the qing dynasty (session 5 w/ clay dube)

[clay dube]

Here are some documents for this session:

The Qianlong Emperor to King George, 1793
http://china.usc.edu/ShowArticle.aspx?articleID=1083

Commission Lin Zexu to Queen Victoria, 1839
http://china.usc.edu/ShowArticle.aspx?articleID=402

Treaty of Nanjing, 1842
http://china.usc.edu/ShowArticle.aspx?articleID=403

Treaty of Shimonoseki, 1895
http://china.usc.edu/ShowArticle.aspx?articleID=404

John Hay, Open Door Note, 1899
http://china.usc.edu/ShowArticle.aspx?articleID=406

[Anonymous]

Great primary source of emperor Qianlong response to King George III. Emperor Quianlog made sure he was quite clear in his response to George III. I can't imagine what the king of England thought of the emperor response. He probably thought the world is going mad, first the Americans revolting and then the Chinese emperor proudly warning not to ask for territory or trading rights. I can see the emperor point of view, nevertheless his arrogance no doubt led to the Chinese downfall.

[Anonymous]

Had the Queen read the letter from Lin Zexu I believed she would had forbidden the sale of opium to China. Europeans had certainly committed many errors to erode a good relationship with China and other Asian nations.

[Anonymous]

After reading the treaty of Nanjing I am not sure queen Victoria did not know the opium trade going on. The treaty read that the British would keep Hong Kong in perpetuity, so why did they give back to the Chinese?

[Anonymous]

The Qing dynasty was running from one problem to the other and after the treaty of Shimonoseki they lost Taiwan. Chinese pride led them to their downfall unlike the Japanese that through the Meiji restoration became an imperialistic nation.

[Anonymous]

The US also jumped on the bandwagon and let the Chinese know that they wanted special trading rights that other European nations had. European and Americans certainly did a lot to undermine a good relationship with China, and later in history it is understandable that the Chinese are suspicious of the West.

[Anonymous]

I did not know that the shaved head with the long queue was a signal of submission. It would be interesting to incorporate hairstyles or clothing into a lecture about China. The art is beautiful. I think my students would really appreciate all types of Asian music, theatre and art. The small piece of carved jade is amazing! I read that an acclaimed novel during this time is Dream of the Red Chamber. I am going to do some research and see if I could consider incorporating this novel into the curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Well,

The letter to King George III from the emperor of China, I found that fabulously amusing! The emperor is telling King George he is a barbarian from a far land and it is to be understood that King George has no clue as to what he is asking and the bad position it is putting the emperor in when th emperor tries to deal fairly with the other foreign emissaries. Sorry, we have enough goods, we don't need to trade, we have seen your religion - seen your goods- no interest, thank you. EVERYONE wants our island and we really don't need or want your gifts... thanks anyway.

A big blowoff --
A kind letter -- considering the emperor obviously thought he was dealing with an ignorant, doltish baffoon.

So how did mad, King George III respond is my question.

The Manchus were obviously fabulous invaders!! Maybe our culture needs to take note and mirror this a bit moe -- keep your culture and share the "good stuff" So many people in our country seem to want everyone to be "just like them." I don't know. It seems very clever.

[Anonymous]

I agree that it's important to help students understand why they need to finish high school and set their goals even higher. I also believe you have to be very sensitive to students who have parents who have not gone to college. The parents are usually their role models. so there is a fine line to walk when trying to entice them to go to college. There are also other factors to think about for a happy life that are not connected to a higher salary. Work satisfaction is important...

[Anonymous]

I to think my students would enjoy learning about how politics change cultural norms. Hence, the Chinese had to cut the hair on their foreheads and wear a long braid in the back. It may be interesting to learn how politics changes Chinese literature. I would like to go beyond art and look at literature. Hopefully, we will do this next week.

[Anonymous]

Emperor Qianlong in his arrogance is concluding he has everything China needs and states to King George he probably wants what they have. The emperor was very direct in his response that he does not want to give the king goods or have his people in his country because King George’s people will not be willing to assimilate to their country. The emperor feels he does not need anything King George has to offer, and the emperor feels sympathy for King George’s ignorance. The arrogance in the letter, I am sure caused huge conflicts between the countries. I am sure this is the first time the king had been spoken to in this manner. I would have loved to have read a response from King George.

[Anonymous]

I am looking forward to reading the treaty tonight. My team teacher and I think we could have students read the treaty without allowing them to know it was over opium. They would form opinions and consequently write a Persuasive Essay. Then we would have them form new opinions after they are given the information that it is based on opium. Just a thought.

[Anonymous]

I had vaguely heard of foot binding but it was interesting to think of it in relation to other forms of beautification. Here in American we have done things to achieve beauty. Things that symbolize status and class. In the south women wear corsets to look more shapely. It was also interesting to have learned that China had a female ruler (per say) who ruled behind the scene. It would be awesome to explore these two topics with my students.

[Anonymous]

The Chinese perception of Tibet and their rationale for claiming it is a view I was not aware of. Also, the Chinese braid as submission is another fact I don't think most students or westerners were aware of. By the way, I really recommend The Last Emperor as a film.

[Anonymous]

ARTICLE VII. 

	It is agreed that the Total amount of Twenty-one Millions of Dollars, described in the three preceding Articles, 
shall be paid as follows:

	Six Millions immediately.

	Six Millions in 1843. That is:NThree Millions on or before the 30th of the month of June, and Three Millions on 
or before the 31St of December.

	Five Millions in 1844. That is:NTwo Millions and a Half on or before the 30th of June, and Two Millions and a half 
on or before the 31St of December.

	Four Millions in 1845. That is:NTwo Millions on or before the 30th of June, and Two Millions on or before the 
31 st of December; and it is further stipulated, that Interest at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum, shall be paid by the 
Government of China on any portions of the above sums that are not punctually discharged at the periods fixed.

I have a question about all of this money - was it ever paid to the British government?

[Author]

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