What would be a good response to this?
During the 19th century, British Empire was at pinnacle of power. AT the same time the Qing Dynasty was struggling with incompetent and weak emperors. There were many significant events during 1860-1911 for the Qing Dynasty that will eventually lead to the formation of the, First Republic of China in 1911. After the Opium War, other foreign powers lay claim to China, the Anglo-French expedition burned the Summer Place, the Manchu government at the time had no other option that to sign the Treaty of Peking in 1860. The war with France continue until 1885, with the signing of Tienstin treaty. Which conceded Vietnam to the French, Myanmar (Burma) to Britain and several leasing agreements with Germany and Russia. During this, U.S. Congress passes the Chinese Exclusion Act, "the first significant law restraining immigration into the United States" (www.ourdocuments.gov)
Tragedy, strikes again with the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, a war between Qing Empire and Meiji Empire of Japan over control of the Korean Peninsula. This consequential lose to Japan, gave up a country that was paying tribute to the Qing Dynasty. One of the final blows to the Qing Dynasty was the Boxer Rebellion (China Education Center Ltd.) This was extremely violent uprising against foreigners, colonialism and Christianity. A secret society which led uprising against Western ideals were called "Boxers", a name given to this secret society based upon the exercises witnessed by foreigners. Armies from eight countries, Britain, Russia, Germany, France, America, Italy, Austria and Japan defeated this uprising and took indemnities from China.
By 1898, Chinese leadership was lacking any attempt of modernization was not possible due to other countries leasing many areas of China. A since of nationalism was rising and some government officials pushed reform, however another group pressed for revolution over the Qing Dynasty for its failure in dealing with foreign invasion forces (China Education Center Ltd.) The revolution succeeded in 1911, with the Qing Dynasty overthrown and the Republic of China formed.