Lesson focus...
+ The Opium Wars
Learning goals...
After this lesson, students can...
+ Define 'opium', 'Opium Wars', 'Treaty of Nanjing', 'sphere of influences', and 'Open Door Policy' in your own words.
+ Describe the problems China faced during the mid-1800's that allowed European countries (as well as the United States and Japan) to gain influence in China.
+ Explain why China had no interest in increasing trade with Europe or the United States.
+ Describe the Opium Wars in detail, including the causes, events, and consequences of the Opium Wars, including the problems caused by opium in China and the Treaty of Nanjing.
+ Describe what happened to China's economy as a result of wars, the spheres of influences and the Open Door policy.
Learning tasks...
During this lesson students will complete the following tasks...
1. Read 'European Imperialism in Asia... European Imperialism in China'
2. Watch the 'Beginning of the First Opium War I Extra History' video
3. Watch the 'Opium Wars I World History I Khan Academy' video
4. Watch the 'Opium Wars in 3 Minutes' video
5. Play and master the 'Learn' section 'European Imperialism in Asia - European Imperialism in China... Quizlet'
6. Complete 'Lesson #4 - Imperialism in China Completion Quiz'
Imperialism in Asia...
Imperialism in China
China was one of the most powerful countries in the world at the beginning of the 1800's. However, corruption, peasant unrest, incompetent leadership, and food shortages brought instability in China, allowing European countries (as well as the United States and Japan) to gain influence in China.
The Opium Wars
China had ample agricultural productivity, as well as strong mining and manufacturing industries. China also produced valuable silks, cottons, and porcelain. At the time, China had no interest in increasing trade with Europe or the United States. There was only one port open to foreigners to do business and trade restrictions clearly favored China. China was not interested in most of the products European countries had to offer, until British merchants began smuggling opium (a highly addictive narcotic drug) into China.
Opium caused great problems in China, and resulted in the Opium Wars. The Chinese government sought to block opium from entering China. The Chinese dumped shipments of opium into the harbor (similar to the dumping the tea into Boston harbor during Boston Tea Party in the United States), causing war with Britain. The war was fought mostly at sea and the Chinese navy was no match for the more industrialized British navy. China was forced to sign the Treaty of Nanjing to end the war. The Treaty of Nanjing was an embarrassing peace treaty giving Britain many concessions including the island of Hong Kong.
The "Open Door Policy"
After the Opium Wars, the Taiping Rebellion and several smaller uprisings caused more problems for the Chinese government. Through war, foreign countries gained control over most of China's economy. China was divided into a sphere of influences in which foreign countries controlled trade and investments in China. Eventually, the United States declared an "Open Door Policy" in China, in which all nations could freely trade with China. Although China was protected from colonization, the country was still at the mercy of foreign countries.
European Imperialism in China
Once you have completed the reading and videos, complete the tasks below to conclude the unit...