Question

which statement best summarizes the trade relationship between china and european powers during the 19th century?
a. china shipped opium and other drugs to europe, but european powers would not accept it.
b. european powers tried to gain access to the chinese market, but the chinese resisted.
c. european powers restricted foreign trade, but china forced them to open their markets.
d. china attempted to trade for european manufactured goods, but european powers refused.

Explanation:

During the 19th century, European powers (such as Britain) wanted to expand their trade with China. China had a restrictive trade policy (like the Canton System). The British, for example, tried to open up the Chinese market more fully. The Opium Wars were in part a result of these tensions. Option A is incorrect as it was Britain that shipped opium to China. Option C is wrong because it was China that had more restrictive trade policies initially, not European powers. Option D is incorrect as European powers were interested in selling their manufactured goods (and getting Chinese tea, silk etc.) and it was China that was more restrictive in trade in some ways.

Answer:

B. European powers tried to gain access to the Chinese market, but the Chinese resisted.