The Manchu dynasty was the last of the Chinese dynasties, it ruled for nearly three hundred years and ruled over a great amount of land. When the Manchu dynasty was firmly established, China became peaceful for large accomplishments in commerce, international trade and taxation were completed. The Manchu's were outstanding in the fields of painting, porcelain work and literature. .
One of the factors that led to the downfall of the Manchu dynasty was the intrusion of the West into China. They sent Christian missionaries which had little effect but their schools, hospitals and teachings had a influence which altered the way of life that the Chinese people had become accustom to and the traditional structure of Chinese society. This caused much upheaval and eventually was one of the main factors that led to the downfall of the Manchu dynasty.
There were many other factors that led to the downfall of the Manchu dynasty such as the war against the Japanese in 1894. The Japanese conquered Dairen, Weihaiwei, Shatung and Seoul and later occupied Taiwan and the Pescadores Islands in 1895. .
Another factor that weakened the Manchu dynasty was the opium trade and the opium wars. Great Britain was especially interested in trading with China for silk, tea and porcelain. However the British did not have anything that was easy to import to China until they began importing opium. This was devastating to China. Many people became addicted to opium and land that had previously been used for food began to be used to produce opium. Also a large amount of Chinese money left the country in payment for the opium. In 1839 A.D. the opium trade was made illegal and China confiscated and destroyed many British opium stocks. This set off a war with Britain that came to be known as the Opium War and in 1842 A.D. China was forced to sign a treaty in which Britain received Hong Kong and ports were opened to European trade.