English Lessons : The Pedagogy of Imperialism in Nineteenth-Century China

Inserting China into the history of nineteenth-century colonialism, __English Lessons__ explores the ways that Euroamerican imperial powers humiliated the Qing monarchy and disciplined the Qing polity in the wake of multipower invasions of China in 1860 and 1900. Focusing on the processes by which Great Britain enacted a pedagogical project that was itself a form of colonization, James L. Hevia demonstrates how British actors instructed the Manchu-Chinese elite on “proper” behavior in a world dominated by multiple imperial powers. Their aim was to “bring China low” and make it a willing participant in British strategic goals in Asia. These lessons not only transformed the Qing dynasty but ultimately contributed to its destruction.Hevia analyzes British Foreign Office documents, diplomatic memoirs, auction house and museum records, nineteenth-century scholarly analyses of Chinese history and culture, campaign records, and photographs. He shows how Britain refigured its imperial project in China as a cultural endeavor through examinations of the circulation of military loot in Europe, the creation of an art history of “things Chinese,” the construction of a field of knowledge about China, and the Great Game rivalry between Britain, Russia, and the Qing empire in Central Asia. In so doing, he illuminates the impact of these elements on the colonial project and the creation of a national consciousness in China. Inserting China into the history of nineteenth-century colonialism, English Lessons explores the ways that Euroamerican imperial powers humiliated the Qing monarchy and disciplined the Qing polity in the wake of multipower invasions of China in 1860 and 1900. Focusing on the processes by which Great Britain enacted a pedagogical project that was itself a form of colonization, James L. Hevia demonstrates how British actors instructed the Manchu-Chinese elite on “proper” behavior in a world dominated by multiple imperial powers. Their aim was to “bring China low” and make it a willing participant in British strategic goals in Asia. These lessons not only transformed the Qing dynasty but ultimately contributed to its destruction. Hevia analyzes British Foreign Office documents, diplomatic memoirs, auction house and museum records, nineteenth-century scholarly analyses of Chinese history and culture, campaign records, and photographs. He shows how Britain refigured its imperial project in China as a cultural endeavor through examinations of the circulation of military loot in Europe, the creation of an art history of “things Chinese,” the construction of a field of knowledge about China, and the Great Game rivalry between Britain, Russia, and the Qing empire in Central Asia. In so doing, he illuminates the impact of these elements on the colonial project and the creation of a national consciousness in China. -- Publisher Inserting China into the history of nineteenth-century colonialism, English Lessons explores the ways that Euroamerican imperial powers humiliated the Qing monarchy and disciplined the Qing polity in the wake of multipower invasions of China in 1860 and 1900. James L. Hevia focuses on the processes by which Great Britain enacted a pedagogical project that was itself a form of colonization, instructing the Manchu-Chinese elite on "proper" behavior in a world dominated by multiple imperial powers. The aim was to "bring China low" and make it a willing participant in British strategic goals in Asia. These lessons not only transformed the Qing dynasty but ultimately contributed to its destruction. Hevia examines British Foreign Office documents, diplomatic memoirs, auction house and museum records, nineteenth-century scholarship on Chinese history and culture, campaign records, and photographs. By analyzing the circulation of military loot in Europe, the creation of an art history of "things Chinese," the construction of a field of knowledge about China, and the Great Game rivalry between Britain, Russia, and the Qing empire in Central Asia, he shows how Britain refigured its imperial project in China as a cultural endeavor. Contents List of Illustrations and Tables Acknowledgments Abbreviations 1. Introduction: Imperialism, Colonialism, and China Part I. Opium Wars and Treaties of Peace, Friendship, and Commerce 2. The Arrow War, 1856–1860 3. Violence and the Rule of Law in China, 1856–1858 4. Beijing 1860: Loot, Prize, and a Solemn Act of Retribution Part II. Reterritorializing China, 1861–1900 5. Constructing a New Order 6. The Qing Empire in the Era of European Global Hegemony Part III. Making China Perfectly Equal 7. A Reign of Terror: Punishment and Retribution in Beijing and Its Environs 8. Desacralizing Qing Sovereignty, 1900–1901 9. Mnemonic Devices: Memorializing the West as Victim and Hero 10. The Return of the Repressed, Recirculations, and Chinese Patriotism Postscript Bibliography Index Introduction: Imperialism, Colonialism, And China -- The Arrow War, 1856-1860 -- Violence And The Rule Of Law In China, 1856-1858 -- Loot, Prize, And A Solemn Act Of Retribution -- Constructing A New Order -- The Qing Empire In The Era Of European Global Hegemony -- A Reign Of Terror: Punishment And Retribution In Beijing And Its Environs -- Desacralizing Qing Sovereignty, 1900-1901 -- Mnemonic Devices: Memorializing The West As Victim And Hero -- The Return Of The Repressed, Recirculations, And Chinese Patriotism James L. Hevia. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Inserting China into the history of 19th century colonialism, this text explores the ways that Euroamerican imperial powers humiliated the Qing monarchy and disciplined the Qing polity in the wake of multi-power invasions of China in 1860 and 1900 THE TITLE OF THIS BOOK was inspired by a gruesome scene of public executions that took place in Beijing, China, in the autumn of 1900 (fig. 1). A re-evaluation of British Imperialism in nineteenth-century China from the perspective of postcolonial theory