World History: Imperialism in China, Opium Wars and Open Door Policy

Between the 17th and 19th century, China had developed a relatively advanced and self-sufficient civilization and did not need to import much of the items. However, there was a great demand of the Chinese items such as Silk, Tea, Spices, and Porcelain in Europe. However, Chinese insisted on barter with Silver for these items. Most of the European powers did not have much of Silver to make payments to China.

Due to high custom duties and a trade imbalance, the Europeans stared searching for something which could replace silver to trade with China. Their search ended with Opium, the highly addictive drug which British produced in India. The British exported opium to Chinese and made them addicted to it. Henceforth, Chinese willingly traded silk, tea and other items for Opium.

However, the Qing Government in China soon recognized the harm of opium and attempted to ban its trade. British would not let this happen, so they resorted to a form of intimidation called Gunboat Diplomacy.

Gunboat Diplomacy

Gunboat diplomacy refers to accomplishing foreign policy aims through an impressive show of naval power backed up by the threat of war. Basically, it’s pure intimidation. Gunboat diplomacy was characteristic of British imperialism in China.

The Opium Wars

To curb opium use, the Qing government confiscated 20,000 cases of British opium and destroyed it in 1838. This sparked the first Opium war, fought between China and Britain in 1839-1842. British easily defeated the Chinese and forced upon them a humiliating treat called Treaty of Nanking. As per this treaty, China ceded control of Hong Kong to Britain; opened up five trade ports and made payments of reparations to British. Since China did not get anything substantial in return, this treaty was called “unequal” and thus could not last longer. On the other hand, British grew greedier and demanded more concessions. They demanded that all of China should be opened to trade and trade of opium should be full legalized.

The difference grew and triggered the Second Opium War (1856-1860). In this war also British won and forced another humiliating treaty in Chinese called Treaty of Tientsin. This treaty opened additional ports for trade, removed restrictions on activities of Christian missionaries, legalized the use of opium, and granted foreigners permission to travel freely throughout China.

Open Door Policy

After losing two Opium wars to British, the Chinese also lost a war to Japan in 1895. By the end of 19th century, it appeared that China would be partitioned and colonized by imperialist powers such as France, Britain, Japan and Russia. However, United States did not want this to happen. United States not only wanted equal rights of trade with China but also recognized the benefit of an independent China. Thus, United States proposed the so called Open Door Policy with China.

It proposed:

• Keeping China open to trade with all countries on an equal basis.
• China was permitted to collect tariffs and engage in open and equal trade.

Outcome of Open Door Policy

This policy was outlined by US Secretary of State John Hay and was principally in place between the late 19th and early 20th century. However, it was just a principle, never formally adopted via treaty or international law. This is why; it is also called a “Pseudo-treaty”. All European powers accepted it in principle but it was never an official / written agreement. Open Door Policy arguably allowed China to remain an independent country and saved it from imperialistic powers taking over.

China’s view on Open Door Policy and Boxer Rebellion

However, China maintains that neither it’s Government nor its Citizens were involved in deciding what was good for China. Due to this, the Chinese scholars regard this policy as an offensive gesture of US. They argue that US imposed it on them without even consulting them. This policy created more resentment towards foreigners in China. This also trigged a uprising called Boxer Rebellion in northern China in 1900, in which 300 foreigners and Chinese Christians were murdered.

Fearful that other countries would use the Boxer Rebellion as an opportunity to declare war, the United States responded pre-emptively. This time, Secretary of State Hay issued another ‘note’ to European countries, in which he reaffirmed that China should be open. Only this time, the note hinted at American willingness to use force to maintain that openness in China.