Opium Wars and Argentina (case study for Robinson and Gallagher) Flashcards
What was the theory defending the forceful imposition of trade with China?
Free Trade Theory
Which two key political figures defended free trade at the times of the opium wars?
Lord Palmerston (Foreign Secretary during first war and PM during second) Cobden (MP elected in 1841)
How do the respective treaties from the wars show how free trade was an objective of the British intervention?
The Treaty of Nanking opened five ports for trade where Britain could trade with anyone they wished.
The Treaty of Tientsin created a further ten new port cities and allowed foreigners to travel through the country freely.
Why did Britain need to maintain cheap imports from China through free trade imposition?
Britain was not self-sufficient in food so relied on cheap imports from the likes of China.
Likewise, they required the cheap raw materials to be able to maintain their superior industrial status compared with the rest of Europe.
What proportion of Britain’s imports were raw materials by 1860?
65%
What were the immediate economic benefits brought about from the treaties ending the Opium Wars?
Treaty of Nanking - 3m dollar compensation for owed debts and 12m dollars compensation for war
Treaty of Tientsin - 3m ounces of silver
Which General of Hunan and Hubei embarked on an anti-opium campaign? How many pounds of opium were confiscated and destroyed as a result?
Lin Zexu
2.6m pounds of opium confiscated and destroyed
Aside from the economic benefit of exporting opium to China, why did Britain not understand why Lin Zexu went about destroying opium imports?
Because they deemed opium to be beneficial.
In the words of the main opium company in China (Jardine, Matheson and Co.), opium was “a comfort and a benefit to the hard working Chinese”
How did Bernard Porter describe British foreign policy in the mid-19th century?
“God in harness with Mammon”
What was the Chinese perception of themselves? How did Lord George Maccartny refer to a Chinese in 1793?
They deemed themselves as the “central civilisation” and hence, visitors to court were seen as “tribute bearers” or “barbarians”
Lord George Maccartny refused to bow down to “an asiatic barbarian”
What precedent was adopted in the Don Pacifico Affair?
The precedent that a British citizen would be protected abroad by the might of her country’s army/navy abroad if such a need was required.
What happened in September 1860 that could have prompted a similar response to that seen in the Don Pacifico affair?
Two British diplomats and 20 British and French soldiers were arrested and forced to put up with brutal conditions and treatment in prison.
What was the relevance of ‘The Arrow’ in prompting the second opium war?
In October 1856, Guangzhou police seized the Arrow, a British registered ship, and charged its crew with piracy and smuggling. This caused the British to resume siege upon Canton (treaty port) and after capturing it in December 1857, the navy contined north to capture the Dagu forts.
What did President Avallaneda of Argentina say in 1873?
That Argentina would “willingly suffer privations and even hunger” to retain its credit reputation with Britain
What was Britain able to make Argentina do during the 1890 financial crisis?
Adopt deflationary policies in return for a government loan
