Modern History of China

Modern History

In the 16th century, the Ming Dynasty proceeded to decline. I have no information on the development of Shanghai. In the early 16th century, few events are noted, but in the early-mid 16th century, the Portuguese made contact with China. In the mid 16th century, the Portuguese settlement of Macao was founded. In the late-mid 16th century, few additional events are noted, but in the late 16th Century, there was conflict with Japan over Korea, in which the Japanese were defeated, but the Chinese were weakened.

In the 17th century, there was some change. I have no details about the city of Shanghai. In the early 17th century the Ming dynasty contined to decline. In the early mid 17th century, the Ming dynasty continued to decline. In the mid 17th century, (1644) the Manchus overthrew the Ming dynasty and established the Qing dynasty. In the late-mid 17th century, the ablest of the Qing emperors came to power, and the empire continued to grow. In the late 17th century, they established a boundary with Russia and the mongols were confined to a limited area between Russia and China. Western missionaries and traders were accepted as visitors, but not given a great deal of freedom to operate.

During the 18th century, this empire reached its height and then began to decline. In the early 18th century, the Chinese invaded and conquered Tibet. In the early-mid 18th century, the empire was strong and prosperous, and continued so in the mid 18th century, and late mid 18th century. I do not yet have details of the early 1760s, late 1760s, early 1770s, or late 1770s. However, in the late 18th century, rebellions began to arise. I do not yet have details of the early 1780s, late 1780s, early 1790s, or late 1790s.

19th century

In the early 19th century there was a continuing influx of western traders and missionaries. I do not yet have details of the early 1800s, late 1800s, early 1810s, or late 1810s. In the early-mid i9th century, the British especially imported opuim into China, against the opposition of the Imperial government. I do not yet have details of the early 1820s, late 1820s, early 1830s, or late 1830s. Beginning in the mid 19th century, the British defeated imperial forces in the First Opium war and forced it to accept the British policy. This evident weakness of the imperial government encouraged the Taiping rebellion, and while this was going on, the British again defeated the Chinese in the Second Opium war and forced humiliating unequal treaties on the Chinese. I do not yet have details of the early 1840s, late 1840s, early 1850s, or late 1850s. In the late-mid 19th century, the Taiping rebellion was supressed, but central government was sufficiently weakened that local warlords began to assume a great deal of autonomy. I do not yet have details of the early 1860s, late 1860s, early 1870s, or late 1870s. In the late 19th century, the Qing dynasty became progressively weaker. In the early 1880s, China was losing control of areas where it had had influence, as the British were taking control of Burma, the French of Indochina, and the Japanese of Korea. In the late 1880s, these conquests were nearly completed. China's first railroad was built. In the early 1890s, China went to war with Japan and was defeated in the Sino-Japanese war, and Sun Yat-sen began organizing associations in order to overthrow the Imperial government. In the late 1890s, Attempts to modernize and reform Chinese government and technology were resisted, China was nearly partitioned by European powers. The century ended with the beginning of the Boxer Rebellion, an anti-Manchu and anti-foreign rebellion.

20th century

Events of North Central China, South Central China, Southern Coastal China, and Southern Interior China can be considered. The early 20th century, early mid 20th century, mid 20th century, late mid 20th century, late 20th century, and early 21st century can be connected.