History: China 1796 to the present – Fall of the Qing – 1796-1912 (Part 1)

This first part of two courses on modern Chinese history concentrates on China’s decline in the 19th century up to the founding of the First Republic in 1912. In 1796, the Qing ruled a third of the world's population, and the largest economy in the world. We consider the defeat by the British Empire in the First Opium War (1840) led to Hong Kong being ceded to Britain and importation of opium. We study the Taiping Rebellion, the Punti–Hakka Clan Wars, Nian Rebellion, Dungan Revolt, and Panthay Rebellion and their collective impact. We examine the Tongzhi Restoration (1860–1872), and its adoption of Western methods. The defeat o in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895) and the formation of the New Army are discussed along with the Hundred Days' Reform programme (1898). Finally, we discuss the Boxer Uprising of 1900 and the Wuchang uprising, of 1911, which resulted in the proclamation of the Republic of China, 1st January 1912, ending 2,000 years of dynastic rule. Woven throughout will be consideration of political, social, cultural and economic themes. Throughout we study documentary sources, art, literature, philosophy and historical analysis as we read, talk, question and listen.