The Opium War, 1840-1842 : Barbarians in the Celestial Empire in the Early Part of the Nineteenth Century and the War by Which They Forced Her Gates Ajar

This book tells the fascinating story of the war between England and China that delivered Hong Kong to the English, forced the imperial Chinese government to add four ports to Canton as places in which foreigners could live and trade, and rendered irreversible the process that for almost a century thereafter distinguished western relations with this quarter of the globe-- the process that is loosely termed the "opening of China." Originally published by UNC Press in 1975, Peter Ward Fay's study was the first to treat extensively the opium trade from the point of production in India to the point of consumption in China and the first to give both Protestant and Catholic missionaries their due; it remains the most comprehensive account of the first Opium War through western eyes. In a new preface, Fay reflects on the relationship between the events described in the book and Hong Kong's more recent history. This Book Tells The Fascinating Story Of The War Between England And China That Delivered Hong Kong To The English, Forced The Imperial Chinese Government To Add Four Ports To Canton As Places In Which Foreigners Could Live And Trade, And Rendered Irreversible The Process That For Almost A Century Thereafter Distinguished Western Relations With This Quarter Of The Globe -- The Process That Is Loosely Termed The Opening Of China. In A New Preface, Fay Reflects On The Relationship Between The Events Described In The Book And Hong Kong's More Recent History--jacket. The Old China Trade. Papaver Somniferum ; Canton And Macao ; Managing The Barbarians ; The Opium Traffic ; The End Of The Company -- Christ And Opium. The Napier Fizzle ; The Protestant Mission ; The Catholic Mission ; A Rising Tide ; Peking In Earnest ; Lin And The Twenty Thousand Chests ; We Won't Go Back! ; India And England Take Notice ; The Coming Of The War -- The War. The First Expedition ; At The Peiho ; The Blockade And The Barrier ; Chusan ; Up The River To Canton ; The City Spared ; San-yuan-li ; A Winter Of Waiting ; Hongkong ; The Yangtze Campaign ; China Opened By Peter Ward Fay. Parallel Title In Chinese Characters. Originally Published: 1975. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. A history of opium usage in China, starting with the East India Company in Calcutta, and its monopoly over the opium trade. The great trading companies of Canton smuggled opium into mainland China despite Chinese bans on the product, finally forcing the Chinese government to fight the foreigners first, and later to open up the country. Very detailed and well researched. Excellent, almost dramatic, retelling of history. Makes you want to re-read 'Shogun' all over again!