China and Christianity: The Missionary Movement and the Growth of Chinese Antiforeignism

Paul Cohen's China and Christianity examines the complex relationship between Christian missionary activity and the rise of anti-foreign sentiment in nineteenth-century China. The book focuses on the period between 1860-1870, analyzing how missionary work intersected with Chinese society and politics. The study draws on extensive archival materials, including missionary correspondence, Chinese official documents, and local records to reconstruct this pivotal era in Sino-Western relations. Cohen traces specific incidents and broader patterns of interaction between missionaries and Chinese communities, examining both violent confrontations and peaceful exchanges. The narrative explores multiple perspectives, including those of Chinese officials, local populations, Western missionaries, and diplomatic representatives. The analysis considers how cultural misunderstandings, religious differences, and political tensions shaped these encounters. This historical work stands as a key text for understanding the roots of Chinese nationalism and the broader dynamics of cross-cultural religious contact. The book illuminates enduring questions about cultural imperialism and religious conversion in the context of international relations.

This book has limited online reader reviews, with only a handful found across platforms. Readers noted the depth of research into the complex relationship between missionaries and Chinese society. Multiple reviewers highlighted Cohen's analysis of how missionary activities contributed to anti-foreign sentiment. A common thread in reviews was appreciation for the balanced treatment of both Chinese and Western perspectives. Some readers found the academic writing style dense and challenging to follow. A few criticized the narrow focus on the specific time period without broader historical context. Available Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (5 ratings, 0 written reviews) Amazon: No reviews available Google Books: No reader reviews Quote from an academic review on JSTOR: "Cohen meticulously traces how missionary presence shaped local reactions and resistance, providing a nuanced view of this cultural intersection." Note: This book is primarily cited in academic contexts rather than receiving consumer reviews.

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🔸 Paul Cohen spent over six years conducting research for this book in archives across multiple continents, including extensive work in missionary collections in London, New York, and Yale University. 🔸 The book challenges the traditional view that Chinese anti-Christian sentiment was primarily religious in nature, demonstrating instead that it was deeply intertwined with anti-imperial and nationalist movements. 🔸 During the period covered by the book (1860-1870), there were at least 100 major anti-Christian riots in China, with the most severe occurring in Tianjin in 1870, resulting in the deaths of 21 foreigners. 🔸 Author Paul Cohen later became a pioneer in developing the "China-centered" approach to Chinese history, encouraging scholars to examine Chinese history from within rather than through Western perspectives. 🔸 The book reveals that many Chinese intellectuals of the period viewed Christianity not just as a religion but as a form of "cultural imperialism," leading them to establish counter-movements promoting traditional Confucian values.