1.1

• What is the largest country in Asia?

  China
• What natural resources was China producing at the beginning of the 20th century?

  Tea, sugar, silk, and opium
• How could resources be moved around China?

  Using China's natural rivers
• Why was China attractive to outside powers in the early 20th century?

  Its wealth made it attractive for exploitation
• By the early 20th century, what was China still one of the world's largest producers of?

  Manufactured goods
• What enabled many cities in China to develop during the early 20th century?

  Growing trade
• Which city became a major port for the import and export of goods in China?

  Shanghai
• Since when had China been ruled by an emperor?

  Since 221 BC
• Where did the emperor live in China?

  In the Forbidden City in Beijing
• What did the Mandate of Heaven signify for the emperor?

  It meant he had the authority to rule
• How many subjects did the emperor rule over by 1900?

  300 million
• What were the four main ethnic groups in China by 1900?

  Han, Manchu, Mongol, Tibetan
• What percentage of the population did the Han ethnic group form?

  90 percent
• Who ruled China despite the Han being the majority population?

  The Manchu
• Where did the Manchu come from?

  Manchuria in the northeast
• What did the Manchu bring into the empire when they took control of China?

  Manchuria
• What was the impact of Confucius' teachings on the imperial system in China?

  • Development of a strict class structure
  • Emphasis on obedience and acceptance of social positions
  • Supported the unquestioned authority of the emperor
• Who conducted the business of government in China?

  The Mandarins
• What did the Mandarins study to gain advantages and rights?

  Examinations based on Confucius' works
• What was the role of the Mandarins in relation to change?

  They worked to prevent change
• What was the status of most of the population in China?

  Most were peasants with few rights
• What was the status of women in China during this period?

  They were the property of their fathers and husbands
• How were marriages arranged in China?

  Marriages were arranged and a 'bride-price' had to be paid
• How were women treated in terms of rights during this period?

  They had the least rights and were often bought and sold
• What are the key features of the imperial system in China during the early 20th century?

  • Ruled by an emperor with the Mandate of Heaven
  • Strict class structure influenced by Confucian philosophy
  • Mandarins as government officials with advantages
  • Majority of the population were peasants with few rights
  • Women had the least rights and were treated as property
• Why was foot binding practiced in China?

  Because small feet were more attractive to potential husbands
• At what ages did foot binding usually start for girls?

  Between the ages of 4 and 9 years
• What was the method used in foot binding?

  The toes were bent under each foot and squeezed tightly in bandages
• What were the consequences of foot binding for women?

  It left women with lifelong disabilities
• What health risks were associated with foot binding?

  Some girls caught infections and died
• What was happening to the emperor's power by the early 20th century?

  The emperor was beginning to lose the Mandate of Heaven
• What external factors contributed to the decline of the emperor's authority?

  China was repeatedly humiliated by foreign powers
• What significant event contributed to Britain's wealth in China?

  The opium trade and victory in the opium wars
• What country defeated China in war in 1894?

  Japan
• What territory did Japan take control of after defeating China?

  Korea
• Which country seized territory in the south of China?

  France
• What did the events of the early 20th century reveal about the emperor's power?

  They revealed weaknesses in the power of the emperor
• How did the authority of the emperor change during this period?

  His authority had declined significantly