Treaty of Beijing

Definition

The Treaty of Beijing, signed in 1860, was an agreement between the Qing Dynasty of China and the United Kingdom and France, concluding the Second Opium War. This treaty marked a significant moment in the history of Western imperialism in China, as it imposed several concessions and territorial losses on China, further opening the country to foreign influence and trade while diminishing its sovereignty.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Treaty of Beijing resulted in China ceding the Kowloon Peninsula to Britain and granting Russia access to areas in northern China.
2. It established a precedent for foreign powers to demand similar concessions from China, contributing to a pattern of unequal treaties during this period.
3. The treaty allowed for the establishment of more foreign legations in Beijing, increasing foreign influence within the Chinese capital.
4. It expanded opium trade rights and legalized the trade of opium, which had devastating social and economic impacts on Chinese society.
5. The Treaty of Beijing exemplified the broader consequences of Western imperialism, as it severely undermined China's political autonomy and territorial integrity.

Review Questions

• What were the key provisions of the Treaty of Beijing, and how did they reflect the broader impact of Western imperialism on China?
  • The key provisions of the Treaty of Beijing included territorial concessions such as the cession of the Kowloon Peninsula to Britain and allowances for foreign legations in Beijing. These terms exemplified Western imperialism's impact by further eroding China's sovereignty and facilitating foreign control over its trade and territory. This treaty illustrated how China was forced into unequal agreements that diminished its power on the global stage, reflecting a trend seen throughout the era of imperialism.
• How did the Treaty of Beijing build upon the terms established in earlier agreements such as the Nanjing Treaty?
  • The Treaty of Beijing built upon earlier agreements like the Nanjing Treaty by expanding on the concept of unequal treaties that favored foreign powers at China's expense. While the Nanjing Treaty ended the First Opium War with significant concessions for Britain, the Treaty of Beijing further entrenched foreign influence by adding more territorial losses and legalizing opium trade. This continuity demonstrated an ongoing pattern where each subsequent treaty forced more concessions from China, highlighting the aggressive nature of Western imperialism during this time.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of the Treaty of Beijing on China's sovereignty and its relationship with foreign powers in subsequent years.
  • The long-term implications of the Treaty of Beijing were profound, as it set a precedent for ongoing foreign intervention in China's affairs. By surrendering territory and legalizing foreign trade practices detrimental to its economy, China found itself increasingly under external control. The treaty contributed to a legacy of humiliation and resentment towards foreign powers among Chinese citizens, which would later fuel nationalist movements seeking to reclaim sovereignty. In subsequent years, these tensions would lead to significant upheaval within China, as reformist and revolutionary sentiments grew against a backdrop of continued imperialist exploitation.

Related terms

Second Opium War:

A conflict from 1856 to 1860 between China and Western powers, primarily Britain and France, over trade rights and diplomatic relations, leading to significant territorial and economic concessions by China.

Nanjing Treaty: The treaty that ended the First Opium War in 1842, which forced China to cede Hong Kong to Britain and open several ports to British trade, setting a precedent for future treaties.

Unequal Treaties:

A series of treaties imposed on China by Western powers during the 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by concessions that heavily favored foreign interests at the expense of Chinese sovereignty.