Essay: The Decline of the Qing Dynasty and the Western Influence

This essay examines the decline of the Qing Dynasty, arguing that Western influences were a primary cause. It discusses the dynasty's initial strength and eventual decline, highlighting factors such as trade restrictions, the introduction of opium, and military conflicts like the Opium Wars and the Bo...Read More

Running Head: HISTORY
THE DECLINE OF QING DYNASTY
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2THE DECLINE OF QING DYNASTY
Introduction
Empires rise and they fall, the fall of dynasty is dependent on a lot of factors both internal
and external factors. The fall of Qing dynasty in 1911-1912 marked the end of the China’s last
imperial history1. Qing dynasty ruled over China for 268 years since its beginning in 1644 CE by
defeating the last Ming ruler. Experts are of the opinion that the decline of such a powerful
dynasty was due to the western influences that had entered the country2. The following essay
argues that the decline of the Qing Dynasty due to the western influences.
Discussion
Historical evidence points that China under the Qing was one of the most influential and
powerful dynasty that lasted for several years. Experts state that the process of decline was long
and complicated as well as it was dependent on several factors3. The Qings arrived from
Manchuria and defeated the Mings, they made a mark as the outside conquerors who took over
the orthodox Chinese rulers and established themselves as that. As the world progressed it also
enhanced the business routes of China to the other world which allowed the interaction of
various cultures within the Chinese orthodox homogenous Chinese society4. This interaction also
meant that China was open to the intrusion of foreign contagious diseases. This led to China’s
dependency on Western medicine for the treatment of diseases like smallpox, and fertilizers for
1 Xiaomin, Zhang, and Xu Chunfeng. "The late Qing dynasty diplomatic transformation: Analysis from an ideational
perspective." Chinese Journal of International Politics 1, no. 3 (2007): 405-445.
2 Xiaomin, Zhang, and Xu Chunfeng. "The late Qing dynasty diplomatic transformation: Analysis from an ideational
perspective." Chinese Journal of International Politics 1, no. 3 (2007): 405-445.
3 Yan, T. Z., Mei Bai, and W. Z. Tian. "Population growth and its influence on environment in West Liaohe basin in
Qing Dynasty." Human Geography 94 (2007): 115-118.
4 Yan, T. Z., Mei Bai, and W. Z. Tian. "Population growth and its influence on environment in West Liaohe basin in
Qing Dynasty." Human Geography 94 (2007): 115-118.

3THE DECLINE OF QING DYNASTY
the crop5. The western influence was minimal at first, but with a growing need the Western
influence gradually increased.
The Qing dynasty that came from Manchuria was one of the most influential period for China.
The Qing dynasty helped to integrate the national economy. It was during the rule of the Qings
that the population grew with better livelihood and state of lives. Expert suggest that these
contributions of the Qings also became one of the major threats to the western imperialist rulers.
During the 1880s and 1890s China was overcome with conflicts that came as the Sino Japanese
war, Treaty of Shimonoseki all of which cost China economically enormously but also increased
the their distrust for the foreigners6. According to historians, the Qing dynasty had the complete
control of China, the rebellion that rose by the locals such as the White Lotus rebellion in 1794
was defeated very easily by the superior Qing elites. Reason such as these made the Qings very
complacent and confident as the threats were reduced7.
This was one of the major reasons that made the Qings to undermine the British power.
Having possessed all the power they were confident that they could not be defeated by any
external or internal force. Experts state that the primary interest by the western imperialists in
China was to create a market that would serve in their interest8. However, the trade and
commerce in the rule of the Qings was one of the most restricted professions. China was
convinced that the rebellions were due to the western influence and their ideology were creating
the people to question the authority of the country and its governance. Britain loved the import of
5 Yan, T. Z., Mei Bai, and W. Z. Tian. "Population growth and its influence on environment in West Liaohe basin in
Qing Dynasty." Human Geography 94 (2007): 115-118.
6 Yan, T. Z., Mei Bai, and W. Z. Tian. "Population growth and its influence on environment in West Liaohe basin in
Qing Dynasty." Human Geography 94 (2007): 115-118.
7 Niu, Weihua. "Western influences on Chinese educational testing." Comparative Education 43, no. 1 (2007): 71-
91.
8 Niu, Weihua. "Western influences on Chinese educational testing." Comparative Education 43, no. 1 (2007): 71-
91.

4THE DECLINE OF QING DYNASTY
tea and was one of the major customers of China and the Qings therefore demanded that they be
paid in gold and silver for their tea and refused the trade negotiations9. The negotiations did not
sit well with the British who sought to create a counter market that would be dependent on them,
thus they introduced the opium. Opium became one of the greatest weapons of the Western
influence within the Qing ruled China. People would sell everything to get a taste of the drug.
The massive drug abuse led to the rise in crime and prostitution. It also weakened the health of
the people considerably. The illicit trade turned to a great advantage for the British Crown who
now had access to Chinese mainland. The Qings recognized the issue too late and retaliated by
burning 20,000 bales of opium which were compensated by the Chinese government when they
lost control of the Hong Kong. The Opium War of 1839–42 and 1856–60 showed that China was
weak and vulnerable10.
This is relevant from the sociological viewpoint as well. Sharp (2012) is of the opinion that when
a country is oppressed for a long period of time. The oppression becomes a part of the social
construct which results in unquestioning masses and it is easier to control them11. Qings when
faced with the rebellions realized that there was a gap in their ruling policies and therefore,
tightened the control of all businesses. China under the Qing dynasty was very conservative and
caused immense problems to the weaker section of the society12. The strict confining nature of
the society gave rise to rebellions. Studies show that religious societies played an immense role
in the uprisings throughout the history of China which believed in anti-Christian and anti-foreign
ideology. They became so powerful that the western countries were worried about the safety of
9 Niu, Weihua. "Western influences on Chinese educational testing." Comparative Education 43, no. 1 (2007): 71-
91.
10 Thoughtco.com. 2020. "Learn The Cause Behind The Fall Of China's Qing Dynasty". Thoughtco.
https://www.thoughtco.com/fall-of-the-qing-dynasty-195608.
11 Sharp, Gene. From dictatorship to democracy: A conceptual framework for liberation. The New Press, 2012.
12 Thoughtco.com. 2020. "Learn The Cause Behind The Fall Of China's Qing Dynasty". Thoughtco.
https://www.thoughtco.com/fall-of-the-qing-dynasty-195608.

5THE DECLINE OF QING DYNASTY
the missionaries in China13. They were called the righteous and harmonious fists that consisted of
poor farmers and youth who lost their livelihood owing to imperialist rule of Qings. Owing to the
growing resentment towards the Christian missionaries, the foreign powers demanded the end of
the boxer rebellion14. This gave rise to initial clashes of China and the western rulers.The boxer
rebellion was being stooped by the Qing troops, but the Empress Dowager Cixi ordered the end
to the attacks and declared that there was no harm in secret societies. She was aware the
consequences of crushing Chinese groups could lead to the unpopularity of the Qing dynasty.
She was also against any reformation policies within the Qing Dynasty15. The people suffered
while Qing royals lived in their old glory and failed to make a difference in the lives of the poor.
Studies state that the unpopularity of the Qing dynasty was owing to the fact that e Qing Empress
Dowager Cixi punished the reformers within the court of Qing and refused to modernize its
approach. The rise of the Chinese peasant movement which was in support of the Qing Dynasty
initially, they along with the Qing troops formed an alliance to get rid the missionaries in China
and that gave rise to the anti-foreigner movement in 1900 which was eventually defeated by the
foreign troops16. Thoughtco.com. (2020) state that the western influence especially the illicit
opium trade led to the weakening of the social structure and helped in the systematic
disintegration of the Qing dynasty17. Other experts argue that the social Darwinism of the Qings
led to their eminent downfall. One of the major issues that Qing had with the missionary works
in China was the entry of new thoughts and world view. Christianity ushered in a new world
13 Thoughtco.com. 2020. "Learn The Cause Behind The Fall Of China's Qing Dynasty". Thoughtco.
https://www.thoughtco.com/fall-of-the-qing-dynasty-195608.
14 Thoughtco.com. 2020. "Learn The Cause Behind The Fall Of China's Qing Dynasty". Thoughtco.
https://www.thoughtco.com/fall-of-the-qing-dynasty-195608.
15 Thoughtco.com. 2020. "Learn The Cause Behind The Fall Of China's Qing Dynasty". Thoughtco.
https://www.thoughtco.com/fall-of-the-qing-dynasty-195608.
16
17 Thoughtco.com. 2020. "Learn The Cause Behind The Fall Of China's Qing Dynasty". Thoughtco.
https://www.thoughtco.com/fall-of-the-qing-dynasty-195608.

6THE DECLINE OF QING DYNASTY
view that previously did not exists. The singular and homogenous society structure aided the
Qings to rule for such a long time and even helped them to ensure a system of dictatorship and
monarchy. The wars to stop invasions left China poor of its money and resources. It also created
a weak mental image about China among the other princely state.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are various reasons that led to the downfall of the Qing dynasty. However,
one of the primary reason for its decay was their attitude towards foreign influence and their
policies and function that did not change with time. The western influence is undeniable and
caused major damage to the imperialist Qing dynasty.

7THE DECLINE OF QING DYNASTY
Reference
Sharp, Gene. From dictatorship to democracy: A conceptual framework for liberation. The New
Press, 2012.
Xiaomin, Zhang, and Xu Chunfeng. "The late Qing dynasty diplomatic transformation: Analysis
from an ideational perspective." Chinese Journal of International Politics 1, no. 3 (2007): 405-
445.
Yan, T. Z., Mei Bai, and W. Z. Tian. "Population growth and its influence on environment in
West Liaohe basin in Qing Dynasty." Human Geography 94 (2007): 115-118.
Niu, Weihua. "Western influences on Chinese educational testing." Comparative Education 43,
no. 1 (2007): 71-91.
Tan, Jing. "Cultural incentives behind the failure of internalization of international law in the late
Qing dynasty: a case study of the Boxer Rebellion." HKU Theses Online (HKUTO) (2019).
Thoughtco.com. 2020. "Learn The Cause Behind The Fall Of China's Qing Dynasty".
Thoughtco. https://www.thoughtco.com/fall-of-the-qing-dynasty-195608.