All, I'm not an expert in Chinese history.
What I know is that the Chinese Empire, by the 18th century was stagnating under corruption and incompetance and missed out on the early stages of the Industrial Revolution.
What could have occurred, from the 1760's to before the Opium War in the 1840's that would have precluded China's domination by the western powers under their "Sphere's of Influence"?
China doesn't need to be fully caught up to Great Britain but enough to prevent this sort of domination.
Economically, politically, culturally, militarily, what needs to happen and what are the likely persons/events necessary?
More free trade? Less?
Taking the Japan 1870's strategy of importing foreign technology specialists and a central desire to catch up?
Massive bureaucratic reform?
Who are the proponants? Who are the reactionaries?
Thanks. Many of my POD's involve Britain failing to capture India (1759-1818) and therefore having less mustle to force open China, if that helps.
What I know is that the Chinese Empire, by the 18th century was stagnating under corruption and incompetance and missed out on the early stages of the Industrial Revolution.
What could have occurred, from the 1760's to before the Opium War in the 1840's that would have precluded China's domination by the western powers under their "Sphere's of Influence"?
China doesn't need to be fully caught up to Great Britain but enough to prevent this sort of domination.
Economically, politically, culturally, militarily, what needs to happen and what are the likely persons/events necessary?
More free trade? Less?
Taking the Japan 1870's strategy of importing foreign technology specialists and a central desire to catch up?
Massive bureaucratic reform?
Who are the proponants? Who are the reactionaries?
Thanks. Many of my POD's involve Britain failing to capture India (1759-1818) and therefore having less mustle to force open China, if that helps.