Essay On The Rise And Fall Of The Qing Dynasty

China’s Qing Dynasty flourished during the 1800s, but by the turn of the century, its power and influence had begun to decline. By 1912, a combination of internal and external factors had caused the once glorious dynasty to collapse. European influence was one of the most prominent factors that led to the decline and eventual collapse of the Qing Dynasty. After the Opium Wars in the mid-1800s, Great Britain imposed unfair restrictions and treaties on China and took control of Hong Kong. Other European and Asian nations, like France, Germany, Russia, and Japan, soon followed suit and took advantage of China’s weakened state. By 1900, foreign countries controlled the majority of trade and military power within China. While the Qing Dynasty faced external threats from foreign countries, they also struggled to quell internal conflicts. Many people sought modernization or governmental reform, but the Qing Empress, instead of complying with the wants of these reformers, chose to execute them. An underground anti-foreigner movement, called the Boxer …show more content…
China’s power was especially weakened after the Opium Wars with Great Britain, the aftermath of which resulted in British control of Hong Kong and several unfair treaties. China, in its weakened state, soon became known as the “sick man of Asia” and several Eurasian countries, including France, Germany, Russia, and Japan, took advantage of this opportunity to increase their own power. These countries soon established settlements and spheres of influence within China, allowing them to possess certain rights and privileges within their region. It wasn’t long before China’s Imperial Court had lost the majority of its power to foreign influence. This newfound power allowed foreign countries to essentially control all Chinese trade; a reality that made foreigners wealthy, but deeply worried