Qing+Dynasty+and+Western+Imperialism



__**Introduction**__ China, under Mongol rule (Yuan Dynasty), had been the most powerful empire in the world up to its time. Even after the Mongol rulers had been removed by the Ming, China was still far more advanced and more powerful than than the West. However, by the middle of the 19th century China was in a weakened state. It was during the era of imperialism, starting with the Europeans and then ending with the Japanese, that China discovered that it was no longer the power it was once was.
 * __Objective__**
 * Comprehend how the clash of cultures was, in the final analysis, dangerous for China.
 * Comprehend China's response to the Opium Trade.
 * Learn how the shame of the Unequal Treaties has shaped how China's policies today.



//**Macartney and the Emperor**// This is the story of great cultural misunderstandings. Pride, ethnocentrism, narrow mindedness, and just plain ignorance are all part of this story. N.B. This is to be completed by the end of this class.
 * First, read the story and take notes on it.**
 * Reading for Students - Macartney and the Emperor**
 * Second, in your group, create a single Google Doc with all members names on it (BLOCK NAMES "MACARTNEY AND THE EMPEROR")**
 * Discuss and answer the questions below. Be sure the document is shared with all members and with me.**
 * Questions**
 * 1) Locate specific phrases in the two edicts that show how the Chinese perceived the British. [[file:qianlong_edicts.pdf]]
 * 2) Did the Chinese think all states were equal in international relations?
 * 3) What did the Chinese emperor think China had to offer England? What did he feel England had to offer China?
 * 4) Why do you think it is important for diplomats to understand the world view of the other party? Would it have been possible for the British in 1793 to change their request in order to get more of what they wanted? If so, how? If not, why not?
 * 5) Create a short skit for one of the following scenes of Macartney's mission to China.
 * 6) Macartney describing the purpose of his mission to an associate.
 * 7) A member of Qianlong's court explaining to Macartney what kowtow means and how it is to be done.
 * 8) Macartney explaining meeting the emperor of China.
 * 9) The emperor of China describing what he thinks of the Macartney mission to China and what he thinks of the British.
 * 10) Macartney speaking to a colleague how he feels about the mission to China, the Chinese court, and China in general.



Nearly fifty years after the Macartney mission a war was fought between Britain and China. Much of what Macartney was seeking in 1793 was achieved by the Treaty of Nanking which was the result of the First Opium War. As in the activity above, you are to read a brief summary of this event.
 * //The Opium Wars//**
 * __Reading for students - The Opium Wars__**

**Questions are to be answered individually (approx. 200-250 words in total). Post on Google Docs. BLOCK LAST NAME GIVEN NAME "OPIUM WARS"**
 * Read the Treaty of Nanking [[file:Treaty of Nanking.pdf]]**
 * Assignment (minor project: 15 marks):**
 * 1) Compare the Treaty of Nanjing with the Chinese emperor's reply to Lord Macartney (//The Qianlong Edicts// above). What sort of rights did the Chinese give to the British that they previously refused to give?
 * 2) If the word "imperialism" is defined as "the policy of seeking to dominate the affairs of weaker countries," do you think Chinese today are justified in saying that China suffered from Western "imperialism" begun by the British?