Second Opium War (Arrow War) (1 jan 1856 ano – 1 jan 1860 ano)
Descrição:
Background/Development:
After the first opium war, trade shifted from Canton to Shanghai because of its closer proximity for tea and silk trade. The west wanted to move further inland for trade beyond the treaty ports. In 1856, the Arrow, a British owned ship operated by Chinese merchants was seized and the crew was arrested. The British government called that the ship was under British extraterritoriality and demanded an apology and the release of the crew which was refused. After the event, British ships fired upon the city; later, the French joined in a joint expedition after a French missionary was killed.
In 1858, the Tianjin Treaty called for a resident ministry to be established in Beijing, an opening of further treaty ports, grant foreigners travel permits to inland China, and further indemnity. In the same year the Shanghai Tariff Conference took place which set a fixed tariff in favor of Britain.
Fighting continued and the Anglo-French forces destroyed the summer palace while the emperor fled Beijing, leaving Prince Gong to conduct peace negotiations. He signed on to the Beijing convention in 1860 with mediation of Russia. The contents of the 1858 Tianjin treaty were adopted under this conference and in addition, Russia had a supplementary treaty which allowed them some territorial concessions and further trade access.
Implications:
The Opium wars further opened up China to trade with the west. They also were the catalyst for mass migration of overseas Chinese to leave China. Chinese peasants, under the stress of the economy from the price of silver in addition to natural disasters which worsened agricultural production were forced to move to the cities or overseas in order to make a living. The wars also solidified the west as a maritime power, power which China has previously underestimated and would lead to self-reform in order to match western power.
Adicionado na linha do tempo:
Modern History of East Asia
Study Guide for Final
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