During the Qianlong period, the GDP of the Qing Dynasty accounted for more than 30% of the world, even surpassing that of the United States. During the Qianlong period, the population of China exceeded 300 million, accounting for13 of the world population, which was equivalent to the fact that the Qing Empire was the largest market in the world at that time. Such a rich and powerful country is invincible in Asia and among the best in the world.
During the same period, Britain gradually became a world power after the industrial revolution. At this time, Britain was very interested in China and Qing Dynasty in the far east. At that time, the British didn't think they needed to be enemies with the eastern countries thousands of miles away. They just want to do trade with China, hope to reach cooperation with the Qing Dynasty, and start their own businesses on the site of the Qing Dynasty, hoping that the Qing Dynasty can collect less tariffs. After all, the tariffs imposed by the Qing dynasty on foreign countries were too high, which made the British daunting.
In view of their curiosity about the Qing Dynasty and their desire to seek cooperation, the British sent a delegation to visit the Qing Dynasty in 1793, and in order to avoid being rejected by the Qing government, they took the initiative to go to Beijing in the name of Buganlong's 80th birthday.
British special envoy Mazany visited the Qing Dynasty, and his purpose was to explore the Qing Empire, the largest market in the world. Of course, his purpose is not pure and perfect. For the empire that did not fall at that time, it was a great event to turn the Qing Empire into its own industrial product market and industrial raw material mining area, so its essence was to sell goods and buy raw materials (pay attention to buying raw materials is not plunder).
In order to show the sincerity of making good friends with the Qing Dynasty, Britain gave its most advanced products to Qianlong as a birthday present, and showed the products of industrial civilization to Emperor Qianlong without reservation. Among the items in the gift list, the most advanced scientific instruments such as steam engines and looms, globes and barometers have also been packed and brought, and even advanced weapons such as carbines and howitzers are equipped with 1 10.
It can be seen that the attitude of the British at that time was quite sincere and generous, and it can be said that there was no awareness of any technical blockade. In order to open the China market, China people are not afraid to learn their advanced technology. On the contrary, they are willing to tell the Qing government about those powerful weapons and ships.
As a result, as we all know, Qianlong arrogantly rejected the British request for trade and asked the British envoy to bring back an imperial edict: "We have a vast territory and rich resources in Qing Dynasty, so you don't need to send these things. If you want to make a deal, it's impossible. If you like our Qing dynasty porcelain and silk, I can send you some. "
It stands to reason that Emperor Qianlong was an intellectual. He personally felt the power of British science and technology, but he was still extremely arrogant, which made the British envoys at that time very puzzled by this arrogant behavior.
Why did Emperor Qianlong refuse the British request for trade? There are many sayings in later generations. One argument is that Chinese and western customs and cultures are different, and the British envoy refused to kowtow three times and worship nine times, but was rejected by Qianlong.
Some people say that different customs are just excuses, but there are other reasons. First, they were worried that the ignorant policies of the feudal dynasty would change. The second is to appreciate the advanced nature and lethality of British weapons, so I am worried that the Han people will be armed. Third, I am worried that the economic situation will change and capitalism will appear in the country, which will affect the dominant position of Manchu.
Originally, the above reasons were thought to be correct, but in recent years, the United States has been suppressing China for fear of being overtaken by China. People must come up with a new reason. The reason why Qianlong refused to trade with Britain at that time was probably the same as the reason why the United States suppressed China today.
First of all, I can't pass the psychological level. Qianlong pretended that the Qing Dynasty was a kingdom of China, and insisted that "the monarch of a big country is respected and the monarch of a small country is humble". It is a shame to learn from a small country like Britain.
Secondly, knowing that Britain is still a powerful country in science, technology and military in the west, Gan Long strengthened his determination to refuse trade. In fact, he didn't want Britain to surpass the Qing Dynasty, and thought that opening the China market would help Britain become strong.
Gan Long rejected Britain's request, although he knew that Britain's strength had fallen behind. His arrogance, extremes and ignorance have to be said to be more arrogant and bluffing.
The so-called illusion of prosperity can be summarized in three sentences in Britain: ① The relevant policies of the Qing government are nothing more than conceit. They want to be above the world leaders, but they are incompetent and short-sighted. What they do is to stop their people from making progress, and they want their people to remain stupid all the time.
After returning to China, Magalny commented on the Qing Dynasty, saying that the military strength of the Qing Dynasty was three or four centuries behind that of Britain. He commented that the Qing Dynasty was a wreck. It can be said that Macartney's mission made the British thoroughly see the decline of the Qing Dynasty, so Britain dared to launch the Opium War 40 years later.
Emperor Qianlong refused to trade with Britain and open his own market, which was equivalent to refusing globalization. This was a turning point in the Qing Dynasty. Due to the closed door, his grandson Daoguang suffered the first Opium War, his great-grandson Emperor Xianfeng suffered the second Opium War, and the most tragic thing was that his great-grandson daughter-in-law Cixi was humiliated by Eight-Nation Alliance's entry into Beijing. Since then, the Qing Empire has come to an end.