Sphere of Influence in China
For many years, China was a self sufficient country that looked down on all foreigners. In 1793, the Qing Emperor let an ambassador from England come and the ambassador brought gifts to show the emperor. He brought all the most advanced technology from the West, but the emperor was not impressed. He did not want any outside influence from other countries. China did not accept any offers from England and was able to do so because of China's self sufficiency. But Europe was determined to get something that people from China would buy. Eventually, they found something: Opium.
Europeans introduced Opium to China and by 1835, 12 million Chinese people were addicted to smoking Opium. In 1839, the emperor of China was very upset with what was happening so he sent a letter to the Queen of England. Britain did not answer the letter and they kept trading the Opium. This led to the Opium War of 1839, and all of the battles of the war took place at sea. Britain's steam powered gun ships easily defeated China's old ships and in 1842, China signed a peace treaty called the Treaty of Nanjing. This treaty gave Britain Hong Kong, and in 1844, China signed another treaty giving the US and other countries extraterritorial rights. These were not the most of China's problems, though, in the late 1830's, people of China began a rebellion trying to create a more fair and equal China, this was called the Taiping Rebellion. In 1864, China fought off the Taiping government and defeated them, but they paid a big price. Many Chinese people died because of the rebellion.
Many countries became aware of all of the internal problems that China was having and also the external problems. Because of this, during the 19th century, many countries were attacking China and trying to make China weaker. China was losing battles and had to sign many treaties that were giving nations more and more control over China's economy. Many different countries were gaining lots of control over China's economy, creating a Sphere of Influence. Countries were able to control China's trade and investment. This Sphere of Influence left a huge impact on China and it took China many years to recover and become a strong nation again.
Europeans introduced Opium to China and by 1835, 12 million Chinese people were addicted to smoking Opium. In 1839, the emperor of China was very upset with what was happening so he sent a letter to the Queen of England. Britain did not answer the letter and they kept trading the Opium. This led to the Opium War of 1839, and all of the battles of the war took place at sea. Britain's steam powered gun ships easily defeated China's old ships and in 1842, China signed a peace treaty called the Treaty of Nanjing. This treaty gave Britain Hong Kong, and in 1844, China signed another treaty giving the US and other countries extraterritorial rights. These were not the most of China's problems, though, in the late 1830's, people of China began a rebellion trying to create a more fair and equal China, this was called the Taiping Rebellion. In 1864, China fought off the Taiping government and defeated them, but they paid a big price. Many Chinese people died because of the rebellion.
Many countries became aware of all of the internal problems that China was having and also the external problems. Because of this, during the 19th century, many countries were attacking China and trying to make China weaker. China was losing battles and had to sign many treaties that were giving nations more and more control over China's economy. Many different countries were gaining lots of control over China's economy, creating a Sphere of Influence. Countries were able to control China's trade and investment. This Sphere of Influence left a huge impact on China and it took China many years to recover and become a strong nation again.