Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
Isolationism is the policy of abstaining from political or economic involvement in the affairs of other countries. It is a foreign policy strategy that aims to minimize a country's involvement in international relations, particularly in regard to military conflict or economic competition.
The Chinese had an isolationist policy prior to the British attempts to open China for a few reasons. One reason was that the Chinese believed that their culture and way of life were superior to that of other countries, and therefore saw little need to engage with or learn from other civilizations. The Chinese also had a long history of being invaded and conquered by foreign powers, and as a result, they developed a strong sense of self-reliance and a desire to protect their own borders and sovereignty.
In addition, the Chinese had a well-developed system of government and society that they believed was functioning well and saw little need to adopt the practices or institutions of other countries. This contributed to their reluctance to engage with foreign powers and their preference for isolationism.
Overall, the Chinese isolationist policy was motivated by a combination of cultural superiority, self-reliance, and a desire to protect their borders and sovereignty from foreign influence.