Analyze the effect of the treaty of Nanking on the Qing dynasty using the timeline. What happened to the Qing dynasty after the treaty of Nanking

Answer 1

The Treaty of Nanking, signed in 1842, ended the First Opium War between China and Britain. This treaty had significant implications for the Qing dynasty, which ruled China at that time.

Before the treaty:
- In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, China was ruled by the Qing dynasty, which was facing internal turmoil and pressure from external powers.
- The Qing government's attempts to control the opium trade, which was largely conducted by the British, created tensions leading to the Opium Wars.
- Chinese military forces were unable to effectively resist British military advancements, resulting in several defeats.

After the treaty:
- China had to cede Hong Kong to Britain, which became a British colony until its return to China in 1997. This loss of territory weakened the Qing dynasty's sovereignty and control over its territory.
- The treaty forced China to pay a large indemnity to Britain, making the Qing government financially strained.
- Several ports, referred to as treaty ports, were opened to international trade, exposing China's economy to foreign influence and competition.
- Extraterritoriality was granted to foreign citizens, meaning that they were subject to their own laws rather than the Chinese legal system. This undermined the authority of the Qing dynasty and weakened its rule.
- The treaty also resulted in the signing of similar unfair treaties with other foreign powers, such as the United States and France, thus further weakening the Qing dynasty's control over its territory.
- The treaty contributed to a growing resentment against the Qing dynasty within China, as it was seen as a sign of the government's weakness and inability to protect Chinese interests.

Overall, the Treaty of Nanking had several significant effects on the Qing dynasty, including territorial losses, financial strain, weakening of sovereignty, exposure to foreign influence, and internal discontent. These factors played a part in further weakening the Qing dynasty's hold on power and contributed to the eventual downfall of the dynasty in 1912.