How Did Western Powers Gain Greater Trading Rights in China?

By Reader nawafnet

The history of trading relations between China and Western powers dates back to the early 16th century, when Portuguese traders first arrived in China. However, it was not until the mid-19th century that Western powers began to take a greater interest in China with the aim of gaining more significant trading rights.

This article will explore the factors that led to Western powers gaining greater trading rights in China, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of their approaches, through the use of primary and secondary sources and a comprehensive table of data.

Introduction

China has always been a land of promise for traders, merchants, and entrepreneurs. The country’s rich resources, technology, and history have long fascinated the Western world, and since the 19th century, Western powers have attempted to expand their trade interests in China. Following the Industrial Revolution, Western countries had a surplus of goods that they needed to sell, and China offered a lucrative market.

However, Chinese policies at the time were highly restrictive, with foreign traders only allowed to trade in certain specified ports and under strict regulations. This led to increased tensions between China and Western powers, with the latter wanting greater trading rights in China.

In this article, we will examine the process by which Western powers gained greater trading rights in China, as well as the factors that contributed to their success.

The History of Trade Between China and Western Powers

The first Europeans to establish trade relations with China were Portuguese merchants who arrived in Macau in 1513. However, it wasn’t until the 17th century that more European countries got involved in the trade.

The British East India Company, established in 1600, was the first British organization to trade in India and China. By the 18th century, the company controlled much of the trade between Britain and the East Indies, with offices in China.

During the 19th century, a growing trade balance formed between Europe and China, with China exporting items like silk, tea, and porcelain. In contrast, Europe provided items such as bullion, opium, and wool resulting in a trade imbalance developing in favor of China.

The Influence of Opium Trade on Chinese Economy

The Opium Wars were two conflicts in the mid-19th century involving China and the British Empire over the trade of opium. The British force fed Silvers into the Chinese economy to buy tea and silk; however, the trade deficit increased, which then forced the British to balance the deficit by selling opium to China. The British also blocked the Chinese from selling their goods for higher prices in Southeast Asia and India, which further increased the surplus of silver and caused a liquidity crisis in China.

With Britain exporting increasing amounts of opium to China, the Chinese government tried to ban the drug in 1839, leading to the First Opium War in 1840, which ended two years later with the Treaty of Nanking. Under the treaty, the Chinese were forced to open several ports to foreign trade, cede control of Hong Kong to Britain, and pay reparations of 21 million silver dollars.

The Second Opium War in 1856 ended similarly, with China being forced to open up more ports and allow foreign trade, leading to a more significant Western presence in the country.

How Did Western Powers Gain Greater Trading Rights in China

Western powers initially attempted to gain greater trading rights in China through peaceful means. For example, in 1793, Britain sent a delegation to the Chinese emperor requesting greater trading rights, but this was denied.

After the Opium Wars, Western powers began to use force to gain greater trading rights. For example, in 1860, France and Britain invaded China and forced the government to sign the Convention of Beijing, which allowed them to trade in additional Chinese ports and establish diplomatic missions in Beijing.

Similarly, in 1898, Germany leased the port of Qingdao and the surrounding area from China and established a naval base there. Germany then used Qingdao as a base to pressure China into granting them additional trading rights.

Strengths of Western Powers approach

The main strength of Western powers was their military might, which they used aggressively against the Chinese. They were able to forcibly open up ports and gain greater trading rights in China through treaty negotiations. In addition, they were motivated by a desire to expand their trade interests and were willing to take risks to achieve those ends.

Weaknesses of Western Powers approach

One of the main weaknesses of the Western powers’ approach was their lack of understanding of Chinese culture. The Westerners were seen by the Chinese as arrogant and insensitive to their culture, leading to resentment. In addition, Western companies’ constant demands for greater trading rights and the influx of Western goods led to a loss of national pride in China.

The Table

Year	Event	Outcome
1600	British East India Company establishes trading posts in India and China	British establish trade with China
1793	Britain sends a delegation to China requesting greater trading rights	Request is denied by the Chinese emperor
1839-1842	First Opium War	China forced to cede control of Hong Kong to Britain and open several ports to foreign trade
1856-1860	Second Opium War	More ports opened to foreign trade, and Western powers establish diplomatic missions in Beijing
1898	Germany leases the port of Qingdao from China	Germany granted additional trading rights in China

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What sparked the interest of Western powers in increasing trade with China?

The Industrial Revolution resulted in a surplus of goods in Western countries that they needed to sell, and China offered a lucrative market.

2. How did the Opium Wars impact trading relations between China and the West?

The Opium Wars forced China to open up more ports to foreign trade and cede control of Hong Kong to Britain.

3. Why did Western powers use force to gain greater trading rights in China?

The initial peaceful attempts to gain greater trading rights were unsuccessful. Therefore, Western powers resorted to using force to achieve their ends.

4. What was the main strength of Western powers in their approach to gaining greater trading rights?

Their military might was the main strength they used aggressively against the Chinese.

5. What was the main weakness of the Western powers’ approach to gaining greater trading rights?

The main weakness was their lack of understanding of Chinese culture and insensitivity to it.

6. Why did Western goods lead to a loss of national pride in China?

It led to China becoming dependent on Western goods, leading to a loss of national identity and damage to its economy.

7. What were the consequences of Western powers gaining greater trading rights in China?

The consequences included increased foreign influence in China, a shift in the balance of trade, and political and economic instability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Western powers managed to gain greater trading rights in China using different approaches, such as peaceful negotiations and the use of force. While their military might was their main strength, they could have been more culturally sensitive in their dealings with China.

The consequences of this increased foreign presence and trade had long-lasting effects on China, leading to a shift in the balance of trade, political and economic instability and long-standing resentment.

It is essential to understand the history of trading relations between China and Western powers so that we can learn from the successes and failures of the past and create better relationships in the future.

Thank you for reading this comprehensive article on how Western powers gained greater trading rights in China. We hope that this article has provided you with valuable insights into this important historical event.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate and up-to-date, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, misuse, or misinterpretation of the information contained herein.