During the 17th century, the Manchus founded the Qing Dynasty in China. The Qing Dynasty ruled for more than 260 years, and expanded the borders of China to include Taiwan, Mongolia, Tibet, and Chinese Central Asia. While they were initially resisted for being non-Chinese, their adherence to traditional Chinese Confucian beliefs and social structures earned the respect of the people. Under the Qing emperors, particularly Kangxi and his grandson Qian-long, China 's prosperity was restored. Kangxi reduced government expenses, lowered taxes, and was a patron of the arts. He enjoyed the company of the Jesuits and learned from them about scientific developments in Europe. Qian-long was an industrious emperor who helped China reach its greatest
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By 1850, the practically unmanageable Chinese population had increased to 430 million people, growing at a rate far higher than the growth of food production. As problems grew, the Chinese people began rebelling against the Qing dynasty. A young man from a province in southern China named Hong Xiuquan led a movement known as the Taiping Rebellion, in which he and his followers attempted to create a "Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace." With his large army, Hong began capturing large areas of southeastern China in the 1850s. However, feuding within the Taiping government and attacks from the Qing, British, French forces brought down the Taiping government. Ultimately, upwards of 20 million people died in the …show more content…
European nations as well as Japan gained strong footholds, known as spheres of influence, in China that allowed them to control trade and investment. A long-time trading partner of China, the United States was concerned that other nations would divide China into colonies and shut out American traders. As a result, the United States declared the Open Door Policy, which proposed that China 's trade be open to merchants of all nations. While the policy protected U.S. trading rights and China 's freedom from colonization, the country was still at the mercy of foreign
By 1850, the practically unmanageable Chinese population had increased to 430 million people, growing at a rate far higher than the growth of food production. As problems grew, the Chinese people began rebelling against the Qing dynasty. A young man from a province in southern China named Hong Xiuquan led a movement known as the Taiping Rebellion, in which he and his followers attempted to create a "Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace." With his large army, Hong began capturing large areas of southeastern China in the 1850s. However, feuding within the Taiping government and attacks from the Qing, British, French forces brought down the Taiping government. Ultimately, upwards of 20 million people died in the …show more content…
European nations as well as Japan gained strong footholds, known as spheres of influence, in China that allowed them to control trade and investment. A long-time trading partner of China, the United States was concerned that other nations would divide China into colonies and shut out American traders. As a result, the United States declared the Open Door Policy, which proposed that China 's trade be open to merchants of all nations. While the policy protected U.S. trading rights and China 's freedom from colonization, the country was still at the mercy of foreign