The Treaty of Nanking: Key Facts, Impact, and Aftermath of the Turning Point in China’s Modern History

Treaty of Nanking

Treaty that concluded the Opium War. It awarded Britain a large indemnity from the Qing Empire, denied the Qing government tariff control over some of its own borders, opened additional ports of residence to Britons, and ceded Hong Kong to Britain.

The Treaty of Nanking was signed on August 29, 1842, between the British and the Qing dynasty of China. The treaty was signed after the First Opium War and it is considered a major turning point in the modern history of China. Here are some key facts about the Treaty of Nanking:

1. Background: The First Opium War (1839-1842) was fought between the British Empire and the Qing dynasty of China. The war was caused by the tensions between China’s stance against the opium trade and British commercial interests in exporting opium into China.

2. Terms of the Treaty: The Treaty of Nanking consisted of 13 articles. Some of the key terms of the treaty include:

– China had to pay an indemnity of 21 million silver dollars to Britain.
– Hong Kong was ceded to Britain, and became a British colony.
– British citizens in China were given extraterritoriality, meaning they would be tried by British courts rather than Chinese courts.
– China had to open up five treaty ports (Shanghai, Xiamen, Ningbo, Fuzhou, and Guangzhou) for British trade and residence.

3. Impact: The Treaty of Nanking was a significant event in the history of China. It ended the First Opium War and established Chinese concessions to foreign powers. The treaty was a clear demonstration of China’s vulnerability to foreign powers and was seen as a “unequal treaty” by many Chinese.

4. Aftermath: The Treaty of Nanking was followed by a series of further treaties known as the “Unequal Treaties” between China and foreign powers. These treaties led to the opening up of more treaty ports, the establishment of extraterritoriality for foreigners, and greater foreign influence in China, contributing to the weakening of the Qing dynasty and the rise of nationalism and anti-foreign sentiments in China.

In summary, the Treaty of Nanking was a significant event that altered the course of Chinese history. It was an unequal treaty that established Chinese concessions to foreign powers and had long-lasting impacts on China’s relationship with the world.

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