https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i By World War I, China had become weak and was mostly controlled by foreign powers. This was mainly due to the Opium Wars, which allowed outside countries to imperialize and granted them the right to trade in China. Britain, as well as other foreign countries, divided China between each other and procured spheres of influence. The main reasons they refrained from colonizing China was because of the large population, and all the problems that came with it. But, this didn’t stop them from taking advantage of China’s trading posts, mines, and naval bases. These rapid changes exasperated the citizens of China and turned them against their government. The people felt as though their government wouldn't be able to defend them from European powers. As a result, the Taiping Rebellion exemplifies where the citizens took matters into their own hands and attempted to implement their own system and replace the unsystematic and weak dynasty. This forced the government to choose between its people and the western powers. Throughout this, China had begun to modernize their military, but they never caught up to the western militaries and navies further weakening them and allowing other countries to take advantage of China. By the start of World War I, it was obvious that the Qing Dynasty was deteriorating and wouldn’t be able to last much longer. en-us 2021-03-08 20:52:24 UTC 2025-03-18 01:47:04 UTC hello@padlet.com mtardif23 https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1288408901 Beijing was the capital of the Qing Dynasty and where the Qing Court was located. The North-South Split in China was between Beijing and Sun Yat-sen’s Guangdong city-state; they both claimed authority over China and forced the people to choose a side that they would support. This created political instability and resulted in wars between the citizens. When the Boxers reached Beijing during the Boxer rebellion, the court then had to decide whether they were going to side with the Boxers or the Foreign powers. The court was scared that the Boxers would attack at any moment and rebel against the Qing. In response, the court in Beijing hosted 19,000 soldiers that quickly defeated the Boxers. (HJ)

]]> 2021-03-09 16:17:53 UTC https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1288408901 mtardif23 https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1288411503 Japan’s winnings in the Sino-Japanese war resulted in their emergence as a prominent East Asian force, causing the western powers to reassess their interests in the nation. The Opium wars had already weakened China, and the Sino-Japanese war only further weakened them. The foreign powers were taking advantage of the Chinese by using this weakened state to their advantage by securing their landholdings in China through the use of endless unequal treaties. They were forced to give up mines, naval bases, and ports through these treaties. While Japan was becoming recognized as a strong and powerful force, China was becoming weakened more and more by the land being taken by these foreign powers. The government was unable to protect itself from the influence of these countries, causing the lack of trust between the citizens and the government. (KR and HJ)

]]> 2021-03-09 16:18:19 UTC https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1288411503 mtardif23 https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1288415977 This is where the Boxer Rebellion started as well as the birthplace of Confucius and Mencius. Due to foreigners taking over China, the people were infuriated. Additionally, the Germans stationed in Shandong were very disruptive. Chinese citizens did not want to convert to Christianity and were greatly against foreign countries profiting while they were impoverished. The Chinese were no match for the modern and extremely strong troops of the foreign powers. The result was not only horrible revenge taken out on Chinese citizens, but also the reinforcement of the negative perception from the Europeans. (MT)

]]> 2021-03-09 16:19:04 UTC https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1288415977 mtardif23 https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1288419232 When the foreign powers were working on taking away China’s facilitation of trade and foreign relations (the tributary system), Japan was able to force China to hand over Taiwan. This exemplifies the inability for China to resist any of the foreign demands no matter how harsh or extreme. The tributary system was a large part of the Qing Empire. It demonstrated their dominance as an advanced and strong power. However, the dismantling of the system by the Europeans confirms that China had been weakened and was helpless to the endless desires from the Europeans. (HJ)

]]> 2021-03-09 16:19:38 UTC https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1288419232 mtardif23 https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1288429326 The Taiping rebellion and it’s supporters had control over Nanjing for more than a decade. It was declared to be Hong Xiuquan’s capital, and power over the land was soon given to his family members. Nanjing was also the place of the Nanjing treaty between China and Britain, which ended the first Opium War. This was the first unequal treaty created, putting China at a great disadvantage. China was forced to give up Hong Kong and pay a large tariff to Britain, further making China less and less powerful and more vulnerable to foreign control. (MT)

]]> 2021-03-09 16:21:18 UTC https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1288429326 mtardif23 https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1288432062 Great Britain was one of China’s greatest enemies and imperializers. Britain started the Opium import into China, which eventually led to the Opium Wars. China was a strong and independent nation and the Opium Wars started the downfall of China. China was never going to have a military as strong as Great Britains, losing them these wars for peace and forcing them to give Great Britain spheres of influence and the right to trade in China. Trying to dismantle the system of tributary states, Great Britain stripped Burma from Chinese control. (MT)

]]> 2021-03-09 16:21:45 UTC https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1288432062 mtardif23 https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1288436053 Guangxi was the starting point of the Taiping rebellions. The Taiping rebellions were started on Hong Xiuquan’s beliefs of wanting a kingdom where the citizens would share China’s wealth. This meant an end to poverty, and many citizens were intrigued. They fought directly against the Qing dynasty and conquered land in southeastern China. These beliefs greatly changed the mind of the Chinese citizens and made them view their country in a different way. The Taiping rebellions eventually failed, leaving more than 20 million people dead. In treaties, France was assured that Guangxi would not be lended to any other province and leased a naval base for 99 years.(MT)

]]> 2021-03-09 16:22:24 UTC https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1288436053 mtardif23 https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1288477335 After the downfall of the Taiping Rebellion, countries became aware of China’s growing problems after resisting change by foreign influences. During the late 19th century, many nations had taken advantage of China in a weakened state and attacked. The United States was an important trading ally with China. The U.S. was worried that China would split into colonies and stop trade between them. Unfair treaty negotiations gave many countries control over China’s economy and trading ports. In 1899, the United States declared the open door policy that had opened China’s ports or referred to as “doors” to all merchants of all nations, including the U.S. The policy protected U.S. trading rights and freedom from colonization in China. All other European nations including Britain had agreed to this policy. Chinese citizens were angry at their loss of power and wanted reforms to strengthen the nation. The frustration had led to violence. Most commonly known as the Boxer Rebellion. The United States had contributed to the citizen’s anger. They had played a key role in weakening China and helped other European countries take over ports from all ends of China. (HS)

]]> 2021-03-09 16:29:08 UTC https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1288477335 hjakubowicz23 https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1292941299 The Yangtze river not only connects the north and south parts of the Qing Dynasty, but during the end of the Opium Wars, Britain moved up the Yangzi River without any pushing back from the Chinese and once reaching the part where the Yangtze River connected the Grand Canal, China had sued for peace. The encounter with the British in this example and many other foreign Powers demonstrate the large difference in militaries/navies between China and the global powers. However, the money spent trying to repair these gaps in strength, only furthered the weakening of the Dynasty by causing large debts that could not be repaid. Also on two accounts China gave Britain the Yangtze River once in 1898 for mining and building of railways as well as from 1897-1899 to promise not to hand over the territory to anywhere else. (HJ)

]]> 2021-03-10 14:05:32 UTC https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1292941299 mtardif23 https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1295537737 Russia was a significant imperializer in China during this time. Due to China sharing a border with Russia, it was easy to transport goods between the countries. However, Russia took advantage of China’s weakened state and took the southern end of the Liaodong which included a naval base, a trading center that were both allowed to be connected by railway. Additionally exclusive rights in Manchuria to create railways and mineral development. China was also in debt to Russia and resisting their actions would create more tension and worsen the already poor view of China from the foreign powers. (MT)]]> 2021-03-10 23:21:24 UTC https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1295537737 mtardif23 https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1301167812 Germany, like other foreign powers, also wanted spheres of influence in China. Previously, China was in debt to Germany, but Germany did not see the opportunity to obtain land. However, after two German missionaries were killed in China, Germany saw the perfect chance to step in and take control. Kaiser William II sent his naval squadron to China and occupied Jiaozhou Bay, giving Germany their first sphere of influence in China. As well as the ability to create railways and mines in the Shandong Province. (MT)]]> 2021-03-12 03:01:05 UTC https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1301167812 mtardif23 https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1301168410 France was a power that initiated unequal treaties with China. China had previously had conflicts with France, which only set them back even more than they already were. France took over Vietnam and secured protection to not estrange Guangxi, Guang-dong, and Yunnan from other powers. France gained the right to construct railways joining their spheres of influence, and also secured the right to lease a naval base in Guangzhouwan for ninety-nine years. If China were to ever build a postal system, France was also to be informed and was going to help with this industrialization. France greatly profited and improved with the help of China, but returned hardly anything and further put China into a disadvantage.(MT) ]]> 2021-03-12 03:01:22 UTC https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1301168410 mtardif23 https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1301172739 Russia, with France and Germany, deployed the Triple Intervention to prevent Japan from gaining the Liaodong Peninsula in Manchuria. This allowed China to agree to expand the trans-siberial railway from Manchuria to Vladivostok in Russia, helping with the industrialization of China and the formation of trans-continental railways. (MT)

]]> 2021-03-12 03:03:23 UTC https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1301172739 mtardif23 https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1301173776 Throughout the late nineteenth century, the foreign powers began to disassemble the Chinese system of tributary states. As a result of the Sino-Japanese war, the conflict between Japan and China for supremacy in Korea greatly strengthened. Korea had been one of China’s most important states, but its strategic location and plentiful resources attracted Japan’s attention. In 1895, Japan forced China to recognize Korea as independent and China ceded control over the island of Taiwan and the Liaodong Peninsula. (KR) 

]]> 2021-03-12 03:03:51 UTC https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1301173776 mtardif23 https://padlet.com/mtardif23/xqswv9419xlqvo6i/wish/1301174594 Due to its location in the world, southeast asia was a tactical area for trading by sea. This intrigued foreign powers and they eventually started taking control over much of southeast asia, specifically in places such as Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. When the Taiping Rebellion reached southeast asia, their army of more than one million created havoc in the area and took over much of the land. They declared their capital and southeast asia and went throughout southeast asia spreading their ideas, gaining supporters as they moved through the land. (MT) 

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