Why did China cease to be the world's richest nation in the 19th century?

Question

How did it happen? I need a better understanding

Answer 1

it could not cease to be the richest nation...

Answer 2

Rich in what?

If you mean in the traditional sense then you need to look at the expanse, trade, production, banking and finance and general prosperity of the British Empire to show you China was not the world leader in that area.

Answer 3

I've never heard that China was ever the richest nation in the world... offically. But basically due to a very unorganized government and a long series of rebellions dried up China's funds at the end of the 19th century.

Here is the Wikipedia article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_...

Answer 4

People saying that "I do not think China was ever the richest nation in history"

First, check out the link below

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cou...

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China had been always the richest(at least number 2)

throughout human history

19th century was an unique exception,

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but at 19th century

1.rebels

2.invading Western empires

3.failure of government

dried out fund of China

Answer 5

I don't know if it did. China might be the worlds richest nation right now.

Think: Currency manipulation, Exchange rates, Opium trade, etc.