Treaty of nanjing definition ap world history


The Opium Wars in China

The Opium Wars in the mid-19th century were a critical juncture in modern Chinese history. The first Opium War was fought between China and Great Britain from 1839 to 1842. In the second Opium War, from 1856 to 1860, a weakened China fought both Great Britain and France. China lost both wars. The terms of its defeat were a bitter pill to swallow: China had to cede the territory of Hong Kong to British control, open treaty ports to trade with foreigners, and grant special rights to foreigners operating within the treaty ports. In addition, the Chinese government had to stand by as the British increased their opium sales to people in China. The British did this in the name of free trade and without regard to the consequences for the Chinese government and Chinese people.

The lesson that Chinese students learn today about the Opium Wars is that China should never again let itself become weak, ‘backward,’ and vulnerable to other countries. As one British historian says, “If you talk to many Chinese about the Opium War, a phrase you will quickly hear is ‘luo hou jiu yao ai da,’ which literally means that if you are backward, you will take a beating.”1

The Qing Dynasty for AP World History

The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty in China. Read the Google Slides to learn how the Qing Dynasty was different from the Ming Dynasty and what led to the Qing Dynasty’s downfall.

The Manchus

Before the establishment of the Qing Dynasty in China, the Manchus were a distinct ethnic group inhabiting the northeastern region of East Asia, known as Manchuria. They had their own language, culture, and tribal society. The Manchus had a long history as skilled hunters, herders, and warriors, known for their equestrian and archery skills.

Over time, the Manchus adapted to their harsh environment, developing a distinctive way of life that included nomadic and semi-nomadic practices. They established a hereditary leadership system that would later be instrumental in the Qing Dynasty’s governance.

The Beginning of the Qing Dynasty

The Qing Dynasty’s rise to power and takeover from the Ming Dynasty in China was a complex process, marked by a combination of military campaigns, political maneuvers, and dynastic shifts. The Ming Dynasty, already weakened by a series of challenges, including economic problems, internal revolts, and natural dis

Opium Wars and the Treaty of Nanking

 
Page history last edited by PBworks18 years, 6 months ago

By:  Kelsey Rector

Week 26: Civilizations in Crisis IDs

 

THE WAR ON DRUGS...I MEAN..OPIUM!! .....oh and the Treaty of Nanking!!

 


 

 

       THE OPIUM WARS

 

  • Also known as the Anglo-Chinese Wars!
  • Were two wars fought in the mid-1800's that were the climax of a long conflict between China and  Britain.
  • In the second, France fought alongside Britain.
  • The conflict began with the growing trade deficit Britain had with China.
  • As a result of high demand of tea in Britain and deep (in pitch) demand of British commodity in China, Britain had to trade tea with silver. This created an unbalanced trade relation which was draining Britain's economy.
  • To fix the deficit, Britain began exporting opium to China from British India.
  • The Qing Emperor (Dao Guang) had banned opium in China, citing its harmful effects on health and deleterious impact on societal productivity, however, opium was known in China as a medicinal drug.
  • The British Empire, while also banning opium consumption within her border

    The Opening to China Part I: the First Opium War, the United States, and the Treaty of Wangxia, 1839–1844

    The Treaty of Wangxia (Wang-hsia) was the first formal treaty signed between the United States and China in 1844. It served as an American counterpart to the Anglo-Chinese Treaty of Nanjing that ended the First Opium War in 1842.

    The Signing of the Treaty of Nanjing in 1842

    The Opium War and these treaties were emblematic of an era in which Western powers tried to gain unfettered access to Chinese products and markets for European and U.S. trade.

    Western traders, including those from the United States, had long sought a variety of Chinese products (including furniture, silk and tea), but found there were few products that China wanted from the West. American trade with China began as early as 1784, relying on North American exports such as furs, sandalwood, and ginseng, but American interest in Chinese products soon outstripped the Chinese appetite for these American exports. The British had already discovered a great market in southern China for smuggled opium, and American traders soon also turned to opium to supplement their exports to China. Beyond the health probl treaty of nanjing definition ap world history

    key term - Treaty of Nanking (1842)

    Definition

    The Treaty of Nanking, signed in 1842, was an agreement that ended the First Opium War between the United Kingdom and the Qing Dynasty of China. This treaty marked a significant moment in the era of economic imperialism, as it opened up Chinese ports to British trade, ceded Hong Kong to Britain, and established extraterritorial rights for British citizens, reflecting the broader patterns of Western dominance and exploitation during this period.

    5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

    1. The Treaty of Nanking was the first of the 'Unequal Treaties' that favored Western powers over China, laying the groundwork for future agreements that further diminished China's sovereignty.
    2. As part of the treaty, China agreed to pay reparations to Britain totaling 21 million silver dollars, which severely impacted China's economy.
    3. The treaty opened five ports—Canton, Amoy, Fuzhou, Ningpo, and Shanghai—to British trade and residence, fundamentally changing China's commercial landscape.
    4. Britain's acquisition of Hong Kong marked the beginning of a long colonial presence in the region, significantly influencing Hong Kon