Treaty of Aigun

Definition

The Treaty of Aigun was a treaty signed in 1858 between the Qing Dynasty of China and the Russian Empire, marking a significant shift in territorial boundaries and establishing Russian control over certain areas in Northeast Asia. This treaty was part of a series of agreements that illustrated the growing impact of Western imperialism on China, as foreign powers exerted their influence and negotiated terms that often favored their interests at the expense of China's sovereignty.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Treaty of Aigun was one of the first treaties to officially define territorial boundaries between China and Russia, leading to significant territorial losses for China.
2. Under this treaty, China ceded land north of the Heilong (Amur) River to Russia, which included parts of modern-day Heilongjiang province.
3. The treaty was part of a larger context where China was increasingly forced into making concessions to foreign powers due to military defeats.
4. The signing took place under duress, as Russian forces had advanced into Chinese territory during conflicts in the region.
5. The Treaty of Aigun set a precedent for future unequal treaties, influencing how foreign powers interacted with China throughout the 19th century.

Review Questions

• How did the Treaty of Aigun reflect the broader patterns of Western imperialism in China during the 19th century?
  • The Treaty of Aigun exemplified Western imperialism in China by highlighting how foreign powers were able to impose their will on a weakened Qing Dynasty. The treaty resulted from military pressure from Russia, showcasing how imperialist nations exploited China's vulnerabilities following defeats in conflicts. This pattern repeated with other treaties that not only redrew China's borders but also limited its sovereignty and rights in dealing with foreign nations.
• In what ways did the Treaty of Aigun impact China's territorial integrity and relations with Russia?
  • The Treaty of Aigun severely impacted China's territorial integrity by ceding significant land to Russia, altering the map of Northeast Asia. This loss not only diminished China's control over its northern territories but also set a precedent for further encroachments by other foreign powers. Relations with Russia became complicated as this treaty established a new geopolitical reality, forcing China to navigate its diplomacy under increased pressure from multiple foreign influences.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the Treaty of Aigun for China's position in global politics during subsequent decades.
  • The long-term consequences of the Treaty of Aigun were profound for China's position in global politics. It contributed to a series of unequal treaties that eroded China's sovereignty and facilitated foreign exploitation of its resources and markets. The territorial concessions led to rising nationalism within China, ultimately fostering resistance movements against foreign intervention. This historical backdrop set the stage for later reforms and revolutions as China sought to reclaim its autonomy and redefine its role on the world stage amid increasing imperial competition.

Related terms

Treaty of Nanking:

The Treaty of Nanking was the first of the unequal treaties signed in 1842 between China and Britain, which ended the First Opium War and ceded Hong Kong to British control.

Unequal Treaties:

Unequal Treaties refer to a series of treaties imposed on China by foreign powers during the 19th and early 20th centuries, which granted extraterritorial rights and favored trade terms to the foreign countries involved.

Sino-Russian Border Agreement: The Sino-Russian Border Agreement was a later agreement that further defined the border between China and Russia, succeeding the Treaty of Aigun and addressing territorial disputes.