European contact with China

  • Government restricts trade to Canton

    The Qing Government officially restricted trade to Canton
  • George Macartney visits China

    Visit to china by a Bitish official, George Macartney, with the goal of convincing Emperor Qianlong to ease restrictions on trade between Great Britain and China, and to allow Britain to have a permanent embassy in Beijing
  • Period: to

    First Opium War

    First Anglo-Chinese (opium) War between Britain and China
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    Treaty of Nanking

    Treaty of Nanking gives Britain trading and other benefits, including gaining Hong Kong
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    Taiping Rebellion

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    Second Opium War

    Second Anglo-Chinese (opium) War in which British and French forces defeat China and force the Qing government to sign further unequal treaties
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    Era of Self Strengthening

    Era of 'Self strengthening'; major rise of foreign presence in 'Treaty Ports' including foreign 'concessions' (districts with non-chinese administration)
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    China defeated in war

    China defeated in War with France; Establishment of french Indochina
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    Sino-Japanese War

    Sino-Japanese War
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    Foreign powers try to gain concession in China

    Scramble by foreign powers to gain concessions (areas of control) in China