Before it was necessary to bargain with Britain the Chinese emperor was rude to the English Monarch, as shown in document A. This spurred a negative relationship between the two countries, and could have changed Britain's attitude towards China during the Opium Wars. This can be seen in the caricature in Document C, where the British portray the Emperor as a fat pig and then English as humble gentlemen. Even as the Opium approached the Chinese still felt as though they were superior to the British, as seen by document D. Opium was a large factor in the economic downfall of China. In document E the graph shows that within 100 years the opium sales rapidly increased, and it is known that during these years China was becoming increasingly unstable. Document G shows an Opium den, showing how Opium permeated Chinese culture and became an accepted part of daily life. It was also true that China could not compete with the war technology developed by Britain. Document I shows the Nemesis, Britain's first steam powered warship. This demonstrates China's lack of military developments, showing that they could never have defeated Britain in the Opium Wars. China was thoroughly defeated, and had to give in to the demands of England. Document J displays the immense power that Britain had over China, because they were able to create a treaty that allowed them trading rights in many ports, the island of Hongkong, and Millions of dollars.
When the Chinese first allowed Britain to trade with them, China had a sense that trade was not beneficial for them, but rather for the Barbarians of England (Document A). They had a sense of being above England and were reluctant to fully utilize the benefits of trade with England, which would have allowed them to further in their technological advancement. Instead China, with its inferior technology, constantly talked down to the British and their system of rule (Document E) further provoking the British to retaliate. The Chinese arrogance that kept them from using Britain as a medium to acquire better technology also provoked the British into retaliating. Ultimately the Chinese unwillingness to accept the British led to disastrous war [Document I] and the fall of the pretentious Chinese imperial structure.
Danielle said... China fell victim to European imperialism from the years 1800 to 1860, because the England specifically manipulated China in order to get more access to trade. The constant stream of opium into the country literally caused the people to poison themselves, becoming less able to resist not England's efforts to get more control. As can be seen in the documents, the Chinese regarded the greedy English as "dogs" or "barbarians". The Chinese were already being charitable to the English, therefore, to bow down any further would show a weakness. This slightly aloof attitude also prevented the English and Chinese to cooperate as two cultures. Also, the famines, droughts, and overpopulation in China weakened the bureaucracy.
Before it was necessary to bargain with Britain the Chinese emperor was rude to the English Monarch, as shown in document A. This spurred a negative relationship between the two countries, and could have changed Britain's attitude towards China during the Opium Wars. This can be seen in the caricature in Document C, where the British portray the Emperor as a fat pig and then English as humble gentlemen. Even as the Opium approached the Chinese still felt as though they were superior to the British, as seen by document D. Opium was a large factor in the economic downfall of China. In document E the graph shows that within 100 years the opium sales rapidly increased, and it is known that during these years China was becoming increasingly unstable. Document G shows an Opium den, showing how Opium permeated Chinese culture and became an accepted part of daily life. It was also true that China could not compete with the war technology developed by Britain. Document I shows the Nemesis, Britain's first steam powered warship. This demonstrates China's lack of military developments, showing that they could never have defeated Britain in the Opium Wars. China was thoroughly defeated, and had to give in to the demands of England. Document J displays the immense power that Britain had over China, because they were able to create a treaty that allowed them trading rights in many ports, the island of Hongkong, and Millions of dollars.
ReplyDeleteWhen the Chinese first allowed Britain to trade with them, China had a sense that trade was not beneficial for them, but rather for the Barbarians of England (Document A). They had a sense of being above England and were reluctant to fully utilize the benefits of trade with England, which would have allowed them to further in their technological advancement. Instead China, with its inferior technology, constantly talked down to the British and their system of rule (Document E) further provoking the British to retaliate. The Chinese arrogance that kept them from using Britain as a medium to acquire better technology also provoked the British into retaliating. Ultimately the Chinese unwillingness to accept the British led to disastrous war [Document I] and the fall of the pretentious Chinese imperial structure.
ReplyDeleteDanielle said...
ReplyDeleteChina fell victim to European imperialism from the years 1800 to 1860, because the England specifically manipulated China in order to get more access to trade. The constant stream of opium into the country literally caused the people to poison themselves, becoming less able to resist not England's efforts to get more control. As can be seen in the documents, the Chinese regarded the greedy English as "dogs" or "barbarians". The Chinese were already being charitable to the English, therefore, to bow down any further would show a weakness. This slightly aloof attitude also prevented the English and Chinese to cooperate as two cultures. Also, the famines, droughts, and overpopulation in China weakened the bureaucracy.