The Century of Humiliation: China over the 19th century
Below is a map of China through different dynasties. Take some time to explore how China's boundaries have changed over the years and get and idea of how China looked during the dynamic 19th century.
Below is a short summary of the different sections of our site. Feel free to navigate
through the top menu, or by simply clicking on each picture.
through the top menu, or by simply clicking on each picture.
Life & Culture
With an overwhelming population at hand and limited land and resources, China began to face major problems as it headed into the 19th century. The Chinese attempted to hold on to tradition and turn a blind eye to the intricacies of the rest of a world. However, such decisions were costly, and China soon found itself under the influence of many other countries. Click on the image below to learn about the common people of the time and how foreign influence affected the Chinese in this period of tension and continuous change.
![]() The Qing Dynasty Cixi Imperial Dowager Empress of China On Throne Sedan With Palace Enuches
by Unknown, used under Public Domain |
EconomicsThe Chinese economy dealt with multiple struggles throughout the 19th century that ultimately played a role in the end of the dynastic rule. Foreign difficulties, natural disasters, and internal rebellions against the Chinese government all were factors that turned a once dominant economic system into a system that needed to be revamped in order to survive in its current world.
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GovernmentThe 19th Century held much strain for the China. The Qing Dynasty was the last Dynasty ever to exist in Chinese history. One generation passed power to another and they struggled to hold on to their power as they moved along the dynastic cycle. Click the picture below to learn more about Chinese government in this time period.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和殿) at the centre of the Forbidden City. [photograph].
by Rabs003, Used under Creative Commons. |
Wars & Rebellions
During the 19th Century, China fought in many battles, wars, and in turn signed many treaties. Most of these wars were lost by China, but this in turn helped them grow as a nation, as they moved from solely traditional Chinese culture, to a more modern China. Click the picture to learn more on this subject.
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References:
China Map: L'Empire Chinois et du Japon by Conrad Malte-Brun, image is in the Public Domain.
Background picture at the top: Birds and Flowers by Kano Eitoku, image is in the Public Domain.
19th Century China title by Kurt Corsbie used under Public Domain.
Background picture at the top: Birds and Flowers by Kano Eitoku, image is in the Public Domain.
19th Century China title by Kurt Corsbie used under Public Domain.
Rabs003. (2008). The Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和殿) at the centre of the Forbidden City. [photograph]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_City#mediaviewer/File:Forbidden_City_Courtyard.jpg. Image is in Creative Commons.
Mailer diablo. (2005). Traditional Chinese medicine shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ChineseMedicine-HK.JPG. Image is used under ShareAlike.
Pixelflake. (2012). A (HDR-) photograph shot from the Jingshan Park (aka Coal Hill or Prospect Hill). [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Forbidden_City_-_View_from_Coal_Hill.jpg. Image is in the Public Domain.
Unknown. (before 1908). The Qing Dynasty Cixi Imperial Dowager Empress of China On Throne Sedan With Palace Enuches. [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://commons. wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Qing_Dynasty_Cixi_Imperial_Dowager_ Empress_of_China_On_Throne_Sedan_With_Palace_Enuches.PNG. Image is in the Public Domain.
Anonymous (1900). Siege of Peking, Boxer Rebellion. [Painting]. Retrieved from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Siege_of_Peking%2C_Boxer_Rebellion.jpg. Image is in the Public Domain.
Mailer diablo. (2005). Traditional Chinese medicine shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ChineseMedicine-HK.JPG. Image is used under ShareAlike.
Pixelflake. (2012). A (HDR-) photograph shot from the Jingshan Park (aka Coal Hill or Prospect Hill). [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Forbidden_City_-_View_from_Coal_Hill.jpg. Image is in the Public Domain.
Unknown. (before 1908). The Qing Dynasty Cixi Imperial Dowager Empress of China On Throne Sedan With Palace Enuches. [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://commons. wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Qing_Dynasty_Cixi_Imperial_Dowager_ Empress_of_China_On_Throne_Sedan_With_Palace_Enuches.PNG. Image is in the Public Domain.
Anonymous (1900). Siege of Peking, Boxer Rebellion. [Painting]. Retrieved from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Siege_of_Peking%2C_Boxer_Rebellion.jpg. Image is in the Public Domain.