‘The Unequal Treaties were the most important turning point in China’s relationship with foreign powers in the years 1839 to 1989.’ How far do you agree?
Level
A Level
Year Examined
2020
Topic
China and its rulers 1839-1989
👑Complete Model Essay
‘The Unequal Treaties were the most important turning point in China’s relationship with foreign powers in the years 1839 to 1989.’ How far do you agree?
The Unequal Treaties were the most important turning point in China’s relationship with foreign powers in the years 1839 to 1989. How far do you agree?
The assertion that the Unequal Treaties were the most significant turning point in China’s relationship with foreign powers between 1839 and 1989 is a compelling one, but requires a nuanced examination. It is undeniable that the treaties, imposed by Western powers, profoundly shaped China’s trajectory, leading to a century of humiliation, foreign intervention, and internal upheaval. However, arguing that they were the *soleturning point overlooks other crucial events and shifts in China's foreign policy orientation.
The Impact of the Unequal Treaties
The Unequal Treaties, primarily stemming from the Opium Wars, represent a watershed moment for several reasons. Firstly, they embodied a sense of profound injustice and humiliation for the Chinese. The treaties forced China to cede territory, pay indemnities, grant extraterritoriality to foreigners, and open its ports to foreign trade on unequal terms. This was a stark departure from the previous centuries where China had viewed itself as the Middle Kingdom, holding a position of cultural and political superiority. The perception of these treaties as imposed and unfair fostered deep suspicion and resentment towards Western powers that persisted throughout the period.
Secondly, the unequal terms of trade and economic concessions enshrined in the treaties facilitated the economic penetration of China by Western powers. This led to a growing Western influence on the Chinese economy, undermining China's traditional economic structures and further exacerbating the sense of foreign encroachment.
Thirdly, the treaties served as a catalyst for internal turmoil and instability. The humiliation of foreign defeat, combined with escalating foreign encroachment and the dismantling of China's traditional order, spurred anti-foreign sentiments and fueled various resistance movements. These included the Taiping Rebellion, the Boxer Rebellion, and the May Fourth Movement, which further destabilized China and contributed to its declining status in the international order.
Alternative Turning Points
However, while the Unequal Treaties were undeniably pivotal, attributing the entire trajectory of China's foreign relations to them overlooks several other significant turning points. For instance, the Japanese invasion of China between 1937 and 1945 was a watershed moment. The brutality of the invasion and the scale of suffering inflicted upon the Chinese people solidified a deep sense of animosity and a focus on national defense. This experience shaped China's post-war foreign policy, particularly its strained relations with Japan and its commitment to strengthening the military.
The Communist revolution of 1949 and the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) marked another crucial turning point, signifying a radical shift in China's alignment. The PRC initially allied itself with the Soviet Union, becoming a major player in the Cold War. This alignment influenced China's foreign policy for decades, shaping its approach towards the West and its relations with other communist states.
The Sino-Soviet split in the 1960s and the subsequent rapprochement with the United States in the 1970s further illustrate the dynamic nature of China's foreign policy. These events demonstrate a flexibility and pragmatism in China's approach to foreign relations, going beyond the initial framework set by the Unequal Treaties.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Unequal Treaties were undeniably instrumental in shaping China's relationship with foreign powers between 1839 and 1989, they were not the only significant turning point. The impact of the treaties, particularly the humiliation and resentment, was long-lasting, but it was not the sole determining factor in China’s foreign policy trajectory. Other major events, such as the Japanese invasion, the Communist revolution, the Sino-Soviet split, and the subsequent rapprochement with the West, significantly impacted China's foreign relations and its perception in the international arena. Thus, while the Unequal Treaties were a crucial starting point, they did not define China's relationship with foreign powers in its entirety.
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
The Unequal Treaties were the most important turning point in China’s relationship with foreign powers in the years 1839 to 1989. How far do you agree?
This essay will explore the extent to which the Unequal Treaties can be considered the most significant turning point in China's relationship with foreign powers from 1839 to 1989. While the Treaties undeniably marked a dramatic shift in China's international standing, it is important to consider other key events and developments that also significantly shaped this relationship.
Supporting the Hypothesis: The Enduring Impact of the Unequal Treaties
The Unequal Treaties were perceived as deeply unjust and humiliating by the Chinese people, leading to an enduring suspicion of foreigners that permeated Chinese politics and society for decades.
This suspicion was most evident in the anti-foreign sentiment that fueled movements like the Boxer Rebellion and the "Resist America, Aid Korea" campaign, which further damaged China's international reputation. The treaties also ushered in a period of growing foreign influence, particularly in the economic sphere, as Western powers exploited China's weakened position for their own gain.
The Treaty of Nanking, which ceded Hong Kong to Britain, became a symbol of foreign encroachment and fueled Chinese nationalism, contributing to a perception of China as a victim of Western imperialism.
The treaties ultimately opened China up to aggression from multiple powers, including Britain, France, Germany, Japan, and Russia, who were emboldened by China's weakness to engage in land grabbing and economic exploitation.
Challenging the Hypothesis: Other Key Turning Points
The Opium Wars, which led to the Unequal Treaties, were themselves a product of growing foreign influence in China, rather than its cause.
The British, driven by their desire for lucrative trade with China, had been aggressively seeking access to Chinese markets for decades prior to the Opium Wars. This suggests a pre-existing trend of Western encroachment that was not solely the result of the Treaties.
The Nationalist seizure of power in 1927 ushered in a period where China actively sought foreign, Western influence, culminating in US military intervention during the Korean War.
This suggests that China's orientation towards the West was not solely defined by the treaties, but also by its own political circumstances and strategic alliances.
The Japanese invasion of China in the 1930s, a culmination of decades of Japanese aggression, was a more significant turning point than the Unequal Treaties.
The Japanese invasion not only exposed China's vulnerability but also fostered a strong sense of national unity and resistance, shaping China's defense policies and its relationship with regional powers.
The Communist takeover in 1949 marked another significant turning point, with a re-orientation of China towards communist powers, particularly the USSR.
This shift in allegiance, along with the Korean War and the Sino-Soviet split, further complicated China's relationship with both the West and Soviet bloc.
The thawing of relations with the West in the later Cold War, particularly the visit of Nixon in 1972, signaled a significant shift in China's foreign policy, moving away from a purely ideological stance.
This period demonstrates that China's foreign policy was not static, but adapted to changing geopolitical realities.
Conclusion
While the Unequal Treaties were a defining moment in China's relationship with foreign powers, it is inaccurate to claim they were the sole or most important turning point. The period from 1839 to 1989 witnessed a complex interplay of factors, including Western imperialism, internal political turmoil, and shifting alliances, that ultimately shaped China's foreign policy. While the treaties had a profound and lasting impact, it is important to acknowledge other significant events that also played a crucial role in shaping this relationship.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
Supporting the Hypothesis
It can be argued that the Unequal Treaties significantly shaped China's outlook on the world until the end of the period. The Treaties, perceived as imposed and unjust, fostered enduring suspicion of foreigners, a sentiment that persisted at least until Deng Xiaoping's rule, exemplified by British control of Hong Kong throughout the period. Moreover, the Treaties ushered in a period of increasing Western influence in China, notably in economics but also in politics and ideology. Events stemming from the Unequal Treaties, such as attacks on foreigners and foreign assets, and uprisings like the Boxer Rebellion and the "Resist America, Aid Korea" movement, further diminished China's standing in the eyes of foreign powers.
The Unequal Treaties also made China vulnerable to aggression, economic exploitation, and land grabs by various powers throughout the period, including Britain, France, Germany, Japan, and Russia. Challenging the Hypothesis
However, it can also be argued that the Unequal Treaties were the outcome, rather than the cause, of growing foreign influence in China. The Opium Wars marked the start of aggressive foreign actions towards China, escalating from seeking coastal trading posts to mainland incursions and attempts to influence Chinese policy and the political system.
The Nationalist Party's rise to power resulted in a period where China actively sought Western influence, culminating in US military intervention to support the regime, albeit not lasting. The Japanese invasion of China, following a period of aggression, was a turning point, leading to a strong defensive stance towards Japan and other regional powers.
The Communist takeover in 1949 marked a significant shift, realigning China towards communist powers, particularly the USSR. The Korean War and the Sino-Soviet split played crucial roles in shaping China's relations with both Western powers and the USSR. The thawing of relations with the West during the later Cold War, notably Nixon's visit, highlights the complex evolution of China's international orientation.