Question

How did the actions of Britain in the early 1800s change China's foreign relations?

A) China became more isolated.
B) China opened up to foreign trade.
C) China formed alliances with European powers.
D) China declared war on Britain.

Answer 1

OPTION.A

Step-by-step explanation:

The actions of Britain in the early 1800s changed China's foreign relations in a significant way. Britain was interested in expanding its trade with China, but faced resistance from the Chinese imperial government, which had a strict control over the trade through the Canton system¹. Britain resorted to smuggling opium from India to China, which caused a serious social and economic problem in China. When China tried to stop the opium trade, Britain declared war on China, which resulted in the First Opium War (1839-1842)².

The First Opium War ended with the Treaty of Nanjing, which forced China to open five ports to foreign trade, cede Hong Kong to Britain, and pay a large indemnity. This treaty was the first of many unequal treaties that China signed with Western powers in the 19th century, which undermined China's sovereignty and territorial integrity³. China also faced internal rebellions, such as the Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864), which further weakened the Qing dynasty.

China's foreign relations became more complex and challenging after the actions of Britain in the early 1800s. China was not able to isolate itself from the world, but had to deal with the increasing pressure and influence of Western powers, who sought to exploit China's resources and markets. China also had to cope with the rise of Japan, which emerged as a modern and powerful nation after the Meiji Restoration (1868). China fought several wars with Japan, such as the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) and the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), which resulted in China's loss of territory and prestige.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is **A) China became more isolated**. However, this answer is not very accurate, as China did not completely cut off its contact with the outside world, but rather had to open up to foreign trade under unfavorable terms. A more nuanced answer would be that China's foreign relations became more unequal and hostile after the actions of Britain in the early 1800s.

Answer 2

Britain's actions in the early 1800s forced China to open up to foreign trade and cede territory such as Hong Kong, leading to a series of "Unequal Treaties" and loss of sovereignty (B).

Step-by-step explanation:

The actions of Britain in the early 1800s changed China's foreign relations by compelling China to open up to foreign trade. The Treaty of Nanjing in 1842, which ended the First Opium War, required China to cede Hong Kong to Britain and open five ports to European traders.

Beyond this, Britain established a precedent for other Western powers to impose "Unequal Treaties" upon China with similar demands. The Second Opium War (1856-1860) led to the Treaty of Tianjin and the Convention of Beijing, which forced China to open more ports, allow foreign navigation of rivers, permit foreign access to the interior, and pay indemnities. Such treaties and territorial concessions eroded Chinese sovereignty and led to the establishment of various European, American, and Japanese spheres of influence within China.