Some Questions
What is the meaning of the Opium Wars to China today?
What were the main causes of the Opium Wars? What were the consequences for the Qing Dynasty?
What is most interesting and surprising about the Opium Wars?
Possible Starting Places
Peter C. Perdue, "The
First Opium War -- The Anglo-Chinese War Of 1839-1842":
The feature essay for the larger MIT Visualizing Culture's unit listed
below.
Garden Of Perfect Brightness, 3 -- Destruction, Looting And Memory
(1860-Present):
A unit from MIT's Visualizing Culture web-site.
Jose Antonio Canton, "Opium: A Drug That Defeated China," National Geographic History Magazine (January-February 2021): 54-69.
Audio and Video Sources
"Why Did Britain Get China Addicted To Opium," Empires Of Silver Arte France, 2023. (59 mins)
"How The Opium Trade Destroyed China's Greatest Empire," Empires Of Silver, Arte France, 2023. (59 mins)
"Palace
Of Shame,"
Documentary, BBC World Service, February 18, 2015.
"Symbolic Meaning Of Poppies," The World, PRI (November 10, 2010).
"'Sea
Of Poppies': An Epic Tale Of Opium And Empire,"
NPR (January 7, 2009).
"The
Opium Wars," In
Our Time, BBC Radio 4, April 12, 2007.
Opium Wars, Khan Academy, World History.
Opium
Wars, Feature
History.
First
Opium War -- 1: Trade Deficits And The Macartney Embassy,
Extra History.
First Opium War -- 2: The Righteous Minister, Extra History.
First Opium War -- 3: Gunboat Diplomacy, Extra History.
First Opium War -- 4: Conflagration And Surrender, Extra History.
Opium Wars In The News
Neil Connor, "China's
Xi Jinping Recalls National 'Humiliation' To Britain As He Seeks To Stir
Patriotism In Hong Kong,"
Telegraph, July 1, 2017.
Tania Branigan, "Analysis:
Don't Mention Opium War -- Or Human Rights,"
Guardian, November 29, 2013.
"Looted
Statues Returned To China In Pinault Donations,"
BBC News, June 28, 2013.
Carrie Gracie, "Hong Xiuquan: The Rebel Who Thought He Was Jesus's Brother," BBC Newsmagazine, October 18, 2012.
Carrie Gracie, "Hong
Xiuquan: The Rebel Who Thought It Was Jesus's Brother,"
BBC News, October 17, 2012.
Peter Swaab, "'Opium:
Reality's Dark Dream,' By Thomas Dormandy -- Review,"
Telegraph, April 23, 2012.
"The
Opium Wars: Be Careful What You Wish For,"
Economist (October 29, 2011).
Tim Barrett, "The
Opium War, By Julia Lovell,"
Independent, October 7, 2011.
Isabel Hilton, "The Opium War By Julia Lovell -- Review," Observer, September 11, 2011.
Rana Mitter, "The
Opium War By Julia Lovell -- Review,"
Guardian, September 2, 2011.
Joyce Hor-Chung Lau, "Highlighting
Differences In Interpretations Of The Opium War,"
New York Times, August 18, 2011.
Antal E. Fekete, "Silver And Opium," Asia Times Online, February 17, 2011.
Michael White, "David
Cameron Should Not Have Worn That Poppy In China,"
Guardian, November 10, 2010.
Julian Kossoff, "The Opium Wars Still Define Relations Between The UK And China: Pity The Hapless Mr. Cameron," Telegraph, November 10, 2010.
"China
Renews Appeal For Looted Palace Relics Return,"
BBC News, October 19, 2010.
David Barboza, "China Seeks To Stop Paris Sale Of Bronzes," New York Times, February 16, 2009.
Richard L. King, "Speaking Freely: Olympics And Opium Wars," Asia Times Online, August 1, 2008.
"'Opium Financed British Rule In India,'" BBC News, June 23, 2008.
"The
Great Exhibition And London's Chinese Junk,"
BBC Newsmagazine, June 16, 2008.
Karl E. Meyer, "The Opium War's Secret History," New York Times, June 28, 1997.
Articles
Julia Lovell, "From Both Sides Now," History Today (June 1, 2012).
John Brown, "The
Opium Wars,"
Military History, 21 (April 2004): 34-42.
Leslie R. Marchant, "The
Wars Of The Poppies,"
History Today, 52 (May 2002).
John Newsinger, "Britain's Opium Wars," Monthly Review, 49 (October 1997).
Web-Sites
England And China -- The Opium Wars, 1839-60:
A brief backgrounder from Philip V. Allingham and the Victorian Web.
Opium Wars In China, Asia Pacific Curriculum.
Opium Wars
-- Wikipedia:
An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.
First
Opium War -- Wikipedia:
An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.
Second Opium War -- Wikipedia:
An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.
Treaty Of Nanking -- Wikipedia:
An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.
The Opium War In Japanese Eyes -- An Illustrated 1849 'Story From Overseas':
A unit from MIT's Visualizing Culture web-site.