First Opium War - Conflagration and Surrender - Extra History - Part 4

📜 The First Opium War - Part 4 - Extra History
Disappointed in the treaty, the Daoguang Emperor replaced Qishan with three new commanders. One of them wanted to buy time and modernize the army, but the Emperor insisted the British be repelled immediately. They assaulted Canton from across the river, firing cannons and sailing fireships at the British fleet. Their efforts fell far short, and soon the British controlled the river again. The Chinese were forced to pay them an indemnity to leave Canton, but in their wake riots and looting plagued the city anyway. Elliot still led the British forces, but upon returning to Hong Kong, he learned that he was now being replaced. His replacements had no interest in the compromises he'd tried to establish. They pushed immediately toward Beijing. In each new fort they captured, they found evidence that the Chinese resistance had ironically been weakened by crippling opium addiction. As the Chinese attacks grew more desperate, British retaliation grew more brutal. Finally, they stood ready to seize Nanking. With it would come control of the Yangtze River on which all of China depended, so the Emperor was forced to negotiate. They had no bargaining power, and gave the British nearly everything they wanted: a huge indemnity, new trade ports, no more Hong monopoly, generous tariffs, consulates, and sovereignty over Hong Kong. The only two matters they refused were Christian missionaries and legalizing opium, but the latter would only lead to the Second Opium War with similar results. These "unequal treaties" would go down in Chinese history as the beginning of what the Communist government later called "The Century of Humiliation." The specter of this shame and forced subservience to European interests continue to shape politics today, as this history is often invoked or used as a rallying cry during dealings with the West.

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[Mathmachine]

So Elliott, how as your day?

"Well I was in a typhoon, shipwrecked, swam several miles, was nearly caught by my country's enemy, and when I reached shore I was told I had lost my position."

...And here I thought I had a bad day.

[deeptiboddapati]

Indian communities were effected by this too. Indian farmers were forced to farm only opium on their land, and not crops that they could eat. The British would trap them into predatory debt spirals to keep them dependent on Opium farming.

Because everyone was farming opium food prices skyrocketed and it caused famines.

People who couldn't pay would be forced to sell themselves into indentured servitude to the British. they would be taken on long harrowing voyages in terrible conditions to places like Marutius.

To experience more of the Indian perspective in the opium wars, I'd recommend the historical fiction novel Sea of Poppies.

[Redentor]

Everyone:"Pablo Escobar was the biggest and more dangerous drug dealer ever."
The British Empire: Hold my poppies.

[ErokowXiyze]

It's weird. I get so excited for these episodes, and all I want to do during them is get to the end; to know it all... then it ends and I feel sad. Sad that it's over, and sad for all the people harmed in the events covered.
You guys are awesome. Thank you.

[grfrjiglstan]

Moral of this story: When Britain is low on money, bad things happen. Everywhere.

[bosscascade]

I've learned so much more on this channel then I have in school.

[emeralddragon]

Am I the only one reflecting on the fact that the entire reason this series exists is because some gamemakers decided their money was more wisely spent on teaching history related to their game? I mean, think about that for a second; if they had chosen not to do that, chances are we wouldn't know as much as we now do about the histories of Japan, China, the UK, of Germany and Korea, and in the Middle East! All told, it's pretty trippy to think about.

[thhighwayman]

Charles: "Okay, so I worked out a pretty good deal for both us and the Chinese, how do you feel about that?"

Palmerston: "You're fired."

-

Qishan: "Okay, so I worked out a pretty good deal for both us and the Chinese, how do you feel about that?"

Emperor: "You're fired, and executed."

[TumblinWeeds]

Wish I could upvote twice for the last section. Few westerners realize how impactful the Opium Wars are on modern day Chinese politics. One of the major ways the communist party has been able to maintain control is by saying “it’s us against the world” and “last time they bullied us. This time, we can negotiate.” The opium wars are used as an example of how the greedy west values money over human suffering, and that the only countries that get a say are the ones with the biggest guns. This one of the reasons for china’s aggressive foreign policy. It is, more than anything, a show for the Chinese people that China cannot be trampled over again.

[paulosetoguti]

Because this is what happens when you fire a polite and civilized gentleman just like me.

[realsushrey]

The message at the end is the mark of a good contant creator. Not taking sides, stating as things were and putting a healing touch on the wounds of history. Great job.

[ListersHatsune]

it's odd that, as a mixed race Hong Kong chinese/Scottish person, that I'm actually a product of these wars.

[DezzieYT]

I never knew the deep impact the losses the Chinese suffered during the Opium Wars still resonated to this day. Suddenly so much of Chinese policy towards the West and its efforts in the region make a lot more sense.

[ggkproductions]

4:38

Well that image aged like milk

[williamheayn]

Fun fact: The Nemesis, the first ironclad steamship of the Royal Navy, had a 120hp steam engine.

[Torikuso]

The last part was so true. No one Chinese would ever forget about that century, and the humiliating feeling they experienceed when they first learned about this part of our history. It was the lowest of all the low points ever to exist in over 5000 years.

[MaxWu-gnby]

Hong Konger here: I actually have some British coins when Britain colonised Hong Kong

[explosiongames]

Comment section stats:
65% hating on the British
30% hating on every other empire
3%random interesting point
2% China was also bad

[grant.]

Official: "We should really just be careful and modernize rather than sending our levied troops with vastly inferior equipment and training. "

Emperor: "Shut up nerd."

[CommissarWallace]

'The Unequal Treaties' - this is usually what happens with a defeated power, it's hardly a solely Chinese phenomenon.