We Are History The Opium War
Mar 29, 2020
Dive into the first 'war on drugs' as Victorian Britain faces Imperial China. Explore the tangled web of trade that led to opium's rise and China's desperate attempts to ban it. Learn about the passionate crackdown led by Lin Zexu and the diplomatic tensions that ignited conflict. Discover how advanced British naval power reshaped the battle and the political justifications behind the war. Reflect on how this historical clash continues to influence narratives of national humiliation in China and British historical perspectives.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Trade Imbalance Drove The Opium Trade
- Britain faced a persistent trade imbalance with China driven by huge British demand for tea and little Chinese demand for British goods.
- Selling Indian opium to China became Britain's practical—but exploitative—solution to balance trade and profits from colonies.
Canton's Tight Trade Controls
- Foreign merchants could only trade through the Canton/Kohong system, which made China highly protectionist and controlled contact with outsiders.
- Kohong merchants bore legal responsibility for foreigners' conduct and cargo while trading in Canton.
Bans Failed Against Lucrative Supply
- China repeatedly tried to ban opium, adopting harsh penalties including death for smokers who didn't quit.
- Despite bans, supply from British-run Indian plantations and private traders kept addiction and trade growing.
