The Boxer Rebellion in 1900 saw a secret society called the Society of Harmonious Fists attack foreign missionaries and diplomats in Beijing, shouting "Death to the foreign devils." They were defeated by an international coalition of soldiers from Western and Japanese forces. The aftermath led to increased nationalism and a realization in China that reforms were needed to survive against foreign imperialism.

1. A shocked mandarin in Manchu
robe in the back, with Queen
Victoria (UK), Wilhelm II
(Germany), Nicholas II (Russia),
Marianne (France), and a
samurai (Japan) stabbing into a
plate with Chine ("China" in
French) written on it.
Imperialism in China
Smithtown High School West
Global History and Geography 10

2. DO NOW:
“Our dynasty's majestic virtue has penetrated unto every
country under Heaven, and Kings of all nations have offered
their costly tribute by land and sea. As your Ambassador can
see for himself, we possess all things. I set no value on
objects strange or ingenious, and have no use for your
country's manufactures.”
- 1793, Qianlong to King George III
QUESTIONS:
1. According to this quote, what was the reaction of the Chinese to possible
increased trade with Britain?
2. What was the attitude of the Chinese towards foreigners in the early
1800s?

3. Questions:
1. What does Britain want from China?
2. What does Lord MaCartney refuse to do in China?
3. In your own words, summarize what Qianlong’s scroll stated.

4. I. In the early 1800s, China had little interest in
trading with Western nations.
A. Led by the Qing, or Manchu Dynasty
self-sufficient
B. China was _________________________________________________
a. healthy agricultural economy
___________________________________________________
b. extensive mining and manufacturing industries
___________________________________________________
c. produced silks, cottons, and fine porcelain
___________________________________________________
C. Ethnocentric - the belief that one's own group/culture is superior
______________________________________________

5. II. The only place China allowed foreigners to do
business was the port of Guangzhou
A. British imported millions of pounds of _______ each year from China
tea
B. Britain exported goods worth much less
opium
C. British smuggled ___________ into China for non-medical use
D. Qing Emperor sent a letter to Queen Victoria about the ________ problem.
opium
TASK: Imagine you are the emperor of China. Write a letter to Queen
Victoria of England. In your letter, explain the opium problem and also
include what you would like her to do about the issue.

6. Britain’s Response to the Letter
E. Britain _______________
did not respond
Predict: What do you think will happen next?

7. DO NOW:
A. B.
1. Identify which ship(s) belong to the British, and which belong to the Chinese.
2. Which ships do you think would be victorious in battle? Why?

8. III. Opium War (1839)
A. Battle took place mostly at sea
B. China’s outdated ships versus Britain’s steam-powered strong navy
Treaty of Nanjing in 1842
C. China loses and signs _______________
D. ________________:
Treaty of Nanjing
1. Ceded the island of Hong Kong to the British
_______________________________________________
2. Extraterritorial rights given to U.S. and other foreign
________________
citizens in 1844 (meaning foreign residents are excused from the
laws of a country)
3. Opium trade continued

9. Opium War

10. Questions:
1. What was handed over to Western control?
2. The clip states that the “emperors were powerless to stop” the opium
trade. Why?

11. IV. Internal Problems
A. Population in China was rising faster than ___________________
agricultural production
B. Chinese government was corrupt
C. Opium addiction was rising steadily
The population had grown to 430 million
by 1850 – a 30% gain in only 60 years.

12. V. Taiping Rebellion (1850-1862)
(Taiping means “great peace”)
A. Led by ____________________________
Hong Xiuquan
B. Influenced by________________________
Christian missionaries
C. He wanted an end to poverty
D. Organized an army of peasants from
southern China (1 million
strong by 1853)
Nanjing
E. 1853 - captured the city of ________ and
declared it his capital
F. The Qing regain control in 1864
Results:
over 20 million lives were lost
1. ________________________________________________
much fertile farmland was destroyed
2. ________________________________________________

13. VI. Rule of Dowager Empress Cixi
A. Rules China from 1861-1908
B. Committed to traditional Chinese values
Video Clip

14. VII. Other Nations Step In To China
A. China had weak military technology and both economic and political
problems
B. Many European powers and Japan gain _________________ in China
spheres of influence
(A region in which the foreign nation controlled trade and investment)
Open Door Policy
C. In 1899 the United States declares the__________________
(Policy proposed that China’s door be open to merchants of all nations)

16. Questions:
1. What did the secret society, known as the “Fists of Righteous Harmony” want
to do?
2. What do you believe was the main motivation of the foreign troops for putting
down the rebellion?

17. VIII. Boxer Rebellion (1900)
A. Secret society formed called the ________________________
Society of Harmonious Fists
- resented special privileges granted to foreigners and Chinese
Christians
“Death to the foreign devils”
B. Surrounded European section of Beijing shouting ____________________
C. Defeated by soldiers from Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Russia,
Results: and U.S.
Japan,
1. Boxer Protocol was signed in 1901 (China
to pay reparations)
2. Nationalism increased in China
3. Realization that reforms were needed in
order to survive