The dispute between Chinese mandarins and British merchants in the 19th century

Consequences for their todays bilateral trade and political relations

Essai , 2018 , 19 Pages

Gestion d'entreprise - Histoire Economique et Sociale

The paper is about the dispute between Chinese mandarins and British merchants during the 19. Century and the consequences for todays development of bilateral trade and political relations between advanced then capitalist England and feudal China.
It has to be noted that, in recent decades, there is a decline in interest in clarifying the East-West problem, creating a system of well-arranged historical description of the emergence and development of commercial organizations, the most prosperous of all known to humanity and controlled by a group of London merchants. All aspects of its activities deserve careful study: the beginning of establishing links between England and the East, the creation of an empire, the policy of neo-colonialism, maritime trade with China, as well as the causes and consequences of opium wars.

The growth and volume of trade relations between England and the East overshadowed the period of the long and difficult struggle of the East India Company for the establishment of these relations. Therefore, a thorough, detailed, and comprehensive study of the processes and origins of the development of bilateral trade and political relations between advanced then capitalist England and feudal China is one of the most important and relevant tasks in understanding the historical experience accumulated by mankind, above all, political and social experience.

Table of Contents

• WHY COULD A DISPUTE BETWEEN CHINESE MANDARINS AND BRITISH MERCHANTS NOT BE RESOLVED BEFORE 1839
• The Beginning of the History of China
• The Need for Expansion into China
• Qing China Entered the 19th Century Being a Rich and Completely Closed from the Europeans Power
• Until the Second Half of the 19th Century, Trade with Europeans Was Conducted Only Through the Port of Guangzhou
• Pursuing a Policy of Autarky, the Chinese Government Refused to Acquire Imported Goods and Minimized Foreign Trade Relations
• For the Political Realities of Europe of the 19th Century, the Colonization of the Countries of Asia and Africa Was Quite an Ordinary Part of the General International Geopolitics
• During the First Half of the 19th Century, Fundamental Changes Took Place in the Relations Between England and China
• The Arbitrariness of Qing Officials Reached Frightening Proportions, Which, Undoubtedly, Slowed Down the Development of International Trade Even More
• Intensive Trade Under This Scheme Led to the Depletion of the British Treasury, Endangering the Welfare of the Bank of England
• An Important Point Should Be Noted: The Activity of the British in the Qing Empire Was Not From the Very Beginning Military and Force

Objectives and Key Themes

This text aims to explore the complex historical context of the unresolved dispute between Chinese mandarins and British merchants leading up to the Opium Wars in 1839. It analyzes the economic, political, and cultural factors contributing to this clash between the two nations.

• The Rise of British Capitalism and its Need for Expansion
• China's Isolationist Policy and its Consequences
• The Opium Trade and its Impact on the Balance of Power
• The Clash of Civilizations and the Imposition of Western Ideals
• The Impact of Trade and Imperialism on Chinese Society

Chapter Summaries

• The first chapter discusses the historical background of Sino-European relations, starting from the establishment of trading posts in China by Europeans and the spread of Christianity. It then examines the shift in Chinese policy towards isolationism and its impact on foreign trade.
• The second chapter focuses on the need for expansion into China driven by the logic of capitalist development in Europe. It highlights the role of the British East India Company and the growing demand for Chinese goods.
• The third chapter delves into the economic and political situation of Qing China in the 19th century. It explains China's closed economy, its limited foreign trade, and the British pursuit of finding new markets. This chapter also analyzes the role of opium in disrupting the trade balance.
• The fourth chapter examines the restrictive trade policies implemented by the Qing government, including the limitations imposed on foreign merchants, and the consequences of these policies. It also discusses the rise of the opium trade as a tool for British economic dominance.
• The fifth chapter delves into the historical context of British imperialism and its impact on China. It discusses the conquest of India and the growing British influence in Asia. This chapter also highlights the Qing government's inability to control multinational China and their continued arrogance towards foreign powers.
• The sixth chapter highlights the consequences of the Qing government's arbitrary actions and its impact on international trade. It discusses the growing British discontent over unequal trade relations and the potential threat to the British monetary system.
• The seventh chapter explores the attempts by the British to engage with the Chinese emperors and the Qing government's refusal to acknowledge the need for change. It also emphasizes the non-military nature of British actions in the early stages of their engagement with China.

Keywords

This preview focuses on key topics including: British imperialism, Chinese isolationism, opium trade, trade relations, political and economic factors, clash of civilizations, Qing dynasty, East India Company, and the emergence of global capitalism.

• Université: Columbia Southern University
• Auteur: Nadiia Kudriashova (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2018
• Pages: 19
• N° de catalogue: V500555
• ISBN (ebook): 9783346033604
• ISBN (Livre): 9783346033611
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: opium wars, colonian trade, China, British Empire