Weekly Reflection 6

       In Chapter 19, it mentions the how the empire end around the world.. Here I have emphasized talk about the Dynasty Qing in China. 

       In late phase of Qing, China faced unprecedented turmoil, the most famous event would be Opium War. In 1839 to 1842, Qing and British had a war because of the merchant sell opium openly on coastal area of Guangdong (a south province of China). The blasting fuse of war is the  destruction of opium at Humen. Emperor Daoguang had order to Lin Zhexu destroy thousand boxes and packages of opium in a mouth. Non-related merchants and foreigners agreed and support this move. But after  destruction of opium at Humen, Emperor Daoguang decided abolish any commerce relationship with British. British had a war to China for totally open the gate of trading of China. Eventually, Qing became the loser and sign the unequal document Treaty of Nanking. Document includes open five wharfs for commerce, ceded the Hong Kong Island and have huge sum of compensation to British. Opium War is the first war of western countries have invasion to China, and it is symbol of beginning of modern history.

After the First Sino-Japanese War, some intellectuals understand that if lead China prosperous again, Qing must use western thought and institution as reference. On one side, intellectuals combine the theories and knowledge of west and China, and they renew the traditional value to expand the modern meaning of it by western value and concept. On the other side, some scholar had critic on the old pedantry concepts or manners. They wished to western advance thoughts could play the role of its original spirit and claimed that minimize the monarchical power. Most of advanced intellectuals advocated relevance of the personal autonomously, freedom and equality.

In 1912,the last emperor of Qing --Xuantong Emperor Puyi formally abdicated. Dynasty ended the over 300 years ruling, and Republic of China built up.