The Change Of The Outlook On China For Elites Circle In 18th Century Britain

The China outlook of British elites in 18 th century underwent a dramatic change.Before the 1850 s,inheriting the tradition of “Chinoiserie” lasting from last century,the views of the British elites about China were pretty supportive and positive.Noble classes were addicted to the antiques with Chinese style,meanwhile litterateurs as well as artists especially architects showed great esteem for the Chinese arts via various artistic creations.However,the views about China began to deteriorate since the mid-18 th century,and it was exasperate rapidly after 1793 when the embassy George Macartney failed to establish a diplomatic relationship with Empire Qing.Indeed,the change of China outlook of British elites really had relevance with the economic or political condition of China itself.Nevertheless,it was the British social reform and the socio-cultural psychology that truly settled the situation.18 th century was a vital period in British history for the turbulent revolution and the turn of the mentality of intellectuals or politicians.First of all,Mercantilism and the liberalism economic theory combined with the maritime hegemony gave British an extraordinary national self-consciousness and the ambition to expand overseas markets.Secondly,except for rationalism,the prosperity of industry caused by the bound of science had also brought sentimentalism inliterary field.Thirdly,Civil War and the Glory Revolution changed the means of British governance,which consolidated the freedom of Contract which established since “Magna Carta”.Definitely,all these social reforms had influenced the social psychology.Thus,during this period,a prevailingcustom called “Grand Tour” caught the interests of the British upper classes.These young elites went to European Continent or other foreign lands where they observed the exotic atmosphere and took down specific notes.This,brought about the discipline of “Natural History”.All thosefactors resulted in the development and the change of China Outlookin 18 th century.At First,The crazy enthusiasm for exotic world caused by the “Grand Tour”made China,the mysterious nation that only exists in the reports of Jesuit missionaries or the tales of early travelers,more attractive.Chinese antiques wereextremelysplendid which precisely matched the luxurious appetite of the nobles.The progress of Industry Revolutioncaused the environmentaldisruption,which had a violent confliction with nature.Sentimentalism writer thus praised the Chinese gardening,suggesting that they were harmony with nature.That’s way China Outlook of elite were pretty positive.However,as the social reform and the transition of psychology finished in late 1850 s,the liberalism economic theory and rationalism were embraced by most highbrows and became their way of thinking.What’s more,the constitutional politics was confirmed after series of constitutional social movements and was also accepted by a majority of politicians.Therefore,the differences and the contrast between British character and Chinese culture became more violent.Due to this,the elites began to reassess China.They suspect that the old view about China since Marco Polo sent back his travel notes was fictional or even phony.China was not the Utopia of real world,but in contrast,it has many gloomy aspects to be disclosed.It was in such backgrounds that the outlook of British elites about China began todeteriorate.Politicians and literates gave their serious critiques upon the “Chinoiserie”or the Chinese culture.Finally,the incident of Macartney embassy to China in 1793 became the turning point of China outlook.Since then,the negative view about China became the main stream among the British elites.The notes and diary of Marcartney even influenced the governmental determines of England thus lead to the tough official attitude towards China.Hereto,the supportive China Outlook which was very weak then became morevulnerableand vanished atlast.