What was the scramble for concessions

The import of foreign goods, especially of machine-made cotton goods and petroleum, rapidly increased between and , detrimentally affecting the livelihood of the peasantry as the domestic, small-scale markets were unable to compete. It was the opening of Tsingtao as a free port which led to this influx of foreign capital and merchandise to the interior. The arrogant behaviour of the Germans in particular, "aroused intense antipathy among farmers, landlords and the gentry of Shandong".

The impact of the foreign financial penetration was markedly significant due to the fact that the peasantry were already experiencing financial distress due to the fiscal crisis of the state. This had arisen from the Treaty of Shimonoseki and the resulting indemnity imposed upon China. Economic resources were already exhausted due to the increased military expenditure during the war; the indemnity tipped the balance and bankruptcy resulted. In order to help cover the debt, large shipping, mining and railway concessions were made to the foreigners.

Although this measure helped to reduce the imminent financial crisis, it caused problems to future development as the foreign powers were able to increase their authority by supervising government revenue. One extremely influential and as yet previously unmentioned factor was the effect of the Christian missionary presence. In missionaries were first permitted to reside and preach in the Chinese interior under treaty protection.

They were the first foreign group to leave the treaty ports and venture into the interior. It was the missionaries and their converts who experienced the most extreme anti-foreign sentiment, although this was primarily due to their harsh treatment of the local populations and their complete lack of regard for the traditional religious beliefs of the peasantry whom they attempted to convert. The sources of anti-Christian sentiment were many and complex. As this factor played such a significant role in causing the Boxer Rising, it will be discussed in another essay in the collection.

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Password Please enter your Password. Forgot password? You could not be signed in, please check and try again. Sign in with your library card Please enter your library card number. If you think you should have access to this title, please contact your librarian. All rights reserved. Italy was the only country that tried but failed to benefit from the scramble; its attempt to lease Sanmenwan in Zhejiang was rejected.

Japan also joined the fray by getting Chinese assurance not to alienate Fujian Province opposite its colony, Taiwan, to another power.

The overseas quest for naval bases and for mining, loan, and railway projects signaled the importance of sea power and financial imperialism in late nineteenth century global politics. The Qing court was too weak to resist most of the foreign demands and managed only to modify some of the harsh terms. Total views 2, On Slideshare 0.

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