The character of the First Opium War

The arrival of the British gunboats in Chinese waters in 1840 marked the beginning of the Opium War

• The war on land was largely a matter of siege and counter-siege, with Chinese forces obliging Westerners to take refuge in the foreign settlements only for British troops to break the sieges, free the beleaguered Westerners, and in turn force the Chinese to take shelter in their own areas.

• Although Chinese forces often resisted courageously their weapons and equipment did not match those of the British. The steamships, which had a draft of less than two fathoms, were able to sail many miles inland, upriver, outmanoeuvre the slow-moving Chinese junks and blast then with superior cannon power. In land, the British forces we equipped with rifles whose quick-loading mechanisms, long range, and relative accuracy were of immense advantage over the flintlock muskets carried by the Chinese.

• The British made a point of capturing vital warehouses ad river barges in which the silver raised in taxes was stored, thus denying the Chinese the ability to pay their soldiers and fund the war effort.

• In June 1849, a British fore largely made up of troops from the British Indian army sent form Singapore arrived by sea to put Canton and other ports and towns under siege.

• A fleet of 25 steam ships armed with cannon bombarded the coastal forts on China’s east coast and up the Yangzi and Peral Rivers.

• In 1842, reinforcements increased Britain’s strength to the point where it was able to capture the Bogue forts, which commanded the entrance of the pearl river delta. By the summer of that year, the British forces were in a position to seize the key city of Shanghai, a defeat which obliged the Chinese to make peace.

What does the description of Charles Elliot’s first skirmish with the Qing junks tell us about British attitudes to the Opium War?

The British attitude appeared as inept and over-mighty as they demanded supplies expecting the Qing to simply hand over theses provisions. Therefore, they can appear ignorant to China’s stubbornness unlike previous nations the British had plundered.

Why did war not erupt at the end of 1839?

The British supply expenses had been raised and Lin and Elliot had come to a compromise over the extent at which the amount of cargo brought in by the British had to be searched and confiscated – if it was pure opium.

What was the ‘surprising gesture’ that Qing officials took when the hostilities began once again?

The Qing grew wary of the forces of Britian thus telling the Chinese people to be ready to defend and arm themselves in case of an attack which was a surprising gesture.

What events led to the Charles Elliot’s negotiations with Qishan?

After Elliot arrived in June 1840 at Canton and created a blockade in Ningbo and seized an island off the Zhejiang coast creating sea traffic in the Yangzi region.

Why was Palmserston so enraged with C. Elliot actions?

Palmerston was furious with Elliot over his actions and for not exacting better terms with the Chinese as he agreed to accept only $6 million and be welcomed back into Canton in 10 days.

How did the British troops respond to the actions of the chinese militia?

The British destroyed Bogue Forts and sunk Chinese junks whilst occupying the sections of Canton as a result of the Chinese militia killing and wounding British soldiers in the countryside.

Do you think the contributions of the reinforcements from India payed an important role in Britain’s victory in the Opium War?

I believe the reinforcements from India can be seen as crucial as previously, despite Britain still seeming strong and determined, they never seemed to put China back in its place completely yet due to having better support from India they were strong enough to combat Chinese retaliation allowing them to do nothing.

Why were the Chinese forced to accept the terms of the Treaty of Nanking in 1842?

The Chinese were forced to sign the Treaty of Nanking in 1842 as the British had blocked the Grand Canal and lower Yangzi further pushing Qing’s requests taking up attack positions outside the walls on August 5^th meaning the Chinese had to surrender as a result of being unable to fight against the height of the British forces.