Empire 250. Victorian Narcos: Banished From Beijing (Ep 4)
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Apr 28, 2025 Discover the fascinating downfall of the British Macartney Mission to China in 1793. Delve into the clash of cultures that led to confusion over customs like the kowtow. Laugh along with the chaotic exit of the British embassy from Beijing. Unpack the serious implications of the opium trade on both British and Chinese societies. Explore how these events shaped diplomatic relations and set the stage for future conflicts. It's a wild ride through history filled with cultural misunderstandings and imperial blunders!
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Kowtow Clash Blocks Diplomacy
- The Chinese required the British to perform a kowtow to show submission, but the British refused due to their own diplomatic protocols.
- This clash of protocols caused a diplomatic impasse that the British did not fully understand at the time.
Emperor's Cold Reception to Planetarium
- Dunwiddie set up a planetarium to impress the emperor, spending 30 years preparing it.
- The emperor's brief two-minute tour, showing no emotion, deeply crushed Dunwiddie.
Embassy Ejected and Ridiculed
- The British embassy was kicked out of Beijing after overstaying and misunderstanding Chinese edicts.
- McCartney's valet's candid account revealed the embarrassing failure that later became a source of ridicule.