Recording-2025-02-12T16:38:19.887Z

Overview of Upcoming Topics

• Focus: The Opium War and the Canton System of Trade

• Preparation: Look over key terms and short answer questions for the quiz on Friday

• Additional Reading: Silence - Start reading over the weekend to familiarize with Japanese names and Jesuit terminology

The Canton System of Trade

• Initial Context: The Chinese were not interested in European goods; the British had to trade silver for tea and silk

• Canton System: Allows limited trade at Canton; established under the Qing Dynasty with strict regulations

• Chinese Trade Central: Chinese customs controlled trade and prioritized their goods over foreign imports

• British Dilemma: The British had to find something valuable to trade with China to offset the outflow of silver

Introduction of Opium

• Opium's Arrival: Came into China around the Tang Dynasty, initially for medicinal use

• Medicinal Usage: Opium used for calmness, tension headaches; not initially addictive

• Change in Consumption: In the 1600s, opium began to be mixed with tobacco and smoked, leading to higher addiction rates

• Production and Trade: British established a monopoly on opium trade, primarily from Patna and Malwa in India

Opium's Impact on Trade

• Shift in Trade Balance: By 1826, opium became a primary product sold by British to counter import costs of tea

• Opium Trade Explosion: In 1838-1839, the British exported over 40,000 chests of opium to China

• Opium Addiction: By the 1830s, an estimated 2 to 10 million opium smokers in China

Key Participants in the Opium Trade

• British East India Company: Dominated opium production and distribution; facilitated illegal trade with Chinese merchants

• American Involvement: American traders shipped large quantities of Malay opium into China, significantly contributing to the trade volume

The Opium War

• Immediate Causes: The British continued to smuggle opium into China despite Chinese attempts to prohibit it

• Commissioner Lin Zexu's Actions: Sent to enforce prohibition, wrote to Queen Victoria about the moral implications

• Hostilities Erupt: Conflict began in 1839, resulting in the First Opium War between British forces and the Qing Dynasty

Consequences of the Opium War

• Treaty of Nanjing (1842): Ended the First Opium War

  • Major Terms:

  • British gained control of Hong Kong

  • Five major ports opened for foreign trade

  • Establishment of extraterritoriality for British citizens in China

  • China forced to pay for destroyed opium

• Long-Term Implications: China forced into unequal trade agreements; significant societal impacts due to widespread addiction

Social Impact of Opium in China

• Spread of Addiction: Initially among the elite, it later permeated various social classes, leading to widespread societal issues

• Economic Effects: Families impoverished due to spending on opium; inflation and economic strain on the lower class

Conclusion and Future Classes

• Next Class: Discussion on Japan following the Opium War

• Further Reading: Chapter 26 recommended for understanding the aftermath of the Opium Wars and further historical context.