Ib Internal Assessment - the Causes of the Opium War
A: Plan of Investigation
What are the causes of the Opium War which occurred in 1839-1842?
When the Chinese decided to ban the opium trade, wars broke out due to conflicts between China and Britain. The aim of this investigation is to analyze the causes of the first Opium War, as it will cover the circumstances of China through that period, and the condition of China with Britain during the war. The analysis will specify what triggered the Opium War and briefly on the impact behind this important historical event. The research will cover basic and essential points of the War, using various resources and documentations that are creditable, as well as historical documentations written by Chinese officials during the war. Primary background information is also found through books that I’ve chosen, including previously unpublished documents - The collection of official documents from Lin Zexu, edited in 1963; and The Foribidden Game, written by Brian Inglis.
B: Summary of Evidence:
The Qing Dynasty
The early Qing period was perhaps the most prosperous time in Chinese history . The Qing Empire reached its highpoint during the reign of Emperor Quianlong (1736-1795). However, as he grew older, Heshen, a corrupt palace guard, began to influence his decisions. Despite the excess of material wealth received during the Qing period, corruption became a growing factor in the government, as China became a fertile ground for social unrest. In the 1800s, as the powerful Manchu (Qing) dynasty corroded, the government faced many internal rebellions, and European imperialism began to reach Asian empire. The White Lotus Rebellion from 1796 to 1805 is an example of a religious movement led by the White Lotus Society, who wanted to overthrow the corrupt Qing government and restore the native Ming Empire. This rebellion turned into a guerrilla war that led to massive turmoil throughout central China. The weakened Qing Empire strained more with the increasing presence of
What are the causes of the Opium War which occurred in 1839-1842?
When the Chinese decided to ban the opium trade, wars broke out due to conflicts between China and Britain. The aim of this investigation is to analyze the causes of the first Opium War, as it will cover the circumstances of China through that period, and the condition of China with Britain during the war. The analysis will specify what triggered the Opium War and briefly on the impact behind this important historical event. The research will cover basic and essential points of the War, using various resources and documentations that are creditable, as well as historical documentations written by Chinese officials during the war. Primary background information is also found through books that I’ve chosen, including previously unpublished documents - The collection of official documents from Lin Zexu, edited in 1963; and The Foribidden Game, written by Brian Inglis.
B: Summary of Evidence:
The Qing Dynasty
The early Qing period was perhaps the most prosperous time in Chinese history . The Qing Empire reached its highpoint during the reign of Emperor Quianlong (1736-1795). However, as he grew older, Heshen, a corrupt palace guard, began to influence his decisions. Despite the excess of material wealth received during the Qing period, corruption became a growing factor in the government, as China became a fertile ground for social unrest. In the 1800s, as the powerful Manchu (Qing) dynasty corroded, the government faced many internal rebellions, and European imperialism began to reach Asian empire. The White Lotus Rebellion from 1796 to 1805 is an example of a religious movement led by the White Lotus Society, who wanted to overthrow the corrupt Qing government and restore the native Ming Empire. This rebellion turned into a guerrilla war that led to massive turmoil throughout central China. The weakened Qing Empire strained more with the increasing presence of