China In The 19th Century

In the 19th century, China was not acknowledged as a sovereign nation. Instead, other nations elbowed one another for trading privileges and rights to partition China. Even after suggestions of compromise, the country collapsed in anger. Evidently, these nations later had to join forces to stop the rebellion they created. By the end of the 1800s, multiple nations had forced their way into China in hopes of profit for themselves—including the United States. When president McKinley sent American troops to China, he realized that they were “marching shoulder to shoulder with the Germans and Japanese and French and British troops.” All said troops had been forcing involvement with China for some time. These troops also shared the same goal, but for themselves—except the States.

These imperial powers wished “sought spheres of influence.” In other words, they wished to exert significant military, cultural, and economic influence. They believed that with China under their power, they would be set apart from other countries. However, not only did they wish to influence China, but they also worked to claim “extraterritorial rights.” They wanted ‘treaty ports’ like America and Britain used to have. Treaty ports/trading privileges were made through peaceful conclusions, yet these imperial nations won’t settle disputes quietly. No nation wanted to be equal to the other; they just want to be greater. During foreign invasions, China had no choice but to give up their power. They had to “accept wide foreign control over the country’s economic affairs.” China was without a plan. The giant country “had fought to resist foreigners, but it lacked a modernized military and suffered millions of casualties.” However, the Western Powers and Japan did not discourage China to fight back. Even without a military, China was able to enforce