Day+2


 * __ The Opium War, Watershed between Ancient and Modern China __**

==== The watershed between ancient Chinese history and modern Chinese history is the Opium War. This war is actually an encounter between the East and West. After the Renaissance, Reformation, Enlightenment, industrial revolutions and imperialist expansion, the West emerged as a dominant force in the world. In contrast, Chinese civilization declined significantly from a superior position to an inferior status because of its own Sino-centric mentality, isolation and aggressive challenges in the West. In the 18th century, the event of McCartney’s meeting Emperor Qianlong indicated the beginning of a clash between the West and Chinese civilization. McCartney’s diplomatic efforts failed to bring free trade with China. But during the 19th century, the British cannon-policy forced China to open her doors. Chinese civilization met this unprecedented challenge from the West with humiliation that lasted for over one century. ==== ==== How to understand origins of the Opium War and its impact on the history of modern China? Two different perspectives give two opposite answers. The dominant view among Chinese scholars attributes it to Britain’s commercial greed and imperial expansion. The consequence led to a century of humiliation. The other view, particularly, among many Western scholars, regards China’s isolation, ignorance and arrogance as the reason of this confrontation. In their opinion, it is the challenges from the West that led to the era of modern China. ====

**Questions**:
 * Why did Great Britain request/demand free trade with China?
 * Why did Qing rulers refuse to have free trade with the West?
 * Why did British merchants sell opium to China?
 * What are the consequences of opium trade in China?
 * What were Chinese rulers and elite' attitude to challenges from the West?
 * What were China's strategies to deal with challenges from the West?

**Reading**: Chapters 7-9

**PPT**: **Movie**:
 * __ [|British Imperialism in 19 Century China] __
 * The Opium War