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This timeline will show how imperialism affected China from the 1800s to the early 1900s. Through wars, treaties, rebellions, reforms, and foreign pressure, China underwent major political and social changes that shaped its modern history.

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Who: The British Empire and the Qing Dynasty of China

What: Two wars fought over British opium trade and China’s sovereignty

Where: Southern China, especially Guangzhou and the coast

When: First war (1839–1842), Second war (1856–1860)

Why: Britain wanted to keep selling opium; China tried to stop the trade, leading to conflict
Source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Opium-Wars

Did you know? Opium was so profitable for Britain that it paid for 90% of tea imports from China in the 1830s!

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Opium Wars: Great Britain vs China - Animated History

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Who: Britain and the Qing Dynasty

What: Unequal treaty ending the First Opium War

Where: Signed in Nanjing, China

When: August 29, 1842

Why: Forced China to open ports, give up Hong Kong, and pay silver to Britain
Source: History.com

Did you know? The Treaty of Nanjing was the first of many "Unequal Treaties" that humiliated China!

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29th August 1842: The First Opium War ends when Britain and China sign the Treaty of Nanking

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Who: Hong Xiuquan vs. Qing Dynasty

What: Massive civil war with religious roots, trying to overthrow the Qing

Where: Southern China

When: 1850–1864

Why: Peasants supported Hong’s vision of a heavenly kingdom without the Qing
Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Taiping-Rebellion?

Did you know? The Taiping Rebellion caused over 20 million deaths—more than WWI!

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Who: Qing officials like Li Hongzhang and Zeng Guofan

What: Attempt to modernize China's military and industry using Western ideas

Where: Major cities like Beijing, Shanghai

When: 1861–1895

Why: To catch up with Western powers and recover from rebellions

source:https://www.britannica.com/event/Self-Strengthening-Movement

Did you know? They built China’s first modern navy—but it was crushed in the Sino-Japanese War!

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China's Tongzhi Restoration and Self-Strengthening Movement (1860-1895) | History of China

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Who: Chinese secret society called the "Boxers"

What: Anti-foreign, anti-Christian uprising

Where: Northern China, especially Beijing

When: 1899–1901

Why: Resentment toward foreign control, Christian missionaries, and economic hardship

Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Boxer-Rebellion

Did you know?

Boxers believed that martial arts and spiritual rituals could stop bullets!

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Who: United States, European powers, and Qing Dynasty

What: U.S. policy calling for equal trade rights in China

Where: All of China

When: Announced in 1899 by U.S. Secretary of State John Hay

Why: To prevent one country from taking over Chinese trade
Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Open-Door-policy

Did you know? The Open Door Policy was never accepted by China.

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Who: Sun Yat-sen and revolutionaries

What: Overthrew the Qing Dynasty and ended 2,000+ years of imperial rule

Where: Wuchang, then across all of China

When: Revolution started in October 1911

Why: To modernize China and create a democracy
Source: https://www.britannica.com/place/Chinese-republic

Did you know? The Republic of China’s first president, Sun Yat-sen, only served for 3 months!