Western Imperialism and China

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the role of western imperialist countries in China and the different types of imperialism they tried to impose. The role of treaty ports are looked at, as are the major events in the imperialist period, such as the Opium Wars, the Treaty of Nanking, and the Silver Purchasing Act. It also pays particular attention to the role of the U.S., Russia and Japan in Chinese imperialist affairs. The modernisation process itself is looked at and also the reaction of the Chinese populace and the Ch'ing dynasty.

From the Paper:

"At the start of the imperialist period, the British motive for 'opening up' trade in China was driven by the desire and the need to be the dominant military and economic power in the world in order to secure its world hegemony, and in particular its economic hegemony. Britain wanted to 'open up' China "to ensure that India had the means of meeting her financial obligations to Britain, and to this end, markets were sought for Indian as well as for British exports" , in China and in other parts of the Far East, such as Burma and Malaysia. Other powers, however, such as Japan and Russia whilst wanting to open China up for the benefits which it potentially held for them in terms of trade, were also driven by a certain strategic element in their thinking. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Gentlemanly Capitalism and British Imperialism. The New Debate on Empire, Raymond E. Dunett, Longman, 1999.
• British Imperialism. Innovation and Expansion 1688-1914, P.J. Cain and A.G. Hopkins, Longman, 1993.
• Harvard on China: The Apologetics of Imperialism, Joseph Esherick, 'Imperialism in China', Bulletin of Concerned Asian Scholars 4, 1972.
• The Great Chinese Revolution 1800-1985, John King Fairbank, London, 1985.
• The Rise of Modern China, Immanuel Hsu, Oxford, 1995.

More papers on Western Imperialism and China:

• Cause and Effect Essay # 105517 : "Western Imperialism in China"
• Analytical Essay # 145339 : "Tibet and China"
• Essay # 52397 : "The Acceleration of Foreign Aggression against China"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: