Treaty of Nanking

1. Manchu dynasty (1644-1911)

- Powerful and prosperous empire

- Policy of isolation

- Restrictions on foreign trade

- 1800's: conditions changed

- Population grew to 300 million

- Regular shortage of food (because of floods and draughts)

- Peasant rebellions, social unrest

- Corruption: officials took money from the public funds => raised taxes => Rebellions

2. European imperialism

- Opium war (1840-1842)

- Treaty of Nanking:

- China agreed to: - receive foreign diplomats

- open ports to trade

- let the British determine tariffs

- the right of extraterritoriality (British laws against British people in China)

- International unrest: The Taiping rebellion (Taip-ing tien kuo = Heavenly Kingdom of Peace)

- widespread peasant uprising (inspired by some ancient Chinese traditions and ideals of Christianity)

- demanded: -redistribution of land to poor peasants

- end of high taxes

- equality for men and women

- European powers helped the Manchu dynasty => peasants were defeated, BUT: -China was weakened => needed reforms

China's concessions (had to open more ports; had to legalise opium trade)

- Sphere of influence (Br., Fr., R., Ch. investors)