Discuss the factors within China and among the Chinese people that explain the powerful British presence in China by 1842

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

ANSWER:
By the early nineteenth century, Qing society had become overburdened by enormous population growth, resulting in a failing agricultural base, a restless and urbanizing population, and a generally failing economy. Several groups of displaced minority peoples, village vigilante organizations, and all those who were tired of corrupt and inefficient government joined in the growing discontent. The Qing, who had maintained equilibrium with their very large Russian neighbors, did not consider the British a serious threat. To the Qing, the British were geographically distant and only mildly interested in trade. However, the British were much more than mildly interested, especially in luxury items such as tea and silks. The Chinese were not interested in British goods in return and demanded cash payments. The only item that the British could find to exchange was opium. Although opium imports had long been banned by the Qing government, the ban was seldom enforced. By 1839, opium imports and drug-related problems had increased enormously, and the Qing decided to begin enforcing the ban. The British considered enforcement a restraint on trade and an assault on British economic well-being. Therefore, they sent their naval and marine forces to attack Chinese coastal cities. The Qing military was no match for the British forces. The Treaty of Nanking solidified British power by granting the British rights of residence in Chinese "treaty ports," a low tariff on British imports, and a Qing indemnity.