Essay on Foreign Relations of the Qing Dynasty

Introduction

During the pre-modern times of china, foreign relation was at the heart of the Emperor. The theory of such relations was top of the celestial Dynasty agenda. This position was at the top of world civilization. Therefore, in this case the Emperor was the head of civilization. The state equated to the highest authority under heaven[1]. China saw all other parts of civilization as tributaries of their rule. For this reason, China had developed its foreign relation structures. Its structures include regions around the Dynasty that bearing the symbol of submission zones.

The Emperor had Executives that travelled over region as far a Europe promoting China’s agenda. The Dynasty with its growing force needed to export and import goods from other regions. However, at some instances its foreign policy with the rest of the world faced varied challenges[2]. China isolated itself with the rest of the world during Qing Dynasty. Qing Dynasty saw other regions of the world as not resourceful to them.

China’s influence with the rest of the world relates to their trading. This influence was prominent as far as history. By the second, AD China had a formidable influence on world trade networks. Since this period, China’s trade route was the “Silk Road”. China traded using contact representatives in the Roman Empire[3]. Famous traders had been with contacts with the dynasty; Marco Polo being one of them. However, during their trading with the rest of the world, the Chinese Dynasty faces various challenges. One of the challenges of most dynasties was frequent attacks from bandits. With such a challenge, the Emperor aim was discouraging such attacks by use of military action. The other method was to encourage peace marriages with attacking communities.

The Qing Dynasty

China’s civilization has had an influence on its foreign relations. The country has been enjoying self-sufficiency status as well as unsurpassed greatness. For a long time the perception ofpeoples of China on the outside world is negative. The perception of foreigners by the Qing dynasty was that of disgust. Other individuals according to the rule were un-civilized. The Chinese people viewed the Emperor as the ruler of humanity. This means that all other personalities were his tributaries[4]. In respect to this, the first Europeans to visit the region had to undergo various rituals.

The Dynasty maintained this presence until a period where it had to bow to western pressure. As a nation, China is seen to seek always for independence. Their way of life is to isolate with the rest of the world. From the period of the Qing dynasty China seems to avoid the rest of the world. Their goal to self-efficiency shows the goal of the nation since the Qing dynasty[5]. The Qing Dynasty was probably the famous history of the people of China. The Dynasty had the most loved and famous Emperors of the time[6]. The dynasty began with a period of prosperity, but during its reign, it faced a series of natural disasters. It ended on a sad note with invasions as well as rebellion.

Emperors Influence on Foreign Relations

Throughout the rule of the Dynasty various Emperor graced the seat. With their influences, the western world as well as China trade partners faced diverse relations. The Dynasty became a focal point for future relations between China and the rest of the world. The history of the Dynasty spans over 270 years[7].There was rivalry within the rule and fights for supremacy. Faced with natural disasters the dynasty became anxious. People within the rule revolted with the Mongols being encouraged to attack.

The Empire of the great Qing reined from the year 1644 to 1912. The Han Chinese did not form the dynasty, as one would attest. The Han Chinese represents a majority of the Chinese people. However, sedentary farming communities formed the Qing Dynasty[8]. The Tungusic and jurchen communities fought for power and formed the dynasty. The inception of the Dynasty began with the fall of the Ming Emperor. The descendants Jin who ruled during the end of the 13^th century became a threat to the Ming Dynasty[9]. Under the leadership of Nurhaci, the community expanded their territories eying for the Ming Dynasty,with a military force that was outnumbered four times.

The Jin descendants overthrew the rule of the Ming dynasty. Through various military campaigns with the help of many Generals, the Ming Dynasty was overthrown. Tong Zhi became the first emperor for the Qing dynasty. During his reign, various changes took place. China now was peaceful and the dynasty used it to their advantage. Under the leadership of the emperor, taxes were lowered. His interest on the economy of the country increased China’s disposable incomes[10]. He was enthusiastic about Art and culture and this led to flourishing of the Art of Porcelain making. In relation to foreign relations, the Dynasty allowed foreigners to enter China.

The first people to enter the country were Jesuits missionaries who came to spread Christianity. However, as the new religion became popular in China so it became outlawed after its followers committed crimes. The next emperor to the throne was Kang Xi who came into power at the Age of seven years and died at the age of twenty-four from small pox. Kang Xi relations foreign relations included his reign expansion to Taiwan. The opposing force came from Dutch forces. The war ended with the Dutch retreating after defeat form native forces. Now China had become to be famous and ignoring its power could be destructive. It was during this period that Russia saw the need to send forces across its borders[11].

Other emperors of the Dynasty ruled with diverse influences in China and with the west. It was During Emperor Qian long time that the economy flourished at unsurpassable rate. The emperor became famous by building a productive economy. Another aspect of his reign was the creation of the agricultural sector of the economy. During this period, the population of China had reached 300 million[12]. Also on his agenda was the creation of Art and culture departments of the nation. During the reign, new building design became the norm.

The Art of painting also became an aspect of China’s culture. By now, China seemed to be a famous country in the world. China’s Dynasty made little imports but in the same breath made exports to the European markets[13]. The Qing Dynasty provides details of how China became self efficient without the need of outside help.

Reasons fall of Qing Dynasty

Various influences led to the fall of the Qing dynasty. One of the influences of the fall includes inefficiency within ranks in the reign. In the year 1790s, the Dynasty was the richest in the region. At this time trade in silk, porcelain, artworks and tea was at its peak[14]. Now with a population of about 300million China was the most populous country. Traders did their business and its cities were safe at night. The Government had an organized bureaucratic structure. There were separate military and civilian structures[15]. In respect to appointment of persons into public service, various procedures became important.

Before appointment, Confucius approach to morality became the measure. This goal by the dynasty ensured that people of integrity entered public service. Some of the causes to the fall of the dynasty were corruption. Another internal cause for the fall of the dynasty is internal rebellion within the state. It was due to the influence of the “Opium War” that various factions in china saw the need to overthrow the state. This rebel groups felt that the government had lost its mandate of heaven[16]. The other influence to China came from external forces.

As the prosperity of China continued to increase, in the 18^th century European countries began trade in Asia. This movement of Europeans began to pressure economic giant of Asia. Concerning this British trade became a threat to China leading to formation of treaties by the Dynasty. This move by the British economy provided a basis for disagreement that led to the Opium war.

During the war that lasted from 1838 to 1860 China was humiliated. China lost various regions to other nations. On top of these treaties of unequal became practical following British creation. As a result, France took power of the Southeastern region; Taiwan took over the region of Korea and further ordering unequal treaties[17]. Further western nations took control of Chinese coastline; controlling trade and military. With such influences, power had shifted from the imperial court into the arms of foreign powers[18].

External Pressure to the Dynasty

From the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, China was the powerhouse within Asia. The rule had no formal foreign relation ministry. It was during the reign of Emperor Lifan Yuan that relations with the Mongols and the Tibetans became normal. Customs and institutions taken from the Ming reign was responsible for establishing relations with countries in the South East and Eastern regions of Asia[19].

The Nerchisk Treaty was important in maintaining relations with the people of Czarist of the republic of Russia[20]. Come the 18^th century European countries had developed its economy. They had developed their maritime trade systems and this meant that the Qing dynasty had to change. Faced with this changes Qing dynasty made various strategic decisions. The European trade outposts came near Chinese territory. Europeans were now trading in India as well as in Indonesia. In response to these developments, the Qing Dynasty in 1756 established the canton system[21]. This meant that Qing dynasty had put trade restrictions in the city.

Additionally, the Dynasty gave monopoly to Chinese trading companies, and the British government sent a delegation to China. The British East India Company sent a Delegation to China to negotiate free Trade agreements. However, the Emperor told the delegation that China was not interested in free trade agreements[22]. It was relayed by the emperor that China was self-sufficient and did not need external help. China demand for payment for exporting goods to Europe was payment in form of silver[23]. This mode of payment caused great concern to Britain and France. In response to this Britain began selling opium to China to sustain their trade.

After the emperor realized how opium smoking influenced his subjects, he banned the trade in China. He further confiscated stock of opium without compensation leading to war with Britain. This led to the first “Opium War”. Qing Navy clashed with British Navy. With their inferior wooden ships, the Chinese army met defeat with high firepower from British forces. The ground force of the Dynasty was destroyed by the invasion. Therefore, in the year 1842 Qing dynasty surrendered after a humiliating defeat. China was now openedfive ports to traders and missionaries[24].

Qing Dynasty Reaction to Europeans

Qing interactions with the Europeans began with the entry of missionaries in the country it was after the beginning of the reign of Tong Zhi that China became open to the world[25]. The first Europeans to enter the Country were spreading Christianity. The Jesuits missionaries went on teaching about the bible winning followers as well as changing perception of people towards Confucius. The influence of Christianity becomes a concern to the Dynasty. Members of the Church become criminals and rebel against the rule. Therefore, with this influence the Qing Dynasty bans Christianity within its borders[26].

The Chinese Qing Dynasty tried to manage Europeans through control of trade. The Emperor of the Dynasty controls British trade using the canton system. In using this system, the government of the emperor offers trade barriers with its subjects. Qing subjects get restriction to purchasing British and other foreign goods[27]. The other aspect of controlling trade of Europeans is the provision of monopoly to Chinese merchants across its territory. The British having realized that they had to trade with China sent a delegation to arrange a trade agreement. Following the meeting, it became apparent that China was self-sufficient[28].

Another shocker was that the Dynasty wanted to exchange goods with silver. Britain began selling Opium from India to China. The trade on Opium in China was devastating to the Dynasty. Productive land for food production in China became Opium farms. It was now apparent that Chinese money was now getting out and people became Opium addicts. Following these developments, the emperor banned Opium trade confiscating stocks without compensation. This in turn led to war “Opium War” with the British in the year 1842. The war became a total disaster to the dynasty.

The Dynasty signed a treaty, which led to it losing grip of Hong Kong. Further Qing lost other five territories. In controlling the European, the Qing Dynasty introduced kowtow to foreign embassies[29]. In respect to this, the embassies of such countries would accept the superiority of the Emperor of China. In 1665, the Dynasty controlled the Russian by introducing the Nerchinsk Treaty[30]. This treaty delineated the border between China and Russia.

The Chinese dynasty tried to control the Europeans by refusing to expand trade with the British. The Dynasty made deliberate practices and policies, which would limit the interactions of the Europeans in the dynasty. Towards the end of the dynasty, the emperor’s administration made various changes. The Administration made new policies that would cater for its shortfall. One of its reforms was the changing of the national education system. This ensured the dynasty would abolish the imperial exam system. The government had to change its constitution to abolish the imperial office. Other changes were creation of new trade ties with the Europeans.

Bibliography

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Xiao, Xinhuang. Rise of China:Beijing’s strategies and implications for the Asia-Pacific. New York, NY: Routledge, 2009.

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[1]Qitai, Chen and Guo, Chengkang. “The Compilation Of The Qingshi (Qing History) And Stylistic Innovation In Historiography.” Chinese Studies In History, 43, no. 2 (2010): 34.

[2]James, Bradley. The Imperial Cruise:A True Story of Empire and War. (London: Little Brown and Company, 2009), 12.

[3]James, Bradley. The Imperial Cruise:A True Story of Empire and War. (London: Little Brown and Company, 2009), 17.

[4]Qitai, Chen and Guo, Chengkang. “The Compilation Of The Qingshi (Qing History) And Stylistic Innovation In Historiography.” Chinese Studies In History, 43, no. 2 (2010): 41.

[5]Qitai, Chen and Guo, Chengkang. “The Compilation Of The Qingshi (Qing History) And Stylistic Innovation In Historiography.” Chinese Studies In History, 43, no. 2 (2010): 37.

[6]James, Bradley. The Imperial Cruise:A True Story of Empire and War. (London: Little Brown and Company, 2009), 22.

[7]Lingbo, Xiao, Fang, Xiuqi.Zheng, Jingyun and Zhao, Wanyi. “Famine, migration and war: Comparison of climate change impacts and social responses in North China between the late Ming and late Qing dynasties.”The Holocene,25 no.6. (2015):903.

[8]Qitai, Chen and Guo, Chengkang. “The Compilation Of The Qingshi (Qing History) And Stylistic Innovation In Historiography.” Chinese Studies In History, 43, no. 2 (2010): 46.

[9]James, Bradley. The Imperial Cruise:A True Story of Empire and War. (London: Little Brown and Company, 2009), 27.

[10]Xinhuang,Xiao. Rise of China:Beijing’s strategies and implications for the Asia-Pacific. (New York, NY: Routledge, 2009), 9.

[11]Lingbo, Xiao, Fang, Xiuqi.Zheng, Jingyun and Zhao, Wanyi. “Famine, migration and war: Comparison of climate change impacts and social responses in North China between the late Ming and late Qing dynasties.”The Holocene,25 no.6. (2015):905.

[12]James, Bradley. The Imperial Cruise:A True Story of Empire and War. (London: Little Brown and Company, 2009), 13.

[13]Shogo, Suzuki. Civilization and empire:China and Japan’s encounter with European international society. (New York, NY: Routledge, 2009), 20.

[14]Martin, Stuart-Fox. A short history of China and Southeast Asia:tribute, trade and influence. (Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Allen &Unwin, 2003), 8

[15]Qitai, Chen and Guo, Chengkang. “The Compilation Of The Qingshi (Qing History) And Stylistic Innovation In Historiography.” Chinese Studies In History, 43, no. 2 (2010): 43.

[16]James, Bradley. The Imperial Cruise:A True Story of Empire and War. (London: Little Brown and Company, 2009), 11.

[17]Qitai, Chen and Guo, Chengkang. “The Compilation Of The Qingshi (Qing History) And Stylistic Innovation In Historiography.” Chinese Studies In History, 43, no. 2 (2010): 36.

[18]Milton, Osborne. The paramount power:China and the countries of Southeast Asia. Lowy Institute paper; 11.(Double Bay, N. S. W.: Longueville Media, 2006), 7.

[19]Qitai, Chen and Guo, Chengkang. “The Compilation Of The Qingshi (Qing History) And Stylistic Innovation In Historiography.” Chinese Studies In History, 43, no. 2 (2010): 50.

[20]James, Bradley. The Imperial Cruise:A True Story of Empire and War. (London: Little Brown and Company, 2009), 12.

[21]Qitai, Chen and Guo, Chengkang. “The Compilation Of The Qingshi (Qing History) And Stylistic Innovation In Historiography.” Chinese Studies In History, 43, no. 2 (2010): 53.

[22]Xinhuang, Xiao. Rise of China:Beijing’s strategies and implications for the Asia-Pacific. (New York, NY: Routledge, 2009), 14.

[23]James, Bradley. The Imperial Cruise:A True Story of Empire and War. (London: Little Brown and Company, 2009), 18.

[24]Qitai, Chen and Guo, Chengkang. “The Compilation Of The Qingshi (Qing History) And Stylistic Innovation In Historiography.” Chinese Studies In History, 43, no. 2 (2010): 50.

[25]Shogo, Suzuki. Civilization and empire:China and Japan’s encounter with European international society. (New York, NY: Routledge, 2009), 11.

[26]Qitai, Chen and Guo, Chengkang. “The Compilation Of The Qingshi (Qing History) And Stylistic Innovation In Historiography.” Chinese Studies In History, 43, no. 2 (2010): 38.

[27]Xinhuang, Xiao. Rise of China:Beijing’s strategies and implications for the Asia-Pacific. (New York, NY: Routledge, 2009), 9.

[28]James, Bradley. The Imperial Cruise:A True Story of Empire and War. (London: Little Brown and Company, 2009), 11.

[29]Shogo, Suzuki. Civilization and empire:China and Japan’s encounter with European international society. (New York, NY: Routledge, 2009), 15.

[30]James, Bradley. The Imperial Cruise:A True Story of Empire and War. (London: Little Brown and Company, 2009), 4.