This is in no way a justification, but the Chinese at the time were astonishingly arrogant in dealing with other nations (unlike today, of course). They refused to trade commodities and demanded payment in gold for everything (in the case of the British, tea).
The Brits realized that this was unsustainable and pondered solutions. At the same time India was producing a surplus of opium (which was legal at the time there). Hmmm... maybe the Chinese would trade tea for opium? But first, the demand had to be created... and so the East India Company began shipping opium into China, which - surprise! - took off. And suddenly the Company could trade opium for tea! Problem solved!
For whatever reason the Chinese Imperial government objected to this and attempted to ban opium. Which worked as well as such ban have throughout history. And so, what shreds of the central authority that existed in the ports tried to confiscate and destroy incoming shipments. Which is why the British government decided to get involved and "solve" the East India Company's "problem." And the Royal Navy and British Army actually went to war to force the Chinese to allow free trade.
And I don't see that "we" (meaning the nations of the world) really are acting in a more enlightened manner... aside, of course, for our high sounding rhetoric.
This is in no way a justification, but the Chinese at the time were astonishingly arrogant in dealing with other nations (unlike today, of course). They refused to trade commodities and demanded payment in gold for everything (in the case of the British, tea).
The Brits realized that this was unsustainable and pondered solutions. At the same time India was producing a surplus of opium (which was legal at the time there). Hmmm... maybe the Chinese would trade tea for opium? But first, the demand had to be created... and so the East India Company began shipping opium into China, which - surprise! - took off. And suddenly the Company could trade opium for tea! Problem solved!
For whatever reason the Chinese Imperial government objected to this and attempted to ban opium. Which worked as well as such ban have throughout history. And so, what shreds of the central authority that existed in the ports tried to confiscate and destroy incoming shipments. Which is why the British government decided to get involved and "solve" the East India Company's "problem." And the Royal Navy and British Army actually went to war to force the Chinese to allow free trade.
And I don't see that "we" (meaning the nations of the world) really are acting in a more enlightened manner... aside, of course, for our high sounding rhetoric.
We're both just transmitting what we read, not pronouncing judgment.
Yes, but according to the progressive rules, mentioning a subject means endorsing it.
At least, if one is not on the left.
I don't use notes because I find them to be a time-sink like other social media.