Empires in Collision


Opium Wars remain a central element of China´s “patriotic education” s  Some 170 years after that clash between the Chinese and British empires, the Opium War retains an emotional resonance for many Chinese. China faced an immense military and political ambitions of rival European states. Became enmeshed in networks of trade and investment s  Touched by various aspects of European culture – modernity and scientific rationalism. In 1853, 430 million Chinese, had no Industrial Revolution, no agricultural revolution and couldn’t keep up. Huge peasant population, unemployment, impoverishment, misery and starvation high. State was unable to collectively perform many functions: tax collection, flood control, social welfare. Corruption gave rise to bandit gangs, peasant rebellion opposed to Qing Dynasty, Taiping Uprising

1830s British and Americans found enormous, growing profitable market for this addictive drug: opium. Chinese authorities recognized problem, illegal trade, corruption. China found itself with many millions of addicts. Emperor decided suppression and the British were offended by the seizure of their property in opium – sent a naval expedition to China which caused First Opium War

First Opium War – Treaty of Nanjing (ended the war in 1842) on British terms, imposed numerous restrictions on Chinese sovereignty and opened 5 ports to European traders. (For China this was “unequal treaties”.) Britain’s victory in a Second Opium War (1856-1858) accompanied by a brutal vandalizing of emperor´s exquisite Summer Palace. British wanted more ports, now foreigners allowed to travel freely and buy land in China and preach Christianity. China lost control of Vietnam, Korea and Taiwan. China was being “carved up”.

Qiu Jin (1785-1907) left husband and 2 children to study in Japan, started a women ´s journal arguing that liberated women were essential for strong Chinese nation. Jin “my aim is to dress like a man, in China men are strong and women are viewed weak”. Qing Dynasty response to foreign led to the edicts in 1898 “Hundred Days of Reform”. Many organized revolutionaries. China was in the beginning of an immense struggle over country´s future.

Tanzimat reforms did not address gender issues, they did stimulate modest education for women. Teacher training college for women in 1870. Favored greater opportunities for them as means of strengthening the state, middle high class were invited to discussions state matters. Ottoman Empire became in favor of a more European style democratic, less power to the Emperor. Islamic modernism, such ideas found expression in many parts of Muslim world. Societies argued the need to embrace Western technical knowledge. Modernity without sacrificing its essential religious character.

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