First Opium War Explained (Great Britain v China)

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The First Opium War 1839 - 1842 was fought between the Chinese and British Empires.
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The Opium Wars were two 19th century wars fought between China and Britain (and also France in the second one). Two mighty and proud empires fighting each other and all, ostensibly about the trade in opium.
The British were trying to export the narcotic into China and the Chinese authorities, unsurprisingly, wanted to stop them.
In this episode, I'm exploring the reasons behind the 1st Opium War 1839-1842, what happened during the war and how it resulted in the British ruling Hong Kong for over 150 years.
And the interesting thing is that despite the name (Opiums Wars), opium was not the only reason these two countries went to war.
Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:59 Opium Trade
4:38 Other Reasons For War
7:43 Chinese Clamp Down
9:58 Drunken Sailors
11:37 Arrival of HMS Volage
13:34 Battle of Chuenpi
14:19 Parliament Divided
16:43 War
18:55 General Hugh Gough
20:33 Battle of Chusan
22:03 2nd Battle of Chuenpi
23:46 War Resumes
24:19 Canton Captured
24:57 Elliot Replaced
26:04 Battle of Amoy
27:59 Shanghai Captured
28:33 Battle of Zhenjang
29:00 Treaty of Nanking
29:40 Hong Kong - British Colony
30:46 Century of Humiliation
Timeline - The First Opium War
Jan 1839 Viceroy Lin attempts to stamp out opium trade in Canton
Mar 1839 European stock of Opium surrendered & destroyed
July 1839 Kowloon Incident
Aug 1839 Arrival of HMS Volage
Sept 1839 Battle of Kowloon
Oct 1839 British parliament narrowly votes for military expedition
Nov 1839 Battle of Chuenpi
June 1840 British expeditionary forces arrives off coast of China
July 1840 Battle of Chusan
Jan 1841 Second battle of Chuenpi
Jan 1841 British & Chinese local officials agree peace treaty (repudiated by both governments)
Feb 1841 British capture Whampoa
May 1841 Chinese counter-attack in Pearl River theatre of war
June 1841 British capture Canton
July 1841 Elliot replaced by Henry Pottinger
Aug 1841 Battle of Amoy
Oct 1841 British re-occupy Chusan
March 1842 Battle of Ningpo
March 1842 British capture Zhapu
June 1842 British capture Shanghai
July 1842 British win battle of Zhenjang (Chin Kinag)
August 1842 Treaty of Nanking - first of the "Unequal Treaties".
British gain possession of Hong Kong (in perpetuity).
1856 Second Opium War starts
1900 Boxer Rebellion
1997 Hong Kong returned to China
Sources used to produce this episode include:
"Queen Victoria's Little Wars" - Byron Farwell
"Britain's Forgotten Wars" - Ian Hernon
The National Army Museum
Wikipedia
Follow me at:
www.thehistorychap.com
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/ thehistorychap
My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.
History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or RU-vid animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"
Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

Опубликовано:

17 май 2024

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Комментарии : 594

@steveosborne2297 2 месяца назад

My great grandfather fought in the first opium war he was a sergeant in the 49th Regiment of foot and he was at the siege of Nanking . Fortunately the surrender and peace treaty was signed just before he had to go over the wall , almost a death sentence !

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Interesting family history. Thanks for sharing. Do you know where else he served?

@steveosborne2297 2 месяца назад

@@TheHistoryChap Yeah prior to that he spent about eight or 10 years in India and before that a similar period time in South Africa . He signed up in August 1818 in London and I believe he spent a year or two in their home barracks which was actually in Northern Ireland . In total he did 25 years before he was invalided out in 1843 . You can find his military records as he was a Chelsea pensioner his name was Jesse Osborne

@steveosborne2297 2 месяца назад

@@vapaus831 His memorial is with me but his grave is in Hackney in London

@alexiachimciuc3199 2 месяца назад

How old are you Steve Osborne?? If I may ask?

@EdwinaTS 2 месяца назад

Sounds like US Anglo-Saxon revisional history to me. To equate tea-addiction (a few days) to opiate-addiction (life time), to equate foreign soil opiate-ban with US domestic alcohol-prohibition, to equate Tea-Party at Boston Bay which was an act of defiance to Opium-destruction at Canton. A swipe at Chinese justice versus British justice on drunken sailors.

@LeslieDevoe 2 месяца назад

My full name is Leslie Waterman Devoe. I'm related to Captain Robert Waterman. He was the Captain of the Clipper Ship,Sea Witch. On which he set a record that still stands to this day. From Canton China to the South Street Sea Port, 23:00 Manhattan New York. He also holds the record for the Hong Kong to New York, record. (77 days). Very interesting video. I love your channel Chris is you do great things with it.

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Hi Leslie, what an incredible family history. Thanks so much for sharing. Also thanks for your ongoing support.

@LeslieDevoe 2 месяца назад

@@TheHistoryChap I am honored, thank you very much.

@formwiz7096 2 месяца назад

Bully Bob?

@LeslieDevoe 2 месяца назад

@@formwiz7096 That's the one.

@oysterman962 Месяц назад

Interesting. I once had a client who was a direct descendant of William Bligh of the mutineered ship, the HMS Bounty and later the Governor of the NSW Australia. When compared to portait paintings of Captain Bligh one can see he had the same prominent chin and nose of his infamous ancestor.

@HisSco1800 2 месяца назад

A fascinating and complex conflict. Thanks a lot for covering Chris.👍🏻

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

My pleasure. I'm glad you found it interesting.

@wilsontheconqueror8101 2 месяца назад

War is about land & money. Whoever wins can claim religious rights,& political freedoms later. But it's money. It's always about money.

@tedgreen6 2 месяца назад

The lust for money.

@scott2452 2 месяца назад

And security And pride And religion And reproduction And revenge And social status …conflicts are usually multifaceted.

@shannonkohl68 2 месяца назад

Frequently money plays a large role in a war. But the idea that "It's always about money" is clearly false. You should learn more about history.

@hocestbellumchannel 2 месяца назад

It's not about money, it's about resources and political power. Money is just a tool.

@scoutandastir 2 месяца назад

@@shannonkohl68 nah, it's really that simple. Everything else is a dog and poney to fool the bumpkins.

@CGM_68 2 месяца назад

I would be delighted if you would like to do a video (or mini series) on "Irish officers in the British Army". Most Irish people today forget that before 1920, any Irish men serving in the army, were doing so either in the British Army (or Navy for that matter) or those of one of her enemies. For example : Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, (1 May 1769 - 14 September 1852) was an Anglo-Irish soldier. Money, education and opportunities explain why 150,000 Irish people served in the British army between 1793 and 1815. Both French and Spanish armies welcomed the "Wild Geese" from 1585 to 1818. Not to mention the American, various South American, Austrian and Russian Armies though that's probably outside the scope of your channel.

@expatexpat6531 2 месяца назад

Some Irish still serve in the British armed forces - that option is strangely open to them. In contrast, now that Britain has left the EU, British citizens can no longer join the Irish armed forces (although I doubt many actually did).

@CGM_68 2 месяца назад

@@expatexpat6531 Irish armed forces circa 9 000. British armed forces well over 140,000. 1 000 of whom are possibly Irish. (Old stat from over 20 years ago)

@expatexpat6531 2 месяца назад

@@CGM_68 Interesting topic. The Irish defence budget is around 0.21% of GDP. If Ireland were to join NATO (there were apparently some discussions recently), they would have to increase expenditure 10fold in order for Trump to protect them 🙂. Biden would probably do it for less.

@CGM_68 2 месяца назад

@@expatexpat6531 well Ireland are desperately in need of a new fishery protection fleet. Not sure 2% of GPD will cover it. 12 Billion € would certainly be appreciated by the Irish navy.

@simonfowler698 2 месяца назад

@@expatexpat6531 😂 less! With all due respect do you really believe “the people” behind Biden (because I’m sure we can agree any career politician is not running on carisma) are doing anything for less & are any bit as ruthless in their quest for military dollars? Did you actually watch & understand this great video explaining the opium wars & relate it to today? Money pulls the strings & war is big fast money! Unfortunately more than slower peace time “good for everyone money” so guess who pushes through the policy? 🤷🏽‍♂️ I’m not pro Trump, just want to see a fair assessment. Personally I think Robert Kennedy Jr makes the most sense out of anyone

@nigelmattravers5913 2 месяца назад

I have lived in HK for more than 25 years and read many histories of the early conflicts, and this video is a great bringing together of all the aspects of the conflicts. Even though these events happened nearly 200 years ago they are still wheeled out by the Chinese administration as an example of Western behaviours that are continuing today in their view.

@OnlineEnglish-wl5rp 2 месяца назад

Of course when Chinese companies are caught selling fentanyl into America for years and it kills hundreds of thousands of people they are less concerned about moral behaviour. In fact they say "it's Americans' fault for buying drugs". But it wasn't their fault that Chinese middle men bought drugs off British traders and then sold it to their own people.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

thanks for watching my video & for taking the time to comment.

@harryshriver6223 2 месяца назад

Wow, such a fascinating subject, Chris and so well narrated by you. I have heard about the conflict in passing but had no idea of the depths it involved. Well done, amigo and bravo 👏 🙌 👍 I am looking forward to the next installment on your channel. 🎉

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

The next instalment will focus on the Taku Forts 1860. Coming later this week.

@peterbarker3433 2 месяца назад

Another wonderful and most informative production, Chris. Keep up the good work, cobber.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for your comment

@DarrenMarsh-kx8hd 2 месяца назад

Very well presented, looking forward to the next chapter.

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Coming later this week.

@brianivey73 2 месяца назад

A job well done sir. Love these areas of history that get forgotten with the passage of time. Love the channel

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching. Just in case you ahven't done so already, please do subscribe so you don't miss future videos.

@chuckabutty888 2 месяца назад

Well presented indeed far superior than listening to those dammed AI's

@davidfromkyushu6870 2 месяца назад

Thank you for making an informative and unbiased video on the topic which explains the war and its background.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for your comment & watching my video

@Sarah-JaneR32 2 месяца назад

Thank you for another informative video Chris

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Glad you enjoyed it.

@yzw3598 2 месяца назад

brilliant video very interesting

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Glad you enjoyed it. What would you like me to cover in the future?

@charlesmaschi3238 2 месяца назад

An episode about the Gough Family would be awesome.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Watch this space!

@Valhalla88888 2 месяца назад

Two companies in Hong Kong and both Scottish companies. Jardine Matheson was the main importer and exporter of the Opium Trade, at one stage they were the biggest trader of Opium the world had ever seen. The other Scottish bank that funded Jardine Matheson ships, was Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) founded by a Scotsman, and Jardine Matheson had directors before 1997 on the board of HSBC.

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching my video & for your comments.

@kennydalglish8072 2 месяца назад

Well done mr.Green, clear and concise as ever, loved it.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Glad you enjoyed it.

@QALibrary 2 месяца назад

I was not expecting a video today - I hope your trip to London went well

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for your support.

@jonnydepp8596 2 месяца назад

Just found you channel tonight, I’m a massive fan of mark felton, and history as a whole,and your channel is an equal of his work, 💯, brilliant stuff and can’t wait to watch all your videos 👍👍

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for watching my video. If you haven't already, please subscribe to my channel so you don't miss future videos

@olenievart 2 месяца назад

Thanks for the information, one of the best British military history RU-vid channels, enormous work.

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Thank you for taking the time to watch my video and also for your comments.

@BIGBUN34 28 дней назад

I would like to thank you for your knowledge and vocal skills. I Am disabled and house bound and finding your channel is very helpful for providing me.with something nice and interesting.To put in my time. Thank you very much.Allan

@TheHistoryChap 25 дней назад

Hi Allan, thank you very much for your kind comment and I am pleased that you are enjoying my episodes. Thanks for your support.

@richardmarahall8943 2 месяца назад

Been looking forward to this one, superb as ever. I found the subtitles a great help

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for your support too.

@theblackprince1346 2 месяца назад

Loved this video Chris. Yes to all the video ideas

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Glad you enjoyed it.

@derekp2674 2 месяца назад

Thanks Chris. It was great to learn about how we used to negotiate trade deals, long before the days of the EU and WTO. I would love to hear your accounts of all those family related VC medal winners. My late father was awarded the Civil Defence Long Service Medal, from his service as Science Officer to his county. Thankfully, the cold war never turned into WW3 so the county never needed his help to recover from nuclear attacks.

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Derek, thanks for sharing about your father. Your vote for another VC story also noted. Many thanks.

@GrandAdmThrawn 2 месяца назад

There is one nice scene in The Terror where Captain Fitzjames talks about his exploits during this war. Captain Crozier was not impressed 😆

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

thanks for watching my video.

@BootsontheTable 2 месяца назад

Fascinating as ever Chris. The way merchantile, empire and military interest was all tied together seems a regular theme of colonial ambition

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Yes, there are some common themes (and not just from the British).

@MarcDufresneosorusrex 2 месяца назад

and don't forget the French, we must not forget the French of course (Prince Faisal: Laurence of Arabia, 1963)

@andrewruddy962 20 дней назад

Thank you for making and sharing this video, brilliant. Seattle.

@TheHistoryChap 20 дней назад

Glad you enjoyed it!

@AlejandroGermanRodriguez 2 месяца назад

Hi Chris: Thanks for the videos. At some point in the past you briefly mentioned The Frankton Operation. That video hasn't materialized yet, right?

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Not yet. Everytime I cross a video off my list another 5 get suggested!

@stevepecket2535 2 месяца назад

As usual I'm watching in my corner in the pub. Came in early and was quiet so didn't put headphones in. By 5 mins in, there were 10 sat around me. Just shows that if intelligent content is available then there are people crying out for it. Great vid again Chris

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Wow. I am very grateful that you shared it with some of the other drinkers in the pub. Strangely enough, I started this whole History chap journey, because my friends said that I bought them stupid with my stories in the pub!

@kenkelble358 2 месяца назад

CHEERS FROM METAMORA OHIO USA..

@chrisdebeyer1108 2 месяца назад

Totally Brilliant and important clarification of what happened way back then that affects us all now. Many thanks. Much Appreciated.

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Pleased you enjoyed my video.

@free_gold4467 2 месяца назад

Fascinating as always, thank you.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks

@ianbell5611 2 месяца назад

Brilliant Thank you for researching and posting this video. Cheers

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Glad you enjoyed it. If you haven't already please subscribe to my channel so you don't miss future videos.

@plumstead3078 2 месяца назад

A young male relative of mine fought in the first opium war, he was 14 and a drummer boy.

@Mhow-ib6kq 2 месяца назад

God bless him

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for watching my video & for taking the time to share your family story

@michaeltownsend4644 2 месяца назад

Read the Cree Journals years ago and it captured my imagination much like your channel.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

thanks for your comment & for watching my video

@fedecano7362 2 месяца назад

This was an amazing presentation Chris. I think your voice is clear and your English accent elegant and easy to understand. I'm amazed about how eloquent the whole narration sounds. Can I ask you something? do you script the whole thing before hand or its more of an improvisation? Both cases deserve equal admiration cause this must be a few thousand words to write down and then read without committing any blunders if it was scripted and if it was not your knowledge on the subject is superb to be able to talk for 30min and form a cohesive history. Well I always enjoy your videos and I must admit British History is always interesting to me PS: the selection of pictures, drawings and maps is always welcome and Im sure you must do some research as well in order to find them

@Rowlph8888 2 месяца назад

That's not deliberate enunciation, it's just normal British RP, Which has spread to successful business sectors in many cities in England and sections of most universities, regardless of the local dialect and accent.It's not very rare any more, although definitely more prevalent amongst groups in the south-east.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Glad you enjoy my delivery & yes, I do script & I spend a lot of time recording & editing.

@MrBook123456 2 месяца назад

well made video keep them coming

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for watching my video & your comment.

@josephphoenix1376 2 месяца назад

Excellent Episode 👍 Please do additional episodes on VC award winners!

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching my video

@maltesimusfraterdemassimo7215 2 месяца назад

Funnily enough, despite the the very profitable trade with Opium and China, none of this stopped the BEIC from 'making red numbers'. They had barely avoided bankruptcy in 1773, then being 1.4 million pounds in debt, and the fiscal dilemma would only worsen: By 1808, the debt was at a staggering amount of 32 million pounds (and the Parliament Acts of 1813 and 1833 adressed the BEICs obligation to reduce their debt, in 1833 to 13 million pounds). A heavily contributing factor was their army, having multiplied by the factor 9 (roughly) between 1762 and 1805. In total numbers: Their army being at 18,000 manpower in size (1762) would rapidly grow, by 1782 at (arguably) over 100,000 men and by 1805, at 155,000-200,000 men in strength, although there is no historical consensus on the latter numbers. (estimations for the armys size in 1858 also vary between 250,000-350,000). By the time the Opium War came about in 1839, the BEIC had lost its trade monopoly with China via the Charter Act of 1833 (commonly referred to as the St Helena Act) and lost its trade RIGHTS in India altogether with the same act. Thus, they were merely a colonial administrator in the name of the Crown there.

@MarcDufresneosorusrex 2 месяца назад

BEIC ... sounds a lot like Manchurian Industrial Development Company 🤔

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

thank you for watching my video & your feedback

@user-tp1bi6of3v 2 месяца назад

Learned a great deal from this presentation! Well done and do the Gough family, as history is about people that make the events happen with the results to where we are today!

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for your comment & for watching my video

@jayfelsberg1931 2 месяца назад

The Goughs are a great story. Paddy was one of the heroes of "Flashman and the Mountain of Light," and was a colorful character, to say the least. The last one was involved in a near rebellion in Ulster prior to WWI, and was not the best general on the Western Front, to put it mildly.

@nomadpi1 2 месяца назад

"Flashman and the Mountain of Light" by McDonald?

@jayfelsberg1931 2 месяца назад

@@nomadpi1 The very one.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for watching my video & for taking the time to comment.

@johnchrysostomon6284 2 месяца назад

1:45 "One notable exception..." NO. They traded in silver which the Chinese wanted. But the problem was it would have draing the Brits of the precious metal.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thank you for taking the time to comment.

@postscript5549 Месяц назад

Thank you. Clear and informative.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Very kind of you. Thanks. If you haven't already, please do subscribe to my channel so you don't miss future episodes.

@Katmando376 2 месяца назад

Thank you chris for another very fascinating video. 🫖☕️

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

My pleasure. The 2nd Opium War will be coming soon.

@DeeplyStill 2 месяца назад

A piece on the wars between the various ‘company’s’ over spices like nutmeg from the Island of Run? (Do I have that right?) Your work is excellent. Keep it up!

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for your comment & for watching my video

@ninamarkovic4853 Месяц назад

Just discovered you! Excellent Sir!

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Glad you like my work. Please do subscribe to my channel so you don't miss future episodes.

@jdub6909 Месяц назад

That eas very informative thank you.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Very welcome

@kingenma8731 2 месяца назад

Narration is very good and the video has very well placed images to illustrate the story. Only thing its missing in my opinion is a little subtle background music to help the narration flow, would make it easier to listen to for the entire 30 minutes in my opinion

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Thanks for the suggestion. Interestingly others actually like the videos because they don’t have music!

@saifulsidek2724 2 месяца назад

Hello,new subscriber here....thanks to the great content.....

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for your support and for watching my video

@formwiz7096 2 месяца назад

Excellent presentation, fills a very important gap. Excellent map of China.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it.

@beardedraven7285 2 месяца назад

I would love to see all three videos.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for watching my video.

@ludwigderzanker9767 2 месяца назад

Thank you Chris for this fine made piece of history, I deeply enjoyed. And YES I need to get the Goughs ,both stories of course..The first time in my life I read the term opium was by Kipling in the short novel about the high water in the Ganges and the effect on the British constructor of the new bridge. I was 9 years old and I like it without really understanding. 😂Thought sometimes by myself the name Opium War was a slyly jab of propaganda against the UK by the Russians or maybe the French. Germany was at this time not existing. Great job Mein Lieber! Ludwig

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for watching my video & taking the time to share your comment.

@lucianob.278 2 месяца назад

We need more videos about british military families 19:31 🙏

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for the feedback & for watching my video

@briandownes6333 2 месяца назад

Mrs. D’s Great Uncle was General Sir Walter Congreve VC. Would love to see a Father Son VC video on him and his son Major Billy Congreve VC DSO MC. Both Rifle Brigade

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

On my list. Please subscribe so you don't miss.

@dougmphilly 2 месяца назад

Fantastic stuff

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Glad you enjoyed it.

@daniel-leejones8396 2 месяца назад

Why not do all a video of all 3 of your suggestions in whatever format works, you've earned my subscription through this video thoroughly explaining a part of Britain's history I am (was) quite unfamiliar with.

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Thanks for your support.

@sheenapearse766 2 месяца назад

A wonderful dissection of the details of the first Opium war , and the irony that it brought about no change to opium importation into China . In light of current concerns over China and Taiwan , and the ‘ importance ‘ of “ the rule of law “, I wonder how many people in the West are aware how the “ rule of law “ applied in 1839 , and the ‘ justice’ of the treaty of Nanking , or of Chinese perceptions of the “ Century of Humiliation “ manifest in the ‘ Unfair treaties ‘ . One could be excused for seeing the Opium wars as nothing more than good old unabashed western imperial colonialism - and it is to be hoped that another war with China does not also arise , on the basis of pride .

@peterc4082 2 месяца назад

It's not possible for Britain to fight China as it can't even fight Yemen. However, we may see the US defend Taiwan and there is a high chance of WW3 in the Pacific occurring in the next few years. Britain's imperial days are long gone and it's all going one way now, down.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for watching my video and for your feedback

@dandy2111 25 дней назад

Excelente video, y excelente lectura. Sin música ni ruídos de fondo que perturben el relato. Muchas gracias, Sr.Green. (Me suscribo).

@TheHistoryChap 25 дней назад

Thanks for your support.

@icecoffee1361 2 месяца назад

Fab episode 👍

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for watching my video

@Calum_S 2 месяца назад

Largely forgotten about here, but still a sore point in China. Like a lot of Imperial history, i suppose.

@Rowlph8888 2 месяца назад

No, the Brits are lucky That it's always the latest atrocity that dominates cultural perception and memory. interrviews with random Chinese people shows overwhelmingly that the only nation they have any resentment against is Japan, and this maybe also because of the perception that they are still denying any atrocities occurring. it's the same thing with Hitler versus Napoleon. if we go back to the mid-19th-century, I'll bet there was harboured resentment against the French in a lot of countries in continental Europe, which was then replaced by resentment againsst the Germans and the Russians after World War II

@tekinfomedi 2 месяца назад

@@Rowlph8888 Agree. That was why some talking heads in the 1990s urged against human-rights preaching by the West. Too many not-so-nice incidents. Of course non-Westerners were hardly ideal role models but the difference was that they did not pretend as if they always had a nice track record. Much of the sore points would at most be an academic interest if not for the human-rights preaching.

@brucegibbins3792 2 месяца назад

Time can smooth out the hatred and hurt British Imperialism caused the people in the countries that they, their culture and religion subjugated from the ambitions of the worlds only super power of the time. To believe that no resentment by colonized people towards the British colonisders does not reflect what is actually real. In several countries that were irreparably changed by Colonization. Generations of once colonized peoples react differently to this fact of history in different ways. Accepting the inevitable changes forced on local people from both European and British olonization. Asian peoples pragmatic acceptance of a colonisers overwhelming might brought about a response that included figuring out was to benefit from this changed reality forced upon them. Around the Empire this was not always how it was. The world has dramatically changed and China now has the second largest GDP behind the United States. The British are at number seven. Yet their strength is in the world of finance and now a a military build up valued in the billions of dollars organized to react to Chinese military ambitions in support of taking back Taiwan after Chinese Nationalists retreated their in reaction to the communist revolution on the mainland in 1948. China going to war to get it back could kick off a great unpleasantness the region - perhaps the World, may never recover from.

@OnlineEnglish-wl5rp 2 месяца назад

Be in no doubt, undiluted hatred towards Britain about all this is inculcated in Chinese people by the CPC through the education system. If we get into a war with them over Taiwan, they are not going to miss their chance to get their own back and that won't be limited to operations in the Taiwan strait. It will include cyber and submarine attacks on critical infrastructure here as well with potentially devastating results. Of course when the Chinese are caught selling fentanyl into America for years and it kills hundreds of thousands of people they are less concerned. In fact they say "it's Americans' fault for buying drugs". But it wasn't their fault that Chinese middle men bought drugs off British traders and then sold it to their own people. The Chinese also go beserk when reminded that they have their own record of imperialism to account for right up to the present day

@OnlineEnglish-wl5rp 2 месяца назад

@@Rowlph8888 That's not true. I worked for Chinese universities and the events of the 19th century are being emphasised over and over in special lectures that ALL the students have to attend. They are consciously inculcating hatred in them. Of course when the Chinese are caught selling fentanyl into America for years and it kills hundreds of thousands of people they are less concerned. In fact they say "it's Americans' fault for buying drugs". But it wasn't their fault that Chinese middle men bought drugs off British traders and then sold it to their own people.

@pjmichaelsrocksyou 2 месяца назад

Great video.

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Glad you enjoyed it

@ceciljohnrhodes4987 2 месяца назад

Ah, excellent topic.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Glad you enjoyed it & thanks for watching.

@mikeclarke952 2 месяца назад

Well done, thank you. Maybe next you could do the Oatmeal Wars, when Quaker Oats battled Kellogs to rule the breakfast cereal market? (is joke)

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Glad you enjoyed it.

@billevans7936 2 месяца назад

Awesome, another.....cool❤

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Thank you very much. Appreciate your ongoing support.

@furqanabdullah7208 2 месяца назад

Would love to see a video on the Goughs💜

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

They are fascinating, and I will put something together about them

@grigorirasputin9507 2 месяца назад

The East India Co. never ceased to exist, it just moved operations into behind the scenes government agencies throughout the West. In the matter regarding opium, these same situations occurred in Afghanistan as well, well into modern times. Most recently, the Western powers have been greatly upset that the taliban was destroying poppy crops across the country, ... why would they be upset about that? (very curious) The reasons they have stated, are far from the truth... stating they are concerned it will lead to higher production and distribution of synthetic alternatives... There is also talk/whispers that most of the farmers were being paid by Western governments to grow poppy, and to not grow other crops (such as food) So much which is never openly discussed, and most of the Western populations have zero knowledge of, or even an opportunity to hear about to form their own thoughts or opinions. More often than not, when I make such comments they are deleted or hidden from view of other users... once in a while they're "allowed" I and others have been keeping very precise track and documenting of every instance for future use, to be submitted as extremely strong evidence.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for watching my video & for your feedback.

@jameswilliams1085 2 месяца назад

As my Grandmother said " Never take the STORY out of HiSTORY". You've got It so right Sir!!!

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Very kind of you. If you havent already, please do subscribe to my channel so you don't miss future stories.

@DeeplyStill 2 месяца назад

Is the Boxer revolt a facet of this tension?

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

50 years later, yes.

@hetty43 2 месяца назад

Excellent. To this day there is a Gough Barracks in Armagh City Northern Ireland. It’s a significant Police base and was well known in the Troubles era. It was previously a military barracks where the Royal z Irish Fusiliers were based. Few would know the connection of Gough with China or Hong Kong. Many people from Northern Ireland would work in Hong Kong with British Army tours of duty or serve in Royal Hong Kong Police. Mountpottinger well known name in East Belfast. Excellent video. Thanks.

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching my video.

@maxyourgrowth9612 2 месяца назад

Great reminder of how history is just thaught in 1000s of ways, often in the way most useful to the victors from then or those in power now..

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Thank you for watching my video.

@danawinsor1380 2 месяца назад

Thank you for this excellent documentary. The subject is interesting and the narration is clear and pleasant to listen to. One comment: the first syllable of the name "Roosevelt" rhymes with "rose," not "news." BTW, "Roosevelt" means "rose field" in Dutch.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for watching my video & for your comments.

@kkupsky6321 2 месяца назад

Imagine having to choose between tea or opium. Impossible. Lovely bouquet when combined. Mmmm. I miss opium.

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching my video.

@carlbirtles4518 Месяц назад

Definitely tea for me. STAY OFF DRUGS!

@Johnny-sj9sj Месяц назад

@@carlbirtles4518Love the Poppy! I can resist anything except temptation! 🫠 PS: A terrific book about this subject; 'Smoke and Ashes' by Amitav Ghosh.

@rutabagasteu 2 месяца назад

All three ideas sound interesting; however, I have never heard of that father / son VC combination.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for your comment & for watching my video.

@billevans7936 2 месяца назад

All Three Please❤

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

thanks for your comment & for watching my video

@christopherhahn6728 2 месяца назад

Attitudes towards drugs like opium were different in the 1830s than they are today. A few, like the Quakers would have found their use immoral, at least for recreational purposes, but a good Christian man like William Wilberforce used laudanum, alcohol mixed with opium, up until he died to treat his stomach disorder. Even in the late 1800s, cocaine was used by respectable middle-class people, even to treat fussy babies. As long as people didn't become addicts, their usage wouldn't even be much discouraged any more than a glass of wine with dinner would be discouraged as long as the drinker didn't become a drunkard. This idea that Britain was some kind of Pablo Escobar state is anachronistic. Thank you for noting the free trade issues which were at the center of the conflict.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for watching my video & for your interesting comment

@Dav1Gv Месяц назад

Very interesting. An interesting coincidence - I was in the TA in the ROYAL Berkshire Regiment and my father was an officer in 4th Bn Border Regiment in WW2 until his division was broken up to form Second Chindit Expedition when he was transferred to REME serving on the Arakan.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for watching my video & for taking the time to share your family story.

@cjsmithdo 2 месяца назад

Thanks!

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for watching my video and for your donation

@CrichtonNo5 2 месяца назад

Great video, goes into the nuances of the conflict and doesn't spare the British from their faults. Wee note from a Scotsman though - Jardine is pronounced "Jar-din". Not "Jard-deen". And Gough if pronounced "Gof", not "Guf." Yeh, I know, non-english names are hard to get right, eh?

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Wee note completely accepted. Thanks for taking the time to watch and give feedback. If you haven't already, please subscribe to my channel so you don't miss the 2nd Opium War.

@tonyt7948 2 месяца назад

The Chinese had and still have many more faults than Britain

@ashleysaunders9947 2 месяца назад

Europe and America, fundamental designs, where always trade. The French occupied Vietnam in the 19th century, and were cast out in the early 20th century Subsequently the Americans filled the void.Using fear of communism as a reason for occupation But that was a ruse to fool American people about the real reason . Arms dealers got even richer .

@vintagecapgunsatyourmomshouse 2 месяца назад

In 1834 Lord Auckland wrote the Amir of Afghanistan: "My friend, you are aware that it is not the practice of the British government to interfere with the affairs of Independent states' As Byron Farwell said: "No statesman ever penned a greater lie"

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Thanks for your feedback

@allanburt5250 2 месяца назад

Brilliant

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Glad you enjoyed it.

@Trebor74 2 месяца назад

People remember opium dens but forget it was also used as a painkiller.

@peterc4082 2 месяца назад

It is still used as a pain killer, just in either a more refined form or in a modified stronger form - hence the term OPIOID and OPIATE.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

thanks flr watching my video & your comment

@mitch7235 2 месяца назад

This is very nice! I’m not super on modern history (anything past the 1600s are not my thing), but I make some exception for things like this. Good material on the modern Eastern part of the world. 👍🏻😄

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

@londonbudgetgardner5205 2 месяца назад

Excellent video It still shapes China’s perspective.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for watching my video

@csmatyi 2 месяца назад

Do the video on the VC recipients!!!

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Thanks for our comments

@reynardthefox 2 месяца назад

very good Chris, I knew very little about the Opium Wars...thanks for the education...Gough in the Sikh Wars could be interesting.. also the Anglo-Irish officers in the British Army...

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Sikh Wars are on the cards. I need to find a magic formula to create more hours in the day!

@ragnarl9130 2 месяца назад

Fantastic video,, please do the Guff video

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Will do

@jmc7034 2 месяца назад

Would like to hear more about the VC’s

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for your comment & for watching my video

@chrismac2234 2 месяца назад

I recommend the book and series 'getting our way' a history of diplomacy and how it impacted Britain. There is a section on this

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Thanks for sharing.

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching my video and for your comments.

@gregthompson3274 2 месяца назад

My city, Melbourne,Australia, took its name from Lord Melbourne

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for your feedback & for watching my video

@robnewman6101 2 месяца назад

Very Dangerous Period Times! Tragic too!

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for watching my video & for your comment

@robnewman6101 Месяц назад

You're welcome.

@nathanappleby5342 2 месяца назад

Not just the Opium Wars, the concentration camps in the Boer War and the behaviors of British forces in America and Spain in the Revolutionary and Peninsular Wars. Another good video as always. I'd be open to a video on the Goughs. Fighting a war over trading of a drug, how shameful, as was the Boer War over gold! Learned a lot in this, keep up the good work!

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Many thank Nathan

@peterc4082 2 месяца назад

You learned this only now? Afrikaaners still resent the "soutpielle". But the Boers were very effective against the Brits, One Boer was worth a dozen Red Coats. Their superiority was second to none. Well they had home advantage.

@nathanappleby5342 2 месяца назад

@@peterc4082 I knew about the conflict before but because of this video I learned a lot more. Chris is great at what he does. The Boers taught the British valuable lessons in the Second Boer War which they used in the First World War against the Germans.

@peterc4082 2 месяца назад

@@nathanappleby5342Afrikaaners still resent the Brits for this. When the English couldn't fight the Boers fairly they turned on their women and children.

@nathanappleby5342 2 месяца назад

It was horrible for sure and the Nazis would use the concentration camps inspired by the British in the Boer War on the "undesirables" of Europe. The British should never have done what they did, but they made it clear they were willing to use whatever means necessary to end the war in their favor.

@jaymurray6051 2 месяца назад

Strange enough the only thing I know about these wars was by playing the game Bioshock infinite. Wasn’t Hong Kong one of the greatest cities in china until the British gave it back I’ve heard stories on how that city has gone backwards so to speak ?

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

thanks' for your feedback

@RJ-lk6qn 2 месяца назад

I live in India and we have a Gough Road in the city I live in and had no idea who it was named after. Possibly one of the army family you mention. It would be useful to know more. The road is in the cantonment area too.

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching my video. The road could have been named after General Hugh Gough VC or Charles Gough VC his brother. Thanks for your comments.

@RJ-lk6qn 2 месяца назад

@@TheHistoryChap thank you. Looked it up. It was Charles Gough

@fedecano7362 2 месяца назад

yey Im sure watching this to-nite!

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

I hope that you enjoy it. Tell me what you think afterwards.

@romanbrough 2 месяца назад

I have an account written by a retired RN officer who as a young officer fought in this war. Effectively the Chinese soldiers simply did not stand and fight. They usually fired a single volley, then ran. He doesn't speculate why, he just reported it as a fact. So small British forces repeatedly defeated much larger Chinese forces and seize fortresses.

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

That’s an interesting insight. Can you remember if you read that in a book?

@romanbrough 2 месяца назад

@@TheHistoryChap If I recall correctly, it was the collected edition of Boys Own Paper, from perhaps 1897. It was a weekly magazine that was also sold as a big, hardback edition of 52 copies. Reading it was like going back in time. A totally different world

@jeremybeard272 2 месяца назад

The tea chucked into the harbour in the Boston tea party was supplied by the British East India Company.

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Thanks for your feedback

@davyaldy76 2 месяца назад

Yes to all the suggestions you made. Yes please.

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Please do make sure that you’ve subscribed to my RU-vid channel, so you don’t miss future videos. Plenty on the way

@davyaldy76 2 месяца назад

@@TheHistoryChap done. I thought I was subscribed already but I checked and am glad I did so.

@dougspray7160 Месяц назад

Unbelievable. This historian at the beginning talks about opium as just another product to trade. It must be faced this trade and wars was the lowest and most disgraceful period in British history with of course our involvement in the Slave trade and India of equal infamy. As Gladstone commented May God forgive England. for this despicable trade.

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for your feedback

@jayfelsberg1931 2 месяца назад

As I understand it, the Chinese found few western goods they were interested in (firearms being a notable exception), and insisted on silve for tea. Then cam opium, which was grown in abundance in British India, Turkey, etc. And so t went....

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Isn't that sort of what I said in the video?

@ponchopower 2 месяца назад

Somehow modern police is able to find a kilo inside a dime bag technology has become so much more advanced

@TheHistoryChap 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching my video and your comments.

@carlbirtles4518 Месяц назад

Modern police use sniffer dogs to detect drugs.

@StuartArm-bi2cj 2 месяца назад

What especially intrigued me on this one was the role of parliament. A few votes the other way could have easily affected another story. I wonder how many other close parliamentary decisions have had big impacts on our history?

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

Thanks for watching my video & your interesting comment

@edwinwhitaker5679 2 месяца назад

As you were referring to Sir Charles Gough and Sir Henry Gough, who were both awarded the Victoria Cross, I am genealogically linked to Euston Henry Sartorius and Reginald William Sartorius, who liķe the Goughs, were another pair of Victoria Cross awards. Euston received his V.C. for defending a hill during The Second Anglo- Afghan War on the 24th October,1879 (at Shahjui, Afghanistan). Reginald was awarded his V.C. for trying to rescue a non commissioned Housa officer who had been mortally wounded on the 17th January, 1874, at Abogu, (now Ghana).

@TheHistoryChap Месяц назад

thanks for watching my video & for your feedback