The social nature before the Opium War was

The nature of China society before the Opium War was feudal.

Before the Opium War, China society was characterized by strong feudalism, strict social hierarchy, seriously backward system and political, economic and cultural inequality. These problems caused more serious problems after the Opium War, and became one of the important factors affecting the modernization process of China.

Under the feudal system, people were divided into different classes, and their status and power were unequal. The emperor was the supreme ruler of feudal society and held absolute power. The literati class occupies an important position in the political and cultural fields, while the ordinary people are at the bottom of society and live in poverty and hardship. In addition, there are enslaved and discriminated social groups whose main members are slaves and women.

Economically, China has experienced a transformation from an agricultural society to a handicraft and commercial society, but this transformation is very slow. Agriculture was the main pillar of China's economy at that time, and the development of handicrafts and commerce was relatively backward. In this context, there is an obvious gap between China and the West in terms of economic and technological level. On the eve of the Opium War, western powers began to invade and exploit China, which was also an important manifestation of feudal society. The backwardness of feudal political and economic system made China face various crises and challenges.

The embodiment of feudal system in China society before the Opium War

1. Politically, China society implements the autocratic monarchy system, with the emperor as the supreme ruler, leading the state, ministers, officials and other bureaucratic institutions, and implementing the system of enfeoffment.

2. Economically, China society is dominated by agricultural economy, and the development of commerce and handicrafts is slow. Farmers live in poverty under the exploitation of landlords, and urban citizens also live in feudal hierarchy, lacking social mobility.

3. Culturally, China implemented the imperial examination system, which was led by the literati. Culture and education have become the main ways to gain political and social status, which also leads to the monopoly of cultural and intellectual power.

4. Socially, China's feudal society practiced a hierarchical system, and social class and status were based on birth and wealth. The lower class people lack social security, farmers and urban residents cannot become social elites, while slaves and women are at the bottom, the least free and the least respected.