First Opium War - Gunboat Diplomacy - Extra History - Part 3

📜 The First Opium War - Part 3 - Extra History
The British responded to the Chinese halting their ships by erecting a blockade outside Canton. They fired a warning shot to turn back a private British merchant ship, the Royal Saxon, which attempted a blockade run, and the Chinese sent out their own navy to defend the runner. They were demolished. The British had better ships and better firepower. They made to discuss a treaty, but the Chinese refused to give in to the British demands regarding ownership of Hong Kong. The British moved on to capture Chusan, an island near Shanghai. Then a rumor prompted them to believe that China planned to strike against them, so they acted pre-emptively and kicked off the Battle of Chuenpee. Again they won, but the slaughter was so horrifying that Superintendent Elliot was glad to seek a peace treaty with the emperor's envoy, Qishan. Finally, Qishan agreed to give up Hong Kong, to give the British better trade status, in exchange for which Britain returned the land they'd taken. But Elliot's supervisor back in London, Lord Palmerston, felt the treaty didn't go far enough, especially since it didn't re-establish opium trading rights. And the Emperor found Qishan's capitulation disgraceful, even threatened to have him hanged for it. What had looked like moderate wins for both sides suddenly threatened to fall apart.

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[cavc]

I look for more information about Elliot and hey, he is now one of my favourite historical figures. Before arriving China he was involved in the abolition of slavery in Guiana. And after China he tried to abolish slavery in Texas and to make peace with Mexico. He seems like a decent human being, specially considering the age he lived.

[John-chwv]

After he was fired, Charles Elliot was transferred to a post in the Republic of Texas, which was the 1840's equivalent of being transferred to Antarctica. While there he succeed in negotiating a treaty of recognition and peace between Mexico and Texas which was to be guaranteed by France and Great Britain. However, the Texas Congress threw it out in favor of Annexation to the United States.

[gabrielbrennan]

"Don't worry he lived, he's fine." XD I'm glad though

[HalfTangible]

Elliot is one of my favorite historical figures covered in Extra History, and this video perfectly encapsulates why. He's not eager to spill blood by any means, but he's also not spineless. Wedged between duty to his country and the ideals of that country, he picks the ideals, but does not entirely betray his duty. He's been put in a shitty position by his superiors and is trying to make the best of it. The British come first in his eyes, but the Chinese are still people.

It's rare to see a guy that committed to doing the right thing in the face of so much wrong.

[gummihu]

Wow if Qishan is fine he must be the longest living person in the world

[Mathmachine]

So basically...two people that are against war make the absolute best deal possible to avoid war...and their bosses are pissed because they didn't get all the things? ...These sound like really smart leaders to me...

[joshn]

Why are good people who avoid war & bloodshed looked down upon by their leaders even today?

[Optimusprime]

I believe that the shining example of a military officer is men like Captain Elliot. A moral man, who always looks to end the bloodshed quickly. But ALSO is loyal to his country, and more than willing to lead on the frontlines against the foes of his people. Captain Elliot should be honored for being an amazing wartime officer and negotiator, and a man too good for the leaders he had.

[hoodiesticks]

To me this series is about cultural differences at their absolute worst. It's a rare case of two countries on completely opposite ends of the globe forced by economics to interact with each other, and nobody knows how. They both think of each other as being vastly inferior savages, and the people that actually understand both sides are expelled for being irrational. You can see this playing out even as early as the kowtow debacle that started things off.

[oskarrasmussen]

The fact that the Empire has a new super advanced and powerful warship named 'Nemesis' is incredibly space opera-esque

[FelixIakhos]

It always baffles me how these seemingly impossible combinations of unfortunate circumstances errupt in an all-out war.

[Fatortu]

knock knock
It's the United Kingdom
with huge boats, with guns, (gunboats)

"Open the country.
Stop having it be closed"
said the United Kingdom

[ethanjames]

As a Brit, I've heard of the Opium War, but I was mostly ignorant to it. It's not really something we are taught much about in school. Whenever it's mentioned it's usually a brief 'We won, end of story'.
Having watched these videos, I can see why it probably isn't taught. It's most likely shame. Not exactly a heroic part of our history. I knew the British Empire was by no means a force for good, but yes, this is certainly not something I can be proud of my history for. I know there were faults on both sides and we shouldn't apply the morals of today to history, but it still stings to hear some of this stuff.
Very glad for the video though, it's something that we should know and learn from.

[grfrjiglstan]

But who could have been captain of the Royal Saxon, the ship that ignited the battle that - Walpole. It was Walpole.

[ocadioan]

You should include Queen Victoria's letter to her uncle King Leoppold of Belgium when you do the lies. It illustrates the attitude of the English at home:

"The Chinese business vexes us much, and Palmerston is deeply mortified at it. All we wanted might have been got, if it had not been for the unaccountably strange conduct of Charles Elliot ... who completely disobeyed his instructions and tried to get the lowest terms he could. [...] The attack and storming of the [Chuenpee] Forts on the 7th of January was very gallantly done by the Marines, and immense destruction of the Chinese took place. The accounts of the cruelty of the Chinese to one another are horrible. Albert is so much amused at my having got the Island of Hong Kong, and we think Victoria ought to be called Princess of Hong Kong in addition to Princess Royal".

[extrahistory]

The stand-off outside Canton soon devolves into war. Unfortunately for China, firepower favors the British.

[Grizabeebles]

That bit at the very end makes me wonder how the REAL Walpole would feel about being reduced to cartoon villain status in a web series seen weekly by hundreds of thousands of people.

[williamheayn]

but how could all the peaceful souls be taken

[Handle]

Asian History is SO interesting man, it's really awesome

[timothymclean]

I love how similar the two empires and their officials are. That bit at the end where the diplomats work out a deal where nobody loses much, pissing off their bosses and losing their jobs, was a perfect summation of this.