The Canton System was a hotbed of corruption, mainly for the Customs Superintendents who had an appointment term of three years and used this time to line their pockets by extorting money from the cohong merchants. To protect themselves, the cohong set up in 1775 a common fund known as the Consoo Fund (from Ch. gongsuo 公所 "guild hall").
What is the Canton System?
Below is the article summary. For the full article, see Canton system . Canton system, System of trade that developed between Chinese and foreign merchants in the southern China city of Guangzhou (Canton). From 1759 to 1842, all foreign trade coming into China was confined to Guangzhou and had to be conducted with authorized Chinese merchants.
How did the canton system affect China?
Canton system. At the same time, the British “country trade” increasingly centred on the illegal importation of opium into China from India as a means of paying for the British purchases of tea and silk. Chinese attempts to halt the opium trade, which had caused social and economic disruption, resulted in the first Opium War (1839–42)...
Why is Guangzhou called the “Canton System”?
We call the trading system that lasted from 1700 to 1842 on China’s south coast the “Canton system” because of this city’s dominance. Guangzhou (which Europeans called Canton), an ancient city and one of the largest in South China, had flourished as an administrative and trading center for over 1000 years before the Westerners arrived.
Why did westerners choose to trade at Canton?
Although many ports on the coasts of China were open, most Westerners chose to trade at Canton as it is closer to Southeast Asia and it was not profitable to go further north. In 1704, the Baoshang system was established.
What drug led to the demise of the isolationist Canton system in China?
These tensions came to a head in the late 1830s, when the Canton system of Chinese control over the foreigners essentially entered its death throes, triggered in large part by the toxic mainstay of the Western export trade: opium.
Why was the Canton system important?
The Canton System (1757–1842; Chinese: 一口通商; pinyin: Yīkǒu tōngshāng, lit. "Single [port] trading relations") served as a means for Qing China to control trade with the West within its own country by focusing all trade on the southern port of Canton (now Guangzhou).
What was the Canton system explain?
Canton system, System of trade that developed between Chinese and foreign merchants in the southern China city of Guangzhou (Canton). From 1759 to 1842, all foreign trade coming into China was confined to Guangzhou and had to be conducted with authorized Chinese merchants.
Why did Chinese limit trade with foreigners to the port of Canton?
Such a system would make it easier to control the activities of the foreigners as well. So in the 1750s trade was restricted to Canton (Guangzhou), and foreigners coming to China in their sail-powered ships were allowed to reside only on the island of Macao as they awaited favorable winds to return home.
Why did Canton Trade end?
Britain's victory in this conflict forced the Chinese to abolish the Canton system and replace it with five treaty ports in which foreigners could live and work outside Chinese legal jurisdiction, trading with whomever they pleased.
When was the Canton system?
During the period known as the Canton trade system (1757–1842), hong merchants acted as exclusive liaisons between American traders and the Chinese. Holding the license to trade issued by the Chinese government, the hong merchants enjoyed considerable power. All foreign trade was required to be channeled through them.
Which government introduce the Canton system?
Chinese government introduced Canton system in 1760. At that time when all the foreign trade coming into china was confined to Canton and all the foreign traders who are entering the city were subjected by chinese government rule and compliances.
In what way did the Canton system seek to control trade quizlet?
In what way did the Canton system seek to control trade? It required European traders to have Chinese merchants act as guarantors for their good behavior and payment of fees.
Who monopolized the Canton Trade?
The East India Company, which monopolized the British Asian trade for over 200 years, made Calcutta and Canton its key bases. It shipped textiles and opium from India to China in exchange for tea, silk, and porcelain for English consumption.
Why did the Chinese emperor reject foreign goods?
He also speaks upon the difference of religion and equality that China and England possess. The Chinese believed that other countries apart from theirs was not as advanced as they were. They were not interested in British imports/ goods; however, they were pleased when tea became popular in Britain.
Why did the Chinese accept the Dutch and reject the British as trading partners?
What restrictions did the Manchus place on foreign trade? Foregin countries could only trade at special ports, paying tributes, and performing the "kowtow" ritual. Wehy did the Chinese accept the Dutch and reject the British as trading partners? The Dutch accepted China's restriction on trade; the British didn't.
Where was Canton in China?
Guangdong ProvinceGuangzhou is the capital and the sub-provincial city of Guangdong Province in southern mainland China. The city was formerly known internationally as Canton City or simply Canton, after a French language transliteration of the name of the province in Cantonese.
In what way did the Canton system seek to control trade quizlet?
In what way did the Canton system seek to control trade? It required European traders to have Chinese merchants act as guarantors for their good behavior and payment of fees.
Which government introduce the Canton system?
Chinese government introduced Canton system in 1760. At that time when all the foreign trade coming into china was confined to Canton and all the foreign traders who are entering the city were subjected by chinese government rule and compliances.
Where was Canton in China?
Guangdong ProvinceGuangzhou is the capital and the sub-provincial city of Guangdong Province in southern mainland China. The city was formerly known internationally as Canton City or simply Canton, after a French language transliteration of the name of the province in Cantonese.
Why did the Chinese accept the Dutch as trading partners?
They accepted China's restrictions. Their diplomats paid tribute to the emperor through gifts and by performing the required “kowtow” ritual. This ritual involved kneeling in front of the emperor and touching one's head to the ground nine times. As a result, the Chinese accepted the Dutch as trading partners.
What was the Canton system?
"Single [port] trading relations") served as a means for Qing China to control trade with the West within its own country by focusing all trade on the southern port of Canton (now Guangzhou ). The protectionist policy arose in 1757 as a response to a perceived political ...
Why did Westerners trade at Canton?
Although many ports on the coasts of China were open, most Westerners chose to trade at Canton as it is closer to Southeast Asia and it was not profitable to go further north.
What was the Kangxi dynasty?
Origins. At the start of his reign, the Kangxi Emperor (r. 1661–1722) faced a number of challenges, not the least of which was to integrate his relatively new dynasty with the Chinese Han majority. The Manchu -led Qing dynasty had only come to power in 1644, replacing the Ming dynasty.
Why did Kangxi ban trade?
Kangxi twice banned all maritime trade for strategic reasons, to prevent any possible waterborne coup attempt. Several rebellions took place, including one led by Ming loyalist Koxinga and separately the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories, which led to the capture of Taiwan in 1683.
When did the Qianlong Emperor ban all non-Russian ships from the ports of northern China?
In 1757 the Qianlong Emperor banned all non-Russian ships from the ports of northern China. Russians were however not allowed to use Canton. All customs offices other than the one at Canton were closed. The emperor did this after receiving a petition regarding the presence of armed Western merchant ships all along the coast. The Western merchant ships were protected from pirates, and guarded against, by the Guangdong Navy, which was subsequently increased in strength.
Who restricted trade with foreigners on Chinese soil?
Under the system, the Qianlong Emperor restricted trade with foreigners on Chinese soil only for licensed Chinese merchants (Cohongs), while the British government on their part issued a monopoly charter for trade only to the British East India Company.
Is trade prohibited in Canton?
1) Trade by foreign barbarians in Canton is prohibited during the winter. 2) Foreign barbarians coming to the city must reside in the foreign factories under the supervision and control of the Cohong. 3) Chinese citizens are barred from borrowing capital from foreign barbarians and from employment by them.
What were the risks of the foreigners in Canton?
From their factories, they could peer into a vast, wealthy continent whose riches made all the difficulties worthwhile. They faced risks of fire, disease, and social unrest along with their Chinese counterparts. They pressed for greater access to the interior of China, but for nearly 150 years could not move out of their profitable ghetto.
When did the Qing government tighten control of trade?
The Qing government tightened control in 1741 by requiring all foreigners to leave Canton and return to Macau when the trading season ended, and officially restricted all trade to Canton after 1757. The foreigners constantly complained about these restrictions, but the fact that trade grew steadily through the 18th century shows that they could do very profitable business despite the regulations.
Why did the Hoppo ask the Hong merchants to donate 200,000 each for relief funds?
In other words, because of flooding on the Yellow River, the hoppo asked the hong merchants to “contribute” 200,000 each for relief funds. Howqua gave a counter offer of 50 to 60,000, but he was prepared to pay 100,000 if necessary. Howqua not only knew how to bargain with Chinese officials, but he trusted his American counterpart well enough to let him in on the details. Both the hong merchants and the foreign traders shared interests in keeping their profits out of the hands of officials to the extent possible. Although neither side could speak the other’s native language, pidgin allowed them to communicate a great deal beyond basic business deals.
How were Chinese cities planned?
Chinese cities were planned as segregated environments, with separate districts for different purposes. The official headquarters, usually in the north central area of the city, faced south over their subjects. Wide avenues separated residential wards from each other, and these wards often had gates. Market places were spread through the inner city, but much of the mercantile activity took place outside the city walls. In cities located on major rivers large clusters of boats, ranging from small sampans to large junks, gathered at the wharves and merchants conducted business between the river and the city wall. Canton’s foreign quarter, sited between the city wall and the river, fit comfortably into the classic design of south Chinese cities.
Why did the tensions increase in the 19th century?
Tensions increased in the 19th century because of the Qing government efforts to stamp out the opium trade. Later, after the Opium Wars of the 1840s and 1850s, the Westerners imposed their own laws on China in the treaty ports. In 1807, however, the Chinese and Westerners still stood on an equal level.
What is the name of the river in the city of Canton?
Bramston: This British map of Canton shows the city walls, “Old” and “New City,” the “Five-Storey Watchtower” at the top, and the river with both Chinese and English names “Choo-Keang or Pearl River” at the bottom. The text reads: “A Plan of the City of Canton and its Suburbs Shewing [sic] the principal Streets and some of the conspicuous Buildings from a Chinese Survey on an Enlarged Scale with additions and References, by W. Bramston, Late of Her Majesty’s Superintendents Office at Canton, 1840.” / Hong Kong Museum of Art
When did the Dutch and English gain control of Taiwan?
Since the early 17th century, the Dutch and the English had tried to gain trading privileges with China as the Portuguese had done in Macau, but the Chinese rulers prevented regular access until they had secured control of Taiwan in 1683.
What is the Canton system?
Canton system, Guangzhou: sale of English goods in Guangzhou, 1858 [Credit: The Print Collector/Heritage-Images] trading pattern that developed between Chinese and foreign merchants, especially British, in the South China trading city of Guangzhou (Canton) from the 17th to the 19th century. The major characteristics of the system developed between ...
When was the Comprador system abolished?
James Chan has read that the comprador system originally came to prominence after the Canton system, in the late Ming dynasty, was abolished in 1842 and the compradores replaced the “hong” merchants as the main intermediaries between Chinese and Western traders. He is mystified.
Which country made Guangzhou its main port?
As a result, the British East India Company, which had a monopoly on British trade with China, made Guangzhou its major Chinese port early in the 17th century, and other Western trading companies soon followed their example.
