The effect of Neo-Imperialism on Qing Dynasty China was not particularly great. Instead of helping China, imperialism brought about the fall of the Qing and the introduction of communism in East Asia. The Qing Dynasty was a powerful, self-sufficient dynasty that reigned from 1644 to 1912. During the late 19th century, the great European powers began to take an interest in Asia's natural resources, needed to fuel Europe's industrial factories. British interest in tea led Europeans to trade with China. The trade was subtle at first, but as conflicts began to arise, situations escalated, and a series of wars with China were fought to resolve them. The Qing Dynasty was able to care for the 3 million people living within its borders. People grew crops such as rice, spun silk, cultivated tea roses, and produced fine porcelain. The Qing Dynasty was the only power in the Far East. This changed during the late 19th century, when imperialism spread to Asia. The great European powers were mainly interested in Southeast Asia. After the colonization of Southeast Asia, the powers began to become interested in trade with China. They sailed to the trading port of Canton (now Hong Kong) and offered manufactured goods for tea, silk, and porcelain. The Qing Dynasty agreed and began trading. Subsequently, the Qing refused to accept European goods and demanded silver ingots as payment. As a result, Western powers began to experience an outflow of silver to China. Countries, especially Britain, had to find a way to reverse the flow of silver so that trade was balanced. So the English resorted to opium, a drug made from the sap of the opium poppy. Originally used as a medicine in Western countries, opium was sold to China as a recreational drug......middle of paper......on." History.com. A&E Television Networks. December 11, 2013." Chinese Cultural Studies: The Taiping Rebellion, 1851-1864." Chinese Cultural Studies: The Taiping Rebellion, 1851-1864. 17 December 2013. "Open Door Policy (United States-China [1899, 1900])." Encyclopedia Britannica Online Encyclopedia Britannica. December 10, 2013. "Taiping Rebellion (Chinese History)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online, April 22, 2013. Encyclopedia Britannica, December 15, 2013.".. 2013 .