Why did the power of Chinese emperor weakend during the 19th century
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Explanation:MARK AS BRAINELIST ✨
I think enough has been said on the many reasons why China was so weak during the 19th century and early 20th century. I would just like to look at the question from another angle: a comparison between China and Japan during this period: their national conditions, and their attitude and approach towards tackling their national problems.
At the beginning, both China and Japan were isolated before western powers came, both looked down on other cultures and wanted to preserve their culture. Before 1839, when Britain sent gunboats up the Yangtze River to compel China‟s rulers to open their ports and markets to the opium trade, at the beginning of what came to be known as the First Opium War that took place in 1840, the British suffered a great trading imbalance with China. And therefore they tried to convince the Qing emperor to open up trade, by bringing gifts to the emperor in the 19th century, like clocks, a hot air balloon, globes, and musical instruments, some of which are still displayed in the Forbidden City Museum today. But the emperor was not impressed. And hence the hard push for opium trade in China resulting in the First Opium War in 1840. China was trashed and the rest is history.
At about the same time, westerners also forced open the doors of Japan for trade. But it was the Americans who did this. Matthew Perry, a Commodore of the United States Navy, was sent by President Fillmore to Japan to demand the opening of two ports, in a kind of gun-boat diplomacy, with the resulting signing of the Convention of Kanagawa in 1854 with the Tokugawa shogun. This angered the Japanese people who thought the shogun was too weak. They decided to support the young emperor, Mutsuhito. He embarked on the modernization of Japan in what came to be known as the Meiji Restoration.
China became weak and fell behind the technology race because poor leadership. Its emperors were more concerned with maintaining internal control, and didn't realize the significance of the west innovations. Even after a rude awakening from losing the Opium Wars, it still failed to changed quickly in late 1800s due to politics and an awful empress.
Chinese population rapidly increased "between 1749 and 1811 during the Qing dynasty when the country's population doubled from 177,495,000 to 358,610,000." Issues and Trends in China's Demographic History
There were many more mouths to feed and not enough land. Rebellions, unrest and corruption drained the nation's treasury as the government tried hard to suppress its population. Trade at first with western countries such as Britain was lucrative for China until opium was later introduced. China then tried to shut down the narcotic trade by force while underestimating the capabilities & the reaction of Britian.
The British Empire at that time had became very proficient in the art of war and conquering, having fought in the early half of 1800s against France, America, India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and more. Its navy was unchallenged, and its constant conflict with other western powers drove its adoption for the latest technology to maintains supremacy .
By the time of the first Opium war, the British was fighting with steam ships & rifles while the Chinese used wind powered junks (ships) and muskets. More powerful and accurate cannons also helped the invader.
China lost the conflict and was forced to sign unfavorable treaties. Yet despite the demonstration of weakness, many in the government including Empress Dowager Cixi were still wary about fully adopting western ideas and inventions. Court politics drastically slowed modernization.
More rebellions including Taiping which killed 20 million and droughts also significantly weakened the country. By the time of the boxers in early 1900s, China was the sick man of the East, and fell far behind others including the newly modernized Japan.
Lessons include:
1. Stay ahead in the technology race.
2. If you are behind, catch up quickly.
please mark as brainliest❤