Treaty of Nanking 1842
Also called: Treaty of Nanjing · Topic: Paths to Modernisation: Japan, China, Korea · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Treaty of Nanking (also called the Treaty of Nanjing) ended the First Opium War between Britain and Qing China in 1842. It was the first of the "unequal treaties". These were agreements forced on a defeated China that gave foreigners rights without giving China equal rights in return. The treaty began China's slide into becoming a semi-colony, where foreign powers chipped away at its freedom to rule itself.
Example
Under the treaty, China gave Hong Kong Island to Britain. It opened five treaty ports to British trade: Canton, Amoy, Foochow, Ningpo and Shanghai. China also paid Britain a large sum of money as a penalty (an indemnity).
Don't confuse with
- Treaty of Shimonoseki (1895): it ended China's war with Japan in 1894–95, and China gave Taiwan to Japan. The Treaty of Nanking was with Britain and gave away Hong Kong.
Related concepts
- Qing dynasty
- Triangular trade
- Opium Wars
- Semi-colony
- Taiping Rebellion
- Self-Strengthening Movement
- Hundred Days' Reform 1898
- Kang Youwei
- Liang Qichao
- Boxer Rebellion