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Period: 1000 to
Western countries gained power and technology
For centuries China was technologically more advanced then the West. Western countries gained in power and technology around middle 1000 - 2000. -
1200
China was overtaken by the Mongols
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1300
Marco Polo returned to Europe
Marco Polo traveled in Asia for years. When he returned to Europe he brought with him tells of China that spread widely. Explorers hunted for sea routes to gain access to her wealth. -
China was overtaken by the Manchus
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Ships from England and other European nations began arriving in China
The demand for China's goods was so high that the Chinese government began permitting foreign traders to do business along the Chinese coast. -
Period: to
The Opium increase
Imported opium crates rose from 200 a year in 1729 to 19,000 in 1831 to an astonishing 30,000 by 1838 in China. -
Period: to
The effect that increased population caused
The population of China increased from 180 million to over 430 million. Periods of severe famine affecting millions of people, were not uncommon. -
China attempted to restore its self-control.
China restricted all foreign trade to the city of Cantonalone. Self-serving European governments used their navies and powerful weapons to force China's rulers into trade agreements that jeopardized China's ability to control their own affairs. -
China tried to fight back against the Opium addiction.
China's government destroyed $11 million worth of British opium. This led to the Opium War in which the British defeated the Chinese making it clear to the world that China must do the West's bidding. -
The peace treaty of Nanking
The peace treaty of Nanking in 1842 gave Britain the island of Hong Kong as well as extensive trading rights in mainland China. Five ports opened to foreign trade. China could no longer fix its own tariffs. Seeing this other governments demanded and got similar privileges. The Opium trade was legalized and increased. -
Period: to
Food scarcity, Rampant poverty, and widespread anti-foreign sentiment
The food scarcity, rampant poverty, and widespread anti-foreign sentiment touched off many revolts. The Taipling Rebellion which continued for more than ten years. This revolt was extremely violent, it left some twenty million Chinese dead. -
The Yellow River Flooded
The Yellow River flooded disastrously destroying millions of farms, making food even more scarce. For many peasants conditions became nearly hopeless. -
The Boxer Rebellion
In 1900 a Boxer Army, now openly aided by the Empress. They kept 1000 westerners and 3000 Chinese Christians hostage in Peking for 55 days. An international army, which included US troops, entered China, rescued the hostages, and suppressed the Boxer rebels. The Empress was forced to flee her court. The Dowager Empress finally accepted the need to support her people through reform. It was too late though. -
A Full-Scale Revolution
A full-scale revolution broke out in October 1911. Many provinces broke away from China, declaring their independence. -
Sun Yat-Sen returns from exile
Sun Yat-Sen, who for years had worked for a revolution, returned from exile in January 1912 to be elected Provisional President of the Republic of China. The last emperor, 6 year old Pu Yi, abdicated the throne in February. Sun Yat-Sen then passed control of the government to a former general of the Imperial Army, Yua Shih-K'ai. The two made a secret agreement to support the creation of a Republic of China in exchange for being its Chief. -
Yuan is Dead
Yuan died in 1916; China then became increasingly chaotic. Local military warlords assumed control of their districts and battled for national power. Poverty and disunity were rampant as warlords took over entire provinces. A new leader, Chiang Kai-shek, took over the Republic but could not control it. Anarchy became widespread in China; robbers and bandits could operate freely.