Convention of Peking

Definition

The Convention of Peking, signed in 1860, was a treaty that concluded the Second Opium War between the Qing Dynasty of China and Britain and France. This agreement solidified the concessions made by China to foreign powers, including territorial losses and the legalization of opium trade, which had significant implications for China's sovereignty and foreign relations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Convention of Peking resulted in China ceding the territory of Kowloon to Britain and allowing for the establishment of additional foreign legations in Beijing.
2. The treaty legalized the opium trade, exacerbating an already critical social issue in China and highlighting the country's inability to control foreign influence.
3. It marked a significant point in the history of Chinese imperial decline, as it symbolized the loss of sovereignty and an increase in foreign control over Chinese affairs.
4. The Convention of Peking also stipulated that foreign vessels could navigate the Yangtze River freely, opening up further economic exploitation of China's inland resources.
5. The treaty was part of a larger pattern of unequal treaties that diminished China's power and led to widespread resentment among the Chinese population against foreign encroachment.

Review Questions

• What were the immediate consequences of the Convention of Peking for China’s territorial integrity and sovereignty?
  • The Convention of Peking had severe immediate consequences for China's territorial integrity and sovereignty. It resulted in China ceding Kowloon to Britain, which represented a significant loss of territory. Additionally, it legalized the opium trade, leading to further erosion of Chinese authority. This treaty exemplified how foreign powers exploited China's weaknesses during this period, demonstrating a clear decline in China's control over its own borders and internal affairs.
• How did the terms established in the Convention of Peking reflect broader themes related to imperialism and foreign intervention in 19th-century China?
  • The terms established in the Convention of Peking are a clear reflection of broader themes related to imperialism and foreign intervention during the 19th century. The treaty exemplified how Western powers used military force to impose unequal treaties on China, undermining its sovereignty and authority. It legalized practices like opium trade that were detrimental to Chinese society while allowing foreigners greater access to its markets and territories, highlighting the exploitative nature of imperialist policies at that time.
• Evaluate how the Convention of Peking contributed to long-term changes in China's relationship with foreign powers and internal dynamics within China.
  • The Convention of Peking played a pivotal role in reshaping China's long-term relationship with foreign powers and its internal dynamics. By legitimizing territorial concessions and foreign economic control, it deepened China's dependence on Western nations, leading to a sense of humiliation that fueled nationalist sentiments. The growing resentment among Chinese citizens towards foreign influence laid groundwork for future movements aimed at reclaiming sovereignty and reforming governance. This shift would ultimately contribute to significant events like the Boxer Rebellion and later revolutions aimed at ending imperial rule.

Related terms

Second Opium War: A conflict fought between China and Western powers from 1856 to 1860, primarily over trade rights, including the opium trade, and diplomatic recognition.

Treaty of Nanking: The treaty that ended the First Opium War in 1842, which forced China to cede Hong Kong to Britain and establish a series of treaty ports.

Unequal Treaties: A term used to describe a series of treaties imposed on China by foreign powers in the 19th century that favored the interests of those powers at China's expense.