Economic Imperialism
China was NOT conquered by Western powers. Instead European nations practiced Economic Imperialism in China. The Unequal Treaties left the Qing government and its administrators in control of China. In other words, Chinese officials continued to rule China. The treaties however, did carve China into economic zones called Spheres of Influence. Spheres of influence are economic zones. While Chinese officials continued to govern these regions, European officials controlled the economy. Within their respective zones, Europeans eliminated all tariffs on European manufactured goods, extracted cash crops and natural resources, and restructured the local economy to benefit European interests.
This, understandably, created a great deal of resentment amongst the Chinese. Many Chinese subjects began to question the Qing's mandate to rule. The Qing family could not allow this hatred to continue. In 1898, the emperor Guangxu introduced a batch of reforms meant to build China's power to defend itself against the West. The most important of these reforms is the Self Strengthening Movement.
This, understandably, created a great deal of resentment amongst the Chinese. Many Chinese subjects began to question the Qing's mandate to rule. The Qing family could not allow this hatred to continue. In 1898, the emperor Guangxu introduced a batch of reforms meant to build China's power to defend itself against the West. The most important of these reforms is the Self Strengthening Movement.
Open Door Policy
The Open Door Policy is a term in foreign affairs initially used to refer to the United States policy established in the late 19th century and the early 20th century that would allow for a system of trade in China open to all countries equally. Under the policy none would have exclusive trading rights in a specific area.
Open Door policy was rooted in the desire of U.S. businesses to trade with Chinese markets. It had no legal standing or enforcement mechanism, but it was not violated and China was not partitioned the way Africa had been in the 1880s and 1890s. However, it humiliated the Chinese because their government was not consulted, creating lingering resentment.
Open Door policy was rooted in the desire of U.S. businesses to trade with Chinese markets. It had no legal standing or enforcement mechanism, but it was not violated and China was not partitioned the way Africa had been in the 1880s and 1890s. However, it humiliated the Chinese because their government was not consulted, creating lingering resentment.
The Unequal Treaties were a series of treaties signed between China and European powers at the end of the Opium Wars. While these treaties DO NOT result in an outright territorial conquest of China, they forced China to concede many of its territorial and sovereignty rights.
In the Treaty of Nanjing Between China and the British, China was required to pay for British losses, give Hong Kong Island to the British, and increase the number of ports where the British could trade and reside from one (Canton) to five. To add insult to injury, British citizens in China were granted extraterritorial rights. This meant that British citizens were under the control of their own consuls and were not subject to Chinese law. Similar treaties were signed with the French, German, Russian, and even Japanese governments. Collectively these treaties weakened China by carving it into economic zones known as Spheres of Influence. |