Question

Why didn’t China grant trading rights to the British?

The British wouldn’t kowtow.
British goods were inferior.
British goods were not unique.
The British were too wealthy.

Answer 1

Answer:

(A) The British wouldn't kowtow.

The kowtow is a ritual bowing which shows submission to a stronger power and represents respect to that power. Great Britain wanted to open trade with China as it was the main mission of exploration in the 15th century.

Answer 2

(A) The British wouldn’t kowtow.

In East Asia, the Chinese were the big power upon European arrival. The Chinese used a protectorate system for trade in which the small Asian countries, Korea and Japan in particular, would bow to China in exchange for protection and trade. This bow was literal as representatives were required to kowtow in front of the Chinese Emperor. The kowtow is a ritual bowing which shows submission to a stronger power and represents respect to that power.

Great Britain wanted to open trade with China as it was the main mission of exploration in the 15th century. They hoped to gain access to the valuable goods China provided along the Silk Road but not pay the high prices they had trading through the Ottomans. As with all of China's trade partners, they expected a sign of respect shown to the emperor before trade could begin. The British traveling group, envoy, were asked to bow in front of the emperor to seal the deal. The envoy refused as they could only bow to their own king. This refusal got Britain thrown out of China (for the time) to trade.