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The Opium Wars: A Captivating Guide to the First and Second Opium War and Their Impact on the History of the United Kingdom and China
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 didn’t 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.
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 didn’t 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.
89 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2020
81 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 7, 2020
Could have been 5 stars
I never know that you can write your own opinion in a history book.
"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."
What ideological blame?
If you visit someone's home and they refuse you to do as you wish in their home. Are you going to force it? Teach them a lesson?
What common ground that could be found in that situation?
British wanted tea and silk, china wanted ONLY silver, because China 'self-boasting' they had everything they need?
A good book indeed, just leave out your opinion next time because this is not a blog, this is a BOOK. HISTORY BOOK.
I never know that you can write your own opinion in a history book.
"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."
What ideological blame?
If you visit someone's home and they refuse you to do as you wish in their home. Are you going to force it? Teach them a lesson?
What common ground that could be found in that situation?
British wanted tea and silk, china wanted ONLY silver, because China 'self-boasting' they had everything they need?
A good book indeed, just leave out your opinion next time because this is not a blog, this is a BOOK. HISTORY BOOK.
March 3, 2021
An easy read about a period of history that is not normally taught. It covers the two Opium Wars with China. It was a war of aggression fueled by the potential wealth that could be obtained from trade in Opium. This was straight from the Imperial age which has long since disappeared and hence cannot really be judged by our so called modern standards. China at that time was ruled by an Emperor who believed he was the centre of the universe which did not help, which stifled reason and added to the conflict. At that time, China was no match for the more modern Western forces.
September 7, 2020
With the advent of the East India Company (EIC), Great Britain was able to import the luxurious and exotic items from China, including silk, porcelain, and tea. However, China only wanted silver in return for their products. They had no interest in British products because they could produce all their citizens wanted. With the constant drain of silver from the British coffers, they decided that they needed to offer something to balance their trade deficit.
When the Chinese continued to refuse the opium, Britain decided on war. The first war was from 1839 to 1842; the second was from 1856 to 1860. Before it was all over, the British were supported by the French, Americans, and Russians. They went to war with the Qing dynasty of China. Unfortunately, the Chinese had looked upon themselves as the apex of civilization and needed nothing from other nations. They preferred to isolate rather than learn from other countries.
This is a particularly shameful period in history when one sovereign country dumped harmful products on the citizens of another sovereign country for monetary benefit. It is no wonder that the Opium Wars are not lauded (or generally mentioned). Queen Victoria would not allow opium in her country but seemed to have no problem enslaving millions of another country (even though the Chinese emperor wanted no part of it for his citizens).
This book is an exceptionally clear explanation of the events before, during, and after each of the wars. It is a scandal that it took China 150 years to eradicate wide-spread opium addiction in their country (until 1960).
When the Chinese continued to refuse the opium, Britain decided on war. The first war was from 1839 to 1842; the second was from 1856 to 1860. Before it was all over, the British were supported by the French, Americans, and Russians. They went to war with the Qing dynasty of China. Unfortunately, the Chinese had looked upon themselves as the apex of civilization and needed nothing from other nations. They preferred to isolate rather than learn from other countries.
This is a particularly shameful period in history when one sovereign country dumped harmful products on the citizens of another sovereign country for monetary benefit. It is no wonder that the Opium Wars are not lauded (or generally mentioned). Queen Victoria would not allow opium in her country but seemed to have no problem enslaving millions of another country (even though the Chinese emperor wanted no part of it for his citizens).
This book is an exceptionally clear explanation of the events before, during, and after each of the wars. It is a scandal that it took China 150 years to eradicate wide-spread opium addiction in their country (until 1960).
February 9, 2021
Although providing plenty of historical facts about British barbarism that led to the collapse of the biggest economy in the world by war and drug addiction,
this book is still a petty example of Western supremacist mindset.
The author always find way to whitewash British leaders' crimes, while using the most despicable adjectives to attack Mao Zedong and the CPC for having committed the horrible "crime" of ending with Opium in China.
Amazing how simplistically sinophobic can Western authors be, to the point of using a book on Western crimes against China as yet another platform to bash the Communist Party of China.
Shame on you Matt Clayton. First and last book I read from you.
The 2 STARS are for the informative facts.
For you the author, ZERO STARS, as I have no respect whatsoever for such kind of dishonest fundamentalist creatures.
this book is still a petty example of Western supremacist mindset.
The author always find way to whitewash British leaders' crimes, while using the most despicable adjectives to attack Mao Zedong and the CPC for having committed the horrible "crime" of ending with Opium in China.
Amazing how simplistically sinophobic can Western authors be, to the point of using a book on Western crimes against China as yet another platform to bash the Communist Party of China.
Shame on you Matt Clayton. First and last book I read from you.
The 2 STARS are for the informative facts.
For you the author, ZERO STARS, as I have no respect whatsoever for such kind of dishonest fundamentalist creatures.
September 20, 2023
Concise and tight. Exactly what I wanted to gain insight on this key historic event.
Important to me now as I work in national security and needed historic insight to analogize that we're in a modern-day Opium War which U.S. Government refuses to acknowledge and address.
I know too many Great Americans who have lost, mostly sons but some daughters, in the prime of their lives to Opioids. It's a reverse threat vector - in time and space, where China is providing most of the debilitating component.
Important to me now as I work in national security and needed historic insight to analogize that we're in a modern-day Opium War which U.S. Government refuses to acknowledge and address.
I know too many Great Americans who have lost, mostly sons but some daughters, in the prime of their lives to Opioids. It's a reverse threat vector - in time and space, where China is providing most of the debilitating component.
August 10, 2023
AWFUL
this book is very bias. According to the book, the British is doing something right, selling drugs to chinese people. When the british lost a ship, the author used the word “unfortunately”. When the chinese lost FOUR ships, the author didn’t show any respect. this book had some information, but the bias presented is a lot.
this book is very bias. According to the book, the British is doing something right, selling drugs to chinese people. When the british lost a ship, the author used the word “unfortunately”. When the chinese lost FOUR ships, the author didn’t show any respect. this book had some information, but the bias presented is a lot.
August 11, 2023
Tragic, powerful history, Britain's evil imposing of opium
This suspenseful vivid history of how Britain forced all of China to accept opium so that British businesses could make lots of money shows that contrary to popular understanding, Victorian England wasn't the nice, good nation, but a ruthless, immoral power. Very well explained in clear prose!
This suspenseful vivid history of how Britain forced all of China to accept opium so that British businesses could make lots of money shows that contrary to popular understanding, Victorian England wasn't the nice, good nation, but a ruthless, immoral power. Very well explained in clear prose!
September 6, 2020
a very interesting read! Lots of information that I did not know. I love this series. If you want to learn about history give it a try!
September 21, 2020
A must read for those interested in justice.
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October 8, 2020Book review
Well written and non biased history lesson! Recommend the read and well worth the down laid and time spent on it!
Well written and non biased history lesson! Recommend the read and well worth the down laid and time spent on it!
October 12, 2020
Interesting
Learned things about opium trade I didn’t remember from earlier study or reading.
I Can’t wait for the next reads
Learned things about opium trade I didn’t remember from earlier study or reading.
I Can’t wait for the next reads
October 30, 2020
Important period in history that effects the world even today.
January 9, 2021
A nice overview of the topic that is comparable to an encyclopedia entry.
October 17, 2022
GG no ree
March 27, 2023
A really good, quick read that sheds light on how greed and the quest for world dominance led Great Britain to knowingly crippled Chinese society for decades. The book discusses the British motivation for selling opium in China (there were no other viable markets, and it needed an export to offset the imports of tea and silk), and how Chinese leaders tried to end the opium trade and opium use for the majority of the 19th century.
September 10, 2023
Read it for historical info
It showed the failure of China to move forward. It thought and acted with any true progress. 1 2 3
It showed the failure of China to move forward. It thought and acted with any true progress. 1 2 3
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews