‘Trade was the main reason for international involvement in China in the late nineteenth century.
Level
AS LEVEL
Year Examined
2022
Topic
Empire and the emergence of world powers, 1870–1919
👑Complete Model Essay
‘Trade was the main reason for international involvement in China in the late nineteenth century.
Trade as the Main Reason for International Involvement in China in the Late Nineteenth Century
The assertion that trade was the primary driver of international involvement in China during the late nineteenth century holds considerable weight, yet it represents an incomplete picture of the complex interplay of factors at play. While economic considerations were undeniably significant, the geopolitical climate, imperial ambitions, and even social and religious motivations contributed to the growing interest in China. This essay argues that while trade served as a crucial catalyst, it was interwoven with other powerful forces that shaped the nature and extent of foreign involvement in China.
The Undeniable Significance of Trade
The economic allure of China for Western powers during this period is undeniable. The Opium Wars (1839-42 and 1856-60) exemplified Western determination to pry open the Chinese market. These conflicts, rooted in the lucrative opium trade, resulted in humiliating defeats for the Qing Dynasty and forced China to accept a series of unequal treaties. These treaties granted Western powers concessions, including the establishment of treaty ports like Hong Kong and Shanghai, which became hubs of international trade. The treaty system effectively dismantled internal barriers to European trade and exposed China to the forces of globalization on Western terms.
Further solidifying the economic imperative, the United States, a rising power with its own imperial ambitions, proposed the Open Door Policy in 1899. This policy advocated for equal trading rights for all nations within China, aiming to prevent any single power from monopolizing the vast Chinese market. The Open Door Policy underscored the paramount importance of trade in shaping international interactions with China, with the United States recognizing the economic stakes involved.
Beyond Trade: A Multifaceted Approach
However, to perceive international involvement solely through the lens of trade would be a simplification. Geopolitical considerations were deeply intertwined with economic interests. For European powers like Great Britain and France, establishing a presence in China was not just about profit; it was about maintaining their global standing and prestige. Competition for colonies and influence, particularly in Asia, fueled a race for dominance, and China, with its perceived weakness and vast resources, became a focal point of this rivalry.
The emergence of Japan as a major player in East Asia further complicates the narrative. Japan's rapid modernization under the Meiji Restoration had profound implications for the regional balance of power. Seeking to establish itself as a force to be reckoned with, Japan harbored territorial ambitions in China, evident in its victory in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-95). This conflict demonstrated that imperial aspirations, fueled by a desire for regional hegemony, were as crucial a driver as trade for some nations.
Beyond the realm of geopolitics and economics, the role of ideology, particularly religious ideology, cannot be ignored. The activities of Christian missionaries, while often intertwined with Western imperialism, added another layer to international involvement in China. Missionaries, seeking to spread Christianity, established schools, hospitals, and social institutions, impacting Chinese society. This religious dimension, while often viewed through the lens of cultural imperialism, highlights the diverse motivations underpinning foreign involvement in China.
The Boxer Uprising: A Convergence of Interests
The Boxer Uprising (1899-1900) serves as a potent example of how economic, political, and social factors coalesced in the late nineteenth century. The Boxer Rebellion, a violent anti-foreign, anti-Christian uprising, elicited a united response from Western powers, Japan, and even Russia. This eight-nation alliance, driven by a shared interest in safeguarding their citizens and economic interests, crushed the rebellion, further weakening the Qing Dynasty and solidifying foreign influence in China.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while trade undoubtedly served as a significant catalyst for international involvement in China during the late nineteenth century, attributing it as the sole reason would be a simplification of a complex historical phenomenon. Geopolitical rivalries, imperial aspirations, and even social and religious factors played their part. The interaction of these factors, often inseparable and mutually reinforcing, ultimately shaped the fate of China in this pivotal period. The Open Door Policy, the scramble for concessions, and the Boxer Uprising stand as testaments to the multifaceted nature of foreign involvement in China, where trade, power, and ideology converged to produce a new and turbulent chapter in Chinese history.
**Bibliography**
Fairbank, J. K., & Goldman, M. (2006). China: A new history (2nd enlarged ed.). Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.
Spence, J. D. (2013). The search for modern China (3rd ed.). New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
Note: History Study Pack Required
Score Big with Perfectly Structured History Essays!
Prepare effortlessly for your A/AS/O-Level exams with our comprehensive...
History Study Pack.
✅ 1200+ Model Essays: Master your essay writing with expertly crafted answers to past paper questions.
✅ Exam Boards Covered: Tailored materials for AQA, Cambridge, and OCR exams.
🍃 Free Essay Plan
Introduction
Brief overview of Western involvement in China during the late 19th century. Thesis statement stating your stance on the role of trade in comparison to other factors.
Trade as a Primary Motivator
Explain how the weakness of the Qing Dynasty allowed European powers to establish favorable trade agreements. Discuss the significance of treaty ports and the opium trade. Mention the Open Door Policy and its impact.
Beyond Trade: International Rivalry and Strategic Interests
Analyze how European rivalry and the pursuit of international prestige fueled involvement in China. Discuss the USA's entry into the region and its motivations. Examine Japan's emergence as a regional power and its expansionist ambitions, particularly regarding Korea.
Additional Factors: Missionaries and Ideological Justifications
Briefly explore the role of missionaries in China and their influence on Western perceptions. Consider if ideological factors, such as a perceived "civilizing mission," played a role alongside economic and political motives.
Case Study: The Boxer Rebellion
Analyze the Boxer Rebellion as a culmination of Chinese resentment towards foreign influence. Discuss how the international response to the rebellion highlighted the interplay of economic, political, and ideological motivations.
Conclusion
Reiterate your argument regarding the significance of trade in relation to other factors. Summarize the diverse range of motivations behind international involvement in China during this period.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
Trade was the main reason for international involvement in China in the late nineteenth century. How far do you agree?
Economic issues were undoubtedly important, but a number of other factors may be identified as contributing to the growing interest in China in the late nineteenth century.
Trade:
In the mid-nineteenth century, the weak Chinese government of the Qing dynasty had been forced into a series of concessions to European countries that included the granting of treaty ports or trading centres for the great powers (Hong Kong, Shanghai etc.). This included legalising trade in opium from which western traders made huge profits and removing all internal barriers to European trade. This was reinforced when the USA joined the imperialist race for control and proposed the Open-Door Policy to regulate foreign trading in China.
Other factors:
Whilst trade was the primary focus, governments saw supporting trade as a matter of international status so European rivalry played a part. USA became more involved because acquisition of the Philippines turned US enterprise toward the possibility of developing trade with China where Europeans were already making large profits. Japan, having carried out extensive modernisation, was interested in establishing itself as a world power and as the strongest indigenous power in East Asia and so wanted to seize control of Chinese territory, especially control of Korea (First Sino– Japanese War 1894–95 & Treaty of Shimonoseki). The role of missionaries might also be included, and all factors can be drawn together in the response to the Boxer rising (1900–01). Accept any other valid responses.