which had gathered a lot of strength over the years. After several failed military campaigns, Zeng Guofan's brother Zeng Guoquan was aband was credited partly to Li Hongzhang's Huai Army. The end to two large revolts, however, did little to ensure stability within the Empire. There was increasing pressure from external powers.

Related Topics:
Taiping Rebellion - 1851 - 1864 - Nian Rebellion - 1853 - 1868 - Panthay Rebellion - Gansu - Xinjiang - Chinese Turkestan - East Turkestan - Zeng Guofan - Zeng Guoquan - Li Hongzhang - Huai Army

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