Stephen R. Platt, author of Imperial Twilight, dives into the complex legacy of the Opium Wars and their lasting impact on China. He explores the absurd grievances that sparked the Second Opium War and the tragic fate of the Summer Palace during this turbulent time. The discussion also draws unsettling parallels between historical opium crises and today’s fentanyl epidemic in America, revealing how themes of humiliation and power loss resonate across time. This engaging conversation illuminates the ethical dilemmas and imperial shadows haunting geopolitics today.
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insights INSIGHT
Dishonor in First Opium War
The First Opium War was widely seen as dishonorable by many in Britain despite the military victory. - The war was justified as a trade and honor conflict but was clearly about enforcing the opium trade against China.
insights INSIGHT
Treaty of Nanjing Terms
The Treaty of Nanjing forced China to cede Hong Kong and open five treaty ports to British trade. - It imposed large indemnities on China but did not legalize opium trade, preserving a pretense of moral restraint.
insights INSIGHT
Opium Trade Profits Depend on Illegality
Jardine and Matheson preferred the opium trade remain illegal to maintain higher profits and control. - Legalizing opium threatened their smuggling networks and market dominance, despite official rhetoric against the trade.
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The Untold Story of a Renegade Marine and the Birth of U.S. Special Forces in World War II
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The Raider by Stephen R. Platt tells the story of Evans Carlson, a controversial Marine Corps officer who commanded America's first special forces during World War II. Carlson's life was marked by his involvement with Chinese communist forces and his role in introducing guerrilla tactics to the U.S. military. The book explores Carlson's exploits and the cultural misunderstandings that shaped U.S.-China relations.
Smoke and Ashes
Amitav Ghosh
Imperial Twilight
the Opium War and the End of China's Last Golden Age
Stephen Platt
In this book, Stephen R. Platt explores the complex origins of the Opium War, detailing the early attempts by Western traders and missionaries to 'open' China. The narrative focuses on the period leading up to the war, highlighting the struggles of China's imperial rulers, the role of Confucian scholars, and the eventual descent into one of the most unjust wars in imperial history. The book features a cast of British, Chinese, and American characters and has significant implications for understanding current Sino-Western relations.
What led to the Second Opium War? Why wasn’t China colonised by Europeans? When did China start referring to this period as the “century of humiliation” and how did this narrative shape nationalism in the 20th century?
Anita and William are joined by Stephen R. Platt, author of Imperial Twilight, for the final instalment of this series in which they discuss the Second Opium War and how its legacy continues to shape geopolitics today.
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