Economy
Potential Subthemes
Ideology
Foreign Influence
Middle class
Industry
Government Involvement
Trade
Agriculture
Chinese economy in 1839
Agrarian Issues
o China’s internal economy was almost entirely agriculture
o Predominantly peasant society, dependent on landowners.
o Rapidly growing population put pressure on
Trade
o was some foreign commerce and it was increasing, raising an annual 4%.
o Exports: furs, tobacco, porcelain, tea, Chinoiserie and tea becoming very
popular in Europe.
o Little government support for trade, preference for self-reliance
Impact of the First Opium War + Unequal Treaties
Concessions like the $21 million demanded in the Treaty of Nanjing put significant
economic pressure on Chinese Government (already running low on funds due to imbalance
in Opium trade)
, 50 Treaty Ports forced open by Unequal Treaties, and China was forced to further
increase trade with the west – losing even more money.
Huge increase in opium trade was part of this.
A class of Chinese ‘compradors’ developed, who had willingly worked with Western
companies in return for higher wages and expanded career opportunities. Early expansion of
a sort of ‘middle class separate from the rural landlords.
Developments in Manchu China
Some rail development during Self Strengthening Movement.
o E.g. first commercially operated railroad opened in Shanghai in 1876.
Rapid development 1895-1911, stimulated by defeat in first Sino-Japanese war, as the
government recognised the importance of modernisations and had to grant concessions to
build railways.
90% of population lived by agriculture.
Famine incredibly common – problem for agriculture-dependent economy.
Taiping Rebellion destroyed granary system, putting population at risk of famine,
flooding, drought and pestilence.
Introduction of sweet potatoes as a new food supply reduced increasing hunger and the
frequency of revolts.
Other focuses of self-strengthening movement:
o Advancing commerce by deals with foreign companies
o Developing financial strength through joint-stock companies
o Expanding textiles and mining industries
o Improving carrying trade
o Building railways
o Expanding communications system
Middle Class development in late Manchu Period
o Because of economic development, primarily due to Self-Strengthening Movement -
number 1.5 million by 1900
Imperial Bank of China opened in 1897 – attracted foreign investment and won the
confidence of Chinese businessmen
Potential Subthemes
Ideology
Foreign Influence
Middle class
Industry
Government Involvement
Trade
Agriculture
Chinese economy in 1839
Agrarian Issues
o China’s internal economy was almost entirely agriculture
o Predominantly peasant society, dependent on landowners.
o Rapidly growing population put pressure on
Trade
o was some foreign commerce and it was increasing, raising an annual 4%.
o Exports: furs, tobacco, porcelain, tea, Chinoiserie and tea becoming very
popular in Europe.
o Little government support for trade, preference for self-reliance
Impact of the First Opium War + Unequal Treaties
Concessions like the $21 million demanded in the Treaty of Nanjing put significant
economic pressure on Chinese Government (already running low on funds due to imbalance
in Opium trade)
, 50 Treaty Ports forced open by Unequal Treaties, and China was forced to further
increase trade with the west – losing even more money.
Huge increase in opium trade was part of this.
A class of Chinese ‘compradors’ developed, who had willingly worked with Western
companies in return for higher wages and expanded career opportunities. Early expansion of
a sort of ‘middle class separate from the rural landlords.
Developments in Manchu China
Some rail development during Self Strengthening Movement.
o E.g. first commercially operated railroad opened in Shanghai in 1876.
Rapid development 1895-1911, stimulated by defeat in first Sino-Japanese war, as the
government recognised the importance of modernisations and had to grant concessions to
build railways.
90% of population lived by agriculture.
Famine incredibly common – problem for agriculture-dependent economy.
Taiping Rebellion destroyed granary system, putting population at risk of famine,
flooding, drought and pestilence.
Introduction of sweet potatoes as a new food supply reduced increasing hunger and the
frequency of revolts.
Other focuses of self-strengthening movement:
o Advancing commerce by deals with foreign companies
o Developing financial strength through joint-stock companies
o Expanding textiles and mining industries
o Improving carrying trade
o Building railways
o Expanding communications system
Middle Class development in late Manchu Period
o Because of economic development, primarily due to Self-Strengthening Movement -
number 1.5 million by 1900
Imperial Bank of China opened in 1897 – attracted foreign investment and won the
confidence of Chinese businessmen
