Imperialism

9 Pages 2148 Words

r economy decline. The Chinese government inevitably stepped up and took control by outlawing opium and executing anyone marketing this drug. The government also demanded Britain to stop trading the drug, but the British refused and claimed they had “the right of free trade”.
The colliding of British merchants and Chinese warships in 1839 resulted as the Opium War. During the war, the British used new and improved machinery to thrash the ports of China. The Chinese were crushed very quickly because they were using outdated weapons and machinery to fight against the British. Britain then forced China into accepting the Treaty of Nanjing. This forced China to give up all their rights to the mighty Western powers. The treaty had given Britain payments for losses in the war; they also received Hong Kong. Afterwards the United States and France also made treaties like this one with China.
China opened five foreign trade ports because of British force. Britain also made them let the British citizens in China make up their own laws and live by them. As well as being tried in their own courtrooms instead of Chinese courtrooms. In this treaty was the “most favored nation clause”. This said that if China were to grant another nation different rights, Britain would automatically receive those same rights no matter what.
China had become a victim of imperialism. This had occurred because China wanted the trading of opium to stop. Nevertheless, the British insisted that it goes on and they went to war for it. Chinese political development did not go anywhere after Britain gained control over China. Britain being stronger and more powerful immediately gained all control of China, forcing them to do what Britain wanted and to abide by the rights that Britain gives them.
The Qing dynasty was in complete decline in the 1800’s. The irri...