I’m currently doing some reading on the Qing and China in general during the early modern period and one thing that I feel isn’t really explained enough about China is how they began their decline. Obvious the end began when the British began the opium wars opening China up and forcing the unequal treaties, but also from what I’ve read China was a self sufficient hegemon of East Asia, they limited trade because they had all they needed and had no need of western goods. What cause a century’s old dynasty like the Qing to be in a state during the middle of the 19th century where the best defense again British steam warships was wooden war junks (An analogy I’m using to represent Qing China as a whole seemingly being far behind the British in technology and strength).

Edit: also if you have any good sources for info on China, specifically of China and Chinese politics from the beginning of the 19th century up to the Second World War Id really appreciate it.