Captivating History - Opium Wars: A Captivating Guide to the First and Second Opium War and the History of the Qing Dynasty

Victorian Great Britain was the most technologically and economically developed country in the world at the time. As such, it had the power to protect its interests. With the discovery of new trade routes in the East, and with the foundation of the East India Company, Britain became addicted to the luxurious and exotic items from China. Silk, porcelain, and tea were in high demand among the rich. Britain was so economically strong at the time that even the middle and lower classes could afford to enjoy high-quality items imported from China, especially tea.

Britain imported everything its society desired, but it was costly. The main problem was that China only accepted payments in silver, creating a huge imbalance in trade. To avoid losing money on imported goods, Britain had to sell something back to China. However, this Eastern empire liked to boast that it was self-sufficient. The Chinese didnt need to import anything, as their industry was developed enough to supply the whole country with what it needed. Britain had to come up with something the Chinese needed, and in desperation, the decision was made for Britain to sell opium.

With rich poppy plantations in Britains Indian possessions, opium was abundant. It was banned in Great Britain, except when diluted in red wine in very small amounts and prescribed by doctors in the form of laudanum. Since they could not sell the drug back home, British opium merchants needed a new market. There were no better experimental grounds than China, which was just opening up to foreign trade. When diplomatic efforts to introduce opium to the Chinese market failed, the British Parliament approved an alternative: war.

There were two wars, one from 1839 to 1842 and another from 1856 to 1860. They are collectively known as the Opium Wars. The British, who were joined by French and supported by the Americans and Russians, clashed with Imperial China, which was ruled by the Qing dynasty. These conflicts are largely forgotten in the Western world, perhaps out of a sense of collective shame. But in China, the Opium Wars are still symbols of national humiliation at the hands of the Western powers.

For over 4,000 years, China believed itself to be the pinnacle of civilization, regarding other nations as barbarians who were not worthy of the imperial presence of their Son of Heaven, the emperor. As such, Chinas feelings of superiority often halted its diplomacy. Since the nation was stuck in tradition, it was doomed to suffer the inadequate political decisions of their emperor and his advisors. Xenophobia reached extremes when foreigners were prohibited from entering the country. Instead of opening up to other nations and learning from them, China decided to close its borders and not allow the outside world to taint their sacred society. Although the moral blame for the Opium Wars lies with Britain, the ideological blame is on China. Perhaps through less strict diplomacy, it could have found common grounds with the Western world and avoided the devastating effects of both the drug and the war.

Even though the Opium Wars were fought a century and a half ago, to modern readers, the events might seem quite contemporary. They represent a narrative that perfectly describes colonialism, which is defined by greed, power, corruption, racism, and the collective madness of a nation. The Opium Wars are a reminder for the future, as they perfectly describe what happens when two different worlds clash. The events in this book can only serve to teach us of humility, selflessness, and compassion. At the heart of the Opium Wars is the international drug trade, which we still fight even today.