CHINA:Explain the failure of the Qing dynasty to respond effectively to western demands of diplomatic relations and free trade between 1793 and 1839

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History Essay

Denise Chan 13HK

05-10-2005

Explain the failure of the Qing dynasty to respond effectively to western demands of diplomatic relations and free trade between 1793 and 1839

 

  Although some short term successes were achieved for China when dealing with western demands of diplomatic relations and free trade, in the sense that it retained their pride in their tributary systems, such responses were in flawed in the long term. Focusing on the time period 1793-1839, this essay will investigate what were the western attempts and demands in diplomatic relations and free trade. It will also investigate what was the reason to the failure of the Qing dynasty to respond effectively to western demands of diplomatic relations and free trade. The two aspects will be explored respectively. It will be argued that the Qing government’s failures in responding effectively had led to long term grievances towards China’s existing system by the West, as well as exacerbated silver outflow of Chinese economy. The main factor leading to failures in effective response to western demands was China’s construct that it was superior to any other alien powers.

  Western demands for diplomatic relations can be seen in the three missions from 1793-1834 (Macartney, Amherst and Napier), but Qing’s rejection of Western demands resulted in Western grievances towards the existing system. The failure for Qing to respond effectively to Western demands was due to its world view that it was superior.

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  The Macartney mission was a relative success, for communication between the West and China had been established, but the latter two missions were failures in term of establishing a friendly relationship between powers. The main objectives of the missions were to open the whole East to British trade, place relations with China on a regular basis, and the dissemination of Christianity, for which Qian-long however found it “utterly unreasonable”. More friction could be seen between the West and China with Amherst’s reluctance in conforming the kowtow ritual. Emperor Jaiqing viewed such act as an insult to the Middle Kingdom ...

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