Responses+to+Imperialism

Responses to Imperialism
==== The response of Chinese citizens to European imperialism was overwhelmingly negative. The main cause of this was the lack of respect that the Chinese held for Western values and way of life. Chinese citizens felt reluctant to adopt any part of British customs or culture. The main reason for British occupation was the effort to obtain the drug opium, a substance that was widly becoming popular in England and all of Europe. Struggles in acquiring the drug to meet the rising demand in the west eventually sparked two conflicts known now as The Opium Wars. ==== ==== The Chinese were able to resist offers from the west because of their self-sufficiency, but when European nations as well as the U.S. called for an "Open Door Policy," areas of China became influenced by the foreign powers occupying them. After years of occupation by western nations, Chinese nationalists began a struggle to free themselves from economic control by the "foreign devils." This uprising of Chinese citizens was known as the "Boxer Rebellion." One of the main targets of this revolt were the Chinese citizens that had adopted a Christian faith from the occupying Europeans. The group often practiced a form of boxing, as well as certain rituals. These customs led them to believe that they were impervious to all forms of harm, including gunfire. By 1899, Boxers were freely assulting Chinese converts without penelty from the government. Missionaries also became a primary target, along with Ministers of many different European countries. ====

[[image:http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/10/08/article-1318545-0B85E768000005DC-45_468x412.jpg width="468" height="412"]]
(Above) This is a picture of an opium plant. (Below) This Picture is depicting the increase of demand for opium in the UK

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