Early attempts at modernisation
– reforms and revolutions
Causes of modernisation
II.Modernisation and Transformation of China
A. Early attempts at modernisation – reforms and revolutions
A2 Causes of modernisation:
Examine the relationship between Western encroachment
and the modernisation of China.
Number of periods required:
6 (Each period lasts for 40 minutes)
1. Teaching and Learning Background:
a. This topic will be taught after the students have acquired some knowledge and understanding
of the meaning of modernisation. There are 35 students in the class.
b. Basically, students have clear concept of modernisation, and a comprehensive understanding
of the modernisation of China in the early 20th century.
c. Students have understood the meaning of modernisation through the video clips, and have
discussed the meaning and features of modernisation with reference to the experience of
various countries. While the effect may not be ideal, all students have the experience of
making use of historical sources to examine and analyze questions.
d. Students are getting used to discussing and reporting with fellow students of different
abilities. A culture of collaboration and mutual support has been cultivated.
e. In general, there is still room for improvement in students abilities to analyze, compare and
discuss historical sources.
f. The issue of different learning abilities still exists in the class, but more than half of the
students have already mastered basic analyzing skills. g. Collaborative learning in groups will still be adopted in teaching this topic. Students will
analyze and organize sources with regard to the assigned topic, and then discuss and report to
fellow students.
h. The teacher should note whether students are able to analyze the sources from various
perspectives. Students’ routine and test performance should be used as the basis for grouping,
and as far as possible students of higher and lower learning abilities should be put in the
same group, so as to enhance the collaboration among students and to allow all students
equal chance of participation in class.
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Early attempts at modernisation
– reforms and revolutions
Causes of modernisation
2. Teaching and Learning Objectives:
a. Students are able to find out the differences and similarities from sources, while students
of higher learning abilities can even identify causes that bring about such differences and
similarities from the sources.
b. After discussion and analyzing sources, students are able to describe the situation of the
invasion of the Asian region by Western imperialist countries, and understand the causes of
Western encroachment through citing concrete examples.
c. Students can examine, through group discussions, the impact of Western encroachment on
the modernisation in China later (students can analyze and discuss from the positive and
the negative sides). Students can even master the skill to respond to questions such as “Is
Western encroachment the sole factor leading to the modernisation of China”, and to prepare
for essay writing.
d. After 6 periods, the teacher may, through giving feedback to students’ reporting, consolidate
students’ analyzing ability, and develop their skills of concluding from sources.
3. Teaching and Learning Strategies:
a. The teacher distributes Background Cards 1-4 of Western encroachment, which summarise
the treaties signed between China and Britain, the USA, France and Russia in the 19th
century. (about 0.5 period)
b. Students analyze the causes of Western encroachment according to the Background Cards.
Students should use their own knowledge when they analyze relative factors. (Worksheet 1)
(about 0.5 period)
c. Students may further analyze, from the political, economic, and social aspects, the effects
of Western encroachment on China by using the information on the Background Cards
(Worksheet 2). (1 period)
d. A role play activity may follow. Students will be divided into 4 groups, including
conservative officials, open-minded officials, intellectuals and peasants, and discuss
their views on the effects of Western encroachment on China and their responses (i.e.
countermeasures) (Worksheet 3).
e. Students should report the outcome of their discussions. (About 2 periods)
f. The teacher leads students to discuss “Is Western encroachments the sole factor leading to
China’s modernisation”. They may understand some factors relating to a few individual
countries. Incidents such as Japan’s constitutional development and Russia’s defeat in
wars and revolutions may also be considered as factors affecting China’s modernisation. (2
periods)
• Studens form 6 groups, each with 5 to 6 persons.
• Students may discuss their views on the causes leading to the modernisation of China, and
list relevant arguments on Worksheet 4. • After discussion, each group reports to the whole class the outcome of their discussion.
Lastly, students write an essay according to the results of their discussion.
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Early attempts at modernisation
– reforms and revolutions
Causes of modernisation
g. After giving guidelines to students on writing the essay, the teacher immediately explains
to the students the incidents leading to the modernisation in China, including the Late Qing
Reform and the Nanjing Government, and makes conclusions about the topic.
h. Before going through the above items, the teacher should ask students to conclude and list
out the criteria for a successful modernisation (Worksheet 5).
4. Expected Outcomes/Difficulties:
a. Since students’ abilities are mediocre in general and they cannot fully master the skills of
analyzing sources and drawing conclusions, the teacher must take a step-by-step approach in
guiding students to get involved in classroom discussions.
b. Some students of lower learning abilities may rely on those of higher learning abilities. The
teacher should give them more encouragement and guidance, so as to foster a positive culture
of mutual support and assistance in class. c. When learning how to write essays, students will make mistakes such as misunderstanding
the gist of the question, giving superficial content, and failing to cite examples as evidences. d. Since there will be students of different abilities in each group and they can help each other,
everyone has the chance to enhance his/her thinking skills through discussion and reporting.
e. After the previous class, students should have basically mastered examination skills such as
how to analyze, conclude, discuss, and debate with regard to sources, disprove, and discuss
relative importance. The teacher must offer appropriate assistance so as to consolidate
students’ skills and abilities in these aspects.
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Early attempts at modernisation
– reforms and revolutions
Causes of modernisation
Worksheet 1
Modernisation and transformation of China —
Causes of Modernisation
Can you analyze and conclude about the causes of Western encroachment in the 19th century from
the Background Information Cards 1 to 4?
(you may put a “” in the appropriate boxes of the form below.)
Causes for
Eastward
Expansion
Political
Anglo-Chinese
Treaty of
Nanjing

(Apart from
economic
interests, they
looked for more
territories as
the base for
further economic
development. Great powers such
as Britain, even
wanted to set up
more overseas
colonies to show
her strong imperial
power. Besides,
Britain also hoped
to establish equal
diplomatic status.)
Sino-Russian
Treaty of Ili

(During the
turbulent days of
the Qing Court,
Russia invaded
China. Ili was an
important strategic
point in Xinjiang,
occupying it
would enable
Russia to control
Xinjiang. In fact,
after the AngloFrench Invasion,
Russia had forced
China to sign the
Aihui Treaty to
show her power
while the SinoRussian “Treaty
of Tianjin”
and “Treaty of
Beijing” further
enabled Russian to
invade China. )
Sino-French
Treaty of
Tianjin

(France intended
to control the
whole IndoChina. After the FrancoPrussian War,
France further
strengthened her
encroachment
in Annam in
order to increase
her influence
in Vietnam and
expand the extent
of her empire.)
US Open Door
Policy

(The U.S. hoped
to maintain the
territorial integrity
of China in order
to safeguard her
interests in China. Besides, the
U.S. had already
annexed Hawaii,
Guam and the
Philippines in the
Pacific, therefore
she aimed to
expand in the
Far East. More
importantly, the
Open Door Policy
could reduce
the clashes and
conflicts and
would avoid
wars.)
ModernisationandTransformationofChina ∣ Page105
Early attempts at modernisation
– reforms and revolutions
Causes for
Eastward
Expansion
Economic
Anglo-Chinese
Treaty of
Nanjing

(After the
Industrial
Revolution, there
was industrial
and commercial
development in
various countries. They became committed in
opening up the
Asian markets. Besides, Britian
could solve the
deficit problem
by importing
opium into China. Britain even
hoped to acquire
equal commercial
opportunities by
moving to the
East.)
Causes of modernisation
Sino-Russian
Treaty of Ili

(The occupation
of Ili would enable
Russia to have
further economic
development there
and open up a
great economic
market.)
Page106 ∣ ModernisationandTransformationofChina
Sino-French
Treaty of
Tianjin

(Being defeated
in the FrancoPrussian War,
France had strong
desire to look
for overseas
expansion for
compensation,
especially in
economic aspect.)
US Open Door
Policy

(The U.S. did not
have territorial
base in China. Even if she wanted
to get a share
in the Scramble
for Concessions,
her efforts were
in vain. Thus, in
order to safeguard
her commercial
interests, it was
necessary to
sustain China as
a free market. Britain attached
great importance
to in China, but
the coastal areas
had been divided
into Sphere of
Influence by the
Great Powers.
The British
commerical
advantages were
threatened. )
Early attempts at modernisation
– reforms and revolutions
Causes for
Eastward
Expansion
Social
Other
aspects
Anglo-Chinese
Treaty of
Nanjing
Causes of modernisation
Sino-Russian
Treaty of Ili
Sino-French
Treaty of
Tianjin
US Open Door
Policy

(To abolish the
restrictions set by
the Qing court on
British merchants’
commerical
activities and
activities in other
areas .)
Free discussion and expression of opinions.
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Early attempts at modernisation
– reforms and revolutions
Causes of modernisation
Worksheet 2
Modernisation and transformation of China —
Causes of Modernisation
Conclude from Background Information Cards 1 to 4, about the political, social, and economic
impacts of the following treaties on China.
Areas of
Influence
Political
Anglo-Chinese
Treaty of
Nanjing
China lost her
status of the
Celestial Empire
because “the
correspondence
between the two
countries” must be
conducted on “an
equal basis”.
China’s territorial
sovereignty
was infringed. The cession
of Hong Kong
made it become
a Sino-British
commercial base.
Sino-Russian
Treaty of Ili
The Qing court
ceded 70% of the
land south of Ili
to Russia, making
China further
lost her territorial
sovereignty there,
thus affecting
her international
image.
Page108 ∣ ModernisationandTransformationofChina
Sino-French
Treaty of
Tianjin
US Open Door
Policy
China lost Annam,
thus cutting off her
200-year tributary
relationship with
Annam. After the
construction of the
railway between
Yunnan and
Vietnam, French
power penetrated
into the southern
border of China
through Annam.
China was unable
to protect her
tributary state,
thus encouraged
the Great Powers,
such as Britain, further penetrated
into Chinese
territories.
Able to maintain
the Chinese
soveignty within
the Spheres of
Influcence, Britain
and France gave
their consent to the
American proposal
respectively, so
did other powers.
China was able to
survive and escape
from partition
under this policy
of equilibrium
among the Great
Powers.
This policy
subsequently
became the basic
U.S. policy
towards China.
Early attempts at modernisation
– reforms and revolutions
Areas of
Influence
Economic
Anglo-Chinese
Treaty of
Nanjing
China was forced
to open five ports
for Sino-British
commerical
purposes.
China also lost
tariff autonomy. No more tax
should be imposed
on imported
British goods.
Huge indemnity
affected China’s
development in
other aspects, thus
further worsened
Qing Court’s
economy and
also made Qing
Court’s economic
condition even
more difficult.
Because Qing
Court could not
raise the tariff
on her own,
Chinese goods
became unable to
compete with the
foreign(industrial)
goods. Causes of modernisation
Sino-Russian
Treaty of Ili
Indemnity
amounted to
5000,000 rubles
further hit Qing’s
economy , thus
obstructed the
Self-Strengthening
Movement and
affected its
effectiveness.
Sino-French
Treaty of
Tianjin
Although China
was not required to
pay indemnity, the
war cost her one
hundred million
taels and a debt
of 2,000 million
taels, the Great
Powers intensified
their economic
expansion in
China.
US Open Door
Policy
The Great Powers
changed their
policy towards
China from
individual to
collaborative
action. They
got equal
opportunities to develop industry
and commerce in
China.
The policy
effectively hit the
economic interest
of the Great
Powers in China,
thus increased the
competitive power
of China’s industry
and commerce.
China had the
opportunity
to have tariff
autonomy and
her economic
condition could be
improved.
ModernisationandTransformationofChina ∣ Page109
Early attempts at modernisation
– reforms and revolutions
Areas of
Influence
Social
Other
aspects
Anglo-Chinese
Treaty of
Nanjing
The British could
enter and leave various trading
ports freely. Their
number going to
China increased,
thus conflicts
with the local
people increased. Finally cultural
differences led
to large-scale
anti-foreign
movement.
Causes of modernisation
Sino-Russian
Treaty of Ili
Since the Russians
possessed right
of navigation in inland river
(Songhua River),
they were able
to know clearly
China’s military
strength and the
real situation of
other aspects .
The establishment
of consulate
increased the
contact between
Russian people
and Chinese
people, thus
created diplomatic
conflicts.
Sino-French
Treaty of
Tianjin
Prince Kung lost
power, the Qing
Yi School rose
to power and the
Self-Strengthening
Movement entered
the third phase – emphazised the
establishment of
enterprises which
would enrich the
country.
Free discussion and expression of ideas.
Page110 ∣ ModernisationandTransformationofChina
US Open Door
Policy
People acquired
relatively more
equal treatment
inside sphere of
influence.
Early attempts at modernisation
– reforms and revolutions
Causes of modernisation
Worksheet 3 (Role Play)
Modernisation and transformation of China —
Causes of Modernisation
From the Background Information Cards, students largely understand the causes of Western
encroachment and the influences of various treaties on China. If you were a Chinese at that time,
what would you think? In addition, what responses would you make? Try to write your opinions and
responses in the appropriate spaces of the table below through group discussion. In the following
activities, students may give free answers and teacher may arrange discussion based on students’
viewpoints and responses.
Items of Comparison
Opinions on these
Treaties
Responses to make
Conservative Officials
Open-minded Officials
Intellectuals
Peasants
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Early attempts at modernisation
– reforms and revolutions
Causes of modernisation
Worksheet 4 (Essay-type Question)
Modernisation and transformation of China —
Causes of Modernisation
(Page 1)
Question for Discussion:
“Is Western encroachment the sole factor leading to China’s modernisation?”
During the discussion, please list the arguments of both sides in the table below, and write an essay
with relevant arguments. (Free answers)
Arguments supporting this saying
Arguments opposing this saying
1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3. 4. 4. 5. 5. Page112 ∣ ModernisationandTransformationofChina
Early attempts at modernisation
– reforms and revolutions
Causes of modernisation
Worksheet 4 (Essay-type Question)
Modernisation and transformation of China —
Causes of Modernisation
(Page 2)
Students may write the essay with reference to the outline below. (Free answers)
Introduction:
Definition of
modernisation,
and outline of
significance
of Western
encroachment
Main Body:
Arguments
supporting this
saying
Arguments
opposing this saying
Elaborate your
standpoint
Eastward expansion was/was not the only factor leading to China’s
modernization, it was because ...
Conclusion
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Early attempts at modernisation
– reforms and revolutions
Causes of modernisation
Worksheet 5
Modernisation and transformation of China —
Causes of Modernisation (Conditions for Modernisation)
The late Qing government made a number of modernisation attempts in the early years of the 20th
century in order to save the declining national strength. The Nanjing Government also implemented
a series of modernisation measures after 1928. What do you think are the conditions for a country to
become a modernised country? Please write your views in the appropriate spaces below.
Political
The feature of modern politics is the
process of mass participation in politics,
regardless of revolution, Fascist,
Communist regime or democratic
constitutional rule.
Military
The great progress in science and technology
helped people control the nature and social
life.
Page114 ∣ ModernisationandTransformationofChina
Economic and Social
W i t h m e c h a n i z a t i o n , m a s s
production of handicrafts and
agricultural products were made
possible, and through markets,
exchanges and distribution took
p l a c e . I n c r e a s e o f l e a r n i n g
opportunities; weakening of impact
of religious faith and traditional
customs; changes in human
relationships and increase in social
mobility.
Other aspects
Trend of concentration of population
has become a feature of modern society,
affecting politics, economy, culture as
well as living and housing style etc. It meant the weakening of religious
power and the growth of rational
culture.
Early attempts at modernisation
– reforms and revolutions
Causes of modernisation
Background Information Card 1
Modernisation and transformation of China —
Causes of Modernisation
Below are the main points of the Treaty of Nanjing signed between China and Britain in the 1840s.
1. China opens Guangzhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Ningbo and
Shanghai as trading ports, and allows the British to trade in,
reside in, and send embassy to the ports.
2. China cedes Hong Kong Island to Britain perpetually.
3. China pays Britain 21 million taels as reparations for
British military expenses, debts owing British merchants,
and opium confiscated.
4. Import and export taxes for British goods are to be agreed
upon between the Chinese and the British governments
and will be paid by British merchants. Once the import tax
is paid, no more tax will be levied on British goods when
transported to the inland.
5. Exchanges of official documents thereafter will be on equal
terms.
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– reforms and revolutions
Causes of modernisation
Background Information Card 2
Modernisation and transformation of China —
Causes of Modernisation
Below are the main points of the Sino-French Treaty of Tianjin signed between China and France in
the 1880s.
1. China recognizes all treaties signed between France and
Annam. From then onwards, Annam became a French
colony. In other words, Vietnam became a protectorate of
France.
2. French troops withdraw from Taiwan and the Pescadores.
China does not have to pay indemnities. France also
promises not to infringe China’s borders. China loses
another vassal country.
3. China also allows France to enjoy the most-favoured nation
treatment in Southwestern China.
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Early attempts at modernisation
– reforms and revolutions
Causes of modernisation
Background Information Card 3
Modernisation and transformation of China —
Causes of Modernisation
Below are the main points of the Open Door Policy proclaimed by the USA in the 1890s.
1. All countries, with their sphere of influence or concessions
and other interests in China, allow other countries to
conduct commerce and investment matters in their sphere
of influence, without intervening each other.
2. All countries enjoy equal commercial opportunities in
China, and respect China’s sovereignty independence and
territorial integrity.
3. A country, with its ports and railways within its sphere
of influence, must not charge ships and goods of other
countries higher port-entry fees and freights than it charges
its own ships and goods. 4. Custom tariffs at ports in the sphere of influence of various
countries will be collected by the Chinese government
in accordance with the current tariff rate, regardless of
the country origin of the goods, and Chinese officials are
permitted to collect the tariffs.
5. All countries should charge merchants of their own country
and of other countries the same port-entry fees and rail
freights for goods in their sphere of influence.
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Early attempts at modernisation
– reforms and revolutions
Causes of modernisation
Background Information Card 4
Modernisation and transformation of China —
Causes of Modernisation
Below are the main points of the Sino-Russian Treaty of Ili signed between China and Russia in the
1870s.
1. Russia keeps 70% of China’s land south of Ili, which will
be ceded to Russia, and only the remaining land will be
returned to China;
2. China has to pay Russia 5 million Rubles;
3. Russia has the right to set up consulates in seven places;
4. Russian ships can navigate along the Songhua River.
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