China (1860-1900)
John Lee
Florida State University
Department of Political Science
Spring 2011
Nothing Changes…Immediately
• Xian-feng is still in power.
– Is anti-foreign and thinks
foreigners can be contained after
Dagu (1859).
– When foreigners defeat Chinese
forces post-Dagu and burn Xianfeng’s favorite summer house
(1860), he leaves and lives in
debauchory.
• Xian-feng dies in Fall 1861.
Rise of Empress Dowager Ci-Xi
• Before death Xian-fegn has son (heir) with
Yehonala (Empress Dowager Cixi).
• Upon death Xian-feng appoints 8
coregents to be in charge of son (e.g. lead
the country).
• Empress Dowager Cixi + Xian-feng’s
legitimate wife (Empress Dowager Cian)
stage coup with Prince Gong.
Rise of Empress Dowager Ci-Xi
• After coup both Empress Dowagers (Ci-Xi
[Xian-feng’s concubine] and Ci’an [Xianfeng’s wife] set to rule China.
• Ci’an really doesn’t do anything so
Empress Dowager Cixi is ruler until 1908.
– Minor hickups when Xian-feng’s (Tong-zhi)
son becomes of age in 1873, and when Tongzhi dies in 1875.
Taiping Rebellion
Taiping Rebellion
• 1850-1864
• Led by Hong Xiuquan
– Tries to pass imperial examination several
times and fails.
– Reads bible and decides he is Jesus’ younger
brother (He is Christian).
– Wants to remove imperial Manchu rule from
China.
Taiping Rebellion
• Heavenly Kingdom tries to reform
1.
2.
3.
4.
Separate individuals of different sexes.
Stop foot-binding.
Land socialization.
End Polygamy.
→ In practice, these reforms see limited
implementation.
Taiping Rebellion
• Total War – Everyone is a fair target.
Enemies target every element of
opposition’s society.
• 20 million civilians/soldiers die in rebellion.
– 100,000 die in 3 days at Third battle of
Nanking. This battle ends the rebellion.
Nien
Rebellion
Nien Rebellion
• 1853-1868
• Imperial leaders sap support away from
Nien’s by gaining support of peasantry.
• Imperials forces push Nien forces into
more and more restricted areas and
eventually the rebellion ends.
Nien
Rebellion
Rise of Han Officials
• Zeng Guo-fan and 2 other generals are
called upon to form militia to fight off
Taiping Rebellion.
– Eventually given government posts and
official financing. Officials use this financing
to win major victories.
– Empress Dowager Cixi likes Guo-fan and
after Xian-feng dies the trio is given territory to
rule.
Restoration Period
• After Taiping Rebellion is quelled,
Restoration attempts are made.
• Zeng is icon for restoration…introduces
land reform, fixes public works, and
revives educational system.
→ Ultimately these reforms promote greater
local independence at the expense of
dynastic control. (e.g. Zeng has a militia
which is loyal to him, not the dynasty).
First Sino-Japanese War
• 1894-1895
• Japan defeats China.
• Principally fought over Korean Peninsula.
Treaty of Shimonseki (1885)
• Ends first Sino-Japanese War.
• China must:
1. Allow Korean independence.
2. Cede Taiwan, Penghu Islands, and
Liaodong Peninsula to Japan.
3. Make economic concessions.
4. Pay 450 million yen.
Attempts at Reform
• Guangxu Emperor (1875-1908)
– Only in real control between 1889-1898.
– Proposes Hundred Days Reforms (1898)…
• These seek to modernize exam system, eliminate
sinecures, change government to constitutional
monarchy with democracy, embrace capitalism,
industrialization, and strengthen the military.
• Dowager Empress Cixi and supporters
stop Hundred Days Reforms.
Spheres of Influence
Spheres of Influence
• Previous treaties establish principle of
extraterritoriality of foreigners.
• European countries/others establish zones
where they are given preferential trading
agreements.
– European states do not want to colonize.
• Open Door Policy (1899) – US
proclamation that all states should be able
to trade freely with China.
Boxer Rebellion
•
•
•
•
“Righteous Fists of Harmony”
1898-1901.
Anti-Western/Christian Imperialism.
Dynastic government to some extent joins
their side.
• Eight-Nation Alliance sends 20,000 troops
+ stops uprising.
Boxer Protocol
1. China must pay $335 million gold dollars.
2. Ban arms imports for two years.
3. Foreigners get parts of China to quarter
their diplomats free from Chinese control.
4. Boxers and involved government officials
are published.
End of Qing Dynasty
• Guangxu Emperor dies in 1898, a day
before Empress Dowager Cixi dies.
Mysterious?
• Empress Dowager’s nephew Puyi is
handpicked successor.
• Coup by Yuan Shikai removes Cixi’s
handpicked heirs and ends Manchu
control of China.