China In the 18th Century: A Golden Age

Session 1

Questions

Any courses on modern Chinese history?

What have you known about modern Chinese history?

What are your expectations?

Review the course

Table of ContentsI. Dynastic Cycle in Chinese History

II. Establishment of the Qing Dynasty

III. Accomplishments of the Qing

IV. Mentality of the Qing

V. Emperor Qianlong vs. Lord Macartney

VI. Social Problems and Potential Crises

VII. Conclusion

I. Dynastic Cycle in Chinese HistoryTimeline

The Dynastic Cycle-historical pattern

Peasant rebellionMing Dynasty (1368-1644)

Zhu YuanzhangLi Zicheng

II. Establishment of the Qing • The Manchus conquered China in 1644 (2%)

• Han people & minorities (today: 56 ethnic groups, Han is 92%)

• Correct policies to win Chinese support• Funeral of Ming Emperor Chongzhen• The Civil Service Examination System

• Origin back to Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE), end in 1905

• Four Confucian books and five Chinese classics• 《论语》《孟子》《大学》和《中庸》；而五经指的是《诗经》《尚书》《礼记》

《周易》《春秋》

• Dual government system based on Ming’s tradition• Civil Affairs• Finance• Rituals• War• Justice• Public Service

III. Accomplishments of the Qin

Political consolidation and territorial expansion

Economic development

Cultural prosperity

Population exposion

III-1. Qing’s Territorial ExpansionFrom outer Mongolia in the north to Guangdong in the south, from coast

in the east to Central Asia in the west.

III-2. The Qing and Its Neighbors-The Tributary System

Dozens of nations in East, Southeast and Central Asia acknowledged China’s suzerainty over them:

Korea, Annam (N. Vietnam), Laos, Burma, Siam (Thailand), Bhudan, Nepal, Sulu (in Southern Philippines) the Gurkhas, Khohkans, bukhara, Burut, Badaksha,, Afghanistan and the Kazaks.

III-3. China’s Share of World GDP

III-4. Cultural AchievementsThe great compilation of Tang Dynasty poetry in 1705

Kangxi Dictionary in 1716 with 47,000 characters

The Complete Library of Four Treasures in 1782: They were bound in 36,381 volumes ( 册) with more than 79,000

chapters ( 卷), comprising about 2.3

million pages, and approximately 800 million Chinese characters.

III-5. Population Increasefrom less than 200 million in late Ming to 400 million in

1850s

IV. Mentality of the Qin

Civilization vs. “barbarian”

The tributary states

Emperor Qiang Long met Lord Macartney in 1793

V. Emperor Qianlong met Lord George Macartney in 1793

King George III’s letter to the Chinese emperor in 1792

We reply on your Imperial Majesty’s wisdom and justice and general benevolence to making so conspicuous in your long and happy reign, that you will please to allow our Ambassador and Representative at your court to have the opportunity of contemplating the examples of your virtues and to obtain such information of your celebrated institutions; as will enable him to enlighten our people on his return; …… you will be pleased to allow to any of our subjects frequenting the coasts of your domination, and conducting themselves with propriety, a secure residence there, and a fair access to your markets,……

Discussion

What would happen if Emperor Qianlong accepted Lord Macartney’s proposal to have open trade with Great Britain and open China to the world?

Macartney’s Mission:Asked for free trade and open cities as trading ports

Qianlong’s reply:

“We possess all things. I set no value on objects strange or ingenious, and have no use for your country’s manufactures.”

“It behooves you, O King, to respect my sentiments and to display even greater devotion and loyalty in future, so that, by perpetual submission to our Throne, you may secure peace and prosperity for your country thereafter.”

VI. Social Problems and Potential Crisis

• China’s trade surplus became deficit because of opium trade: opium cost China 800 million taels of silver ($1.5 billion) per year

• The army lost morality and strength to fight• Population pressure• Racial conflicts between the Manchus & Han

people• Local rebellions • Challenges from the West

Corruption-He Shen-His total property was ultimately estimated at around 1,100 million taels of silver, estimated to be an amount equivalent to the imperial revenue of the Qing government for 15 years.

China in the Eyes of Lord Macartney

The Empire of China is an old, crazy, first-rate Man of War, which a fortunate succession of and vigilant officers have contrived to keep afloat for these hundred and fifty years past, and to overawe their neighbours merely by her bulk and appearance. But whenever an insufficient man happens to have the command on deck, adieu to the discipline and safety of the ship. She may, perhaps, not sink outright; she may drift some time as a wreck, and will then be dashed to pieces on the shore;

VII. Conclusion1. China was the largest economy & one of the most

powerful countries in the world in early 19th century.

2. China’s tributary system and Sino-centric mentality made the rulers of the Qing refuse to treat other nations equally, and neglect the challenges from Great Britain.

3. China’s missed an opportunity to emerge herself into the world in 1793.

4. China isolation and the challenge from the West led to a historically unprecedented crisis and a century of humiliation soon.

Questions?

Thank you!

QuestionsHow did the Manchus manage to integrate into Chinese culture and win the support of the Chinese people?

What was the mentality of the Chinese rulers before the early 19th century and why?

How did China and Great Britain compare economically, politically and culturally?

Why did Great Britain want free trade with China and why did China decline this request?

What was Macartney’s perception of China as observed during his China trip?

Any other questions