After completing the Reading handed out in class, answer the following questions:
1) How did Opium make the world go round?
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
3) Respond to at least one other person's comment.
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1) Opium made the world go round because it was an addicting drug that was in high demand. This meant that people needed it as soon as possible. Also, opium promoted world trade which narrowed the trade imbalance, therefore Europeans wanted to continue to export it.
ReplyDelete2) I do believe Britain was justified in their war with China because China was always closed off to trade and closed off to Europe so they had the right to trade when they had the chance even if that resulted in drug addicts. As the reading states, this war would've happened even if opium wasn't involved, it could've been any other product like cotton. This means that this war only happened because of China's old fashioned ways of not allowing involvement in markets so it could have been avoided if China was apart of trade. Britain earned the right to trade because they finally had a good that China wanted so the government in China shouldn't have been able to interfere with interactions made. Just like lassiez faire stated, higher powers shouldn't be able to control the markets, so China shouldn't have done the same. If China was open to trade this could've easily been avoided.
1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium makes the world go round because it caused a lot of chaos between China and Europe. Opium became commonly used and widely spread and many people became addicted. One might think that the opium trade and all the suffering it caused would have become unnecessary to Britain just about the time that they went to war over it. Opium just like heroin is a an addictive drug.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
I think China was right in the fact they wanted to end the trade of opium because this addictive drug was causing chaos. Britain declared war because they wanted it still around causing even more chaos. Its all people relied on and the supply rapid grew. On the other hand, Opium not only bounded together China, India, England, and the United States in a quadrilateral of trade, but also played a central role in sustaining Britain's industrialization drive and the revolutionary 19th century expansion of the world economy.
-Nicole Albino
I disagree that China was right because the trade of Opium was helping economies grow and people could get addicted to anything, even if they did put a stop to Opium. You said it yourself it helped joined people together in trade and it helped Britain's industrialization.
DeleteAnastasia i agree with you because opium did help the economy grow and prosper but from China's point of view it really destroyed them and led to their downfall really. SO i guess i agree and disagree with both....................................
Delete1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium made the world go round for example, it's spread to China making many people addicted to it. It was central to promoting world trade and accelerated economic growth. Opium trade also began in Europe, especially Britain and led to the British East India Company. There was such high demand for it because although the drug started as a medicine, it became a luxury and people around the world were becoming dangerously addicted to it.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
Yes I do think Britain was justified for starting war because even though it caused chaos and many people became addicted , it still brought a lot of good, especially to Britain, so I understand why they would want to fight against China for trying to stop the trade of Opium. Opium brought China, England, and the United States together in trade and it helped Britain's industrialization grow. On top of everything, it helped ALL economies, not just Britain. And yes, people got addicted to it, however they could have gotten addicted to anything, why put an end to it if it's going to help economies improve? This isn't the first time people got addicted to something.
I agree that opium made the world go round due to it's addictive qualities and promotion of world trade. I also agree that Britain was justified for starting the war because it would've happened even if opium wasn't involved anyway. Opium was helping the economy prosper even more, China was just being stubborn as always. Government should not be involved in trade whatsoever.
DeleteI agree with you that the opium trade helped Britain. The selfish desires of the Chinese elite weakened their state, and once opium took hold, they could not do a thing to stop it. Industrialization skipped China since they rejected it, they would have had to pay for it in some way in the future once other nations overtook them.
Delete1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium went around like any other drug these days it became and addiction for the people living in China. When Britain took control of the Suez Canal and India after the Industrial Revolution for raw materials, they found an incredible amount of opium. Before that China didn't really trade with Europeans and anyone at all really, but Britain and other European nations really wanted their resources like silk and porcelain so after a while they opened one port to China causing mayhem and trouble between the Chinese gov't and British officials since the Chinese citizens were getting so addicted to this drug.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
I do believe Britain was justified because even though there was already a lot of mayhem and everything with opium, it benefited Britain in the end and most of all Europe because after the war China melted and broke down causing all of these other nations to invade and basically take China for granted making their economy and structure deplete and become bad.
I agree with you Chris, Britain was justified in the war with China, and also, China's government wasn't right to burn the opium, it is not the governments problem to get involved as well as it wasn't right to just do whatever they want or think is right, even though opium is bad, china could have approached the situation much differently.
DeleteI agree with your Christopher in that Britain was justified in the war with China. The British was only trying to created a monopoly through the use of Opium, and China thought that the Opium was creating a lazy work force. China was already facing a slow decline due to the repeated peasant rebellions, and now with the cause of this war, there was constant chaos within the state of China.
Delete-Emmanuel Damanakis
I disagree with you I don't think that Britain was justified because of the fact that they destroyed so many lives of the Chinese. They caused millions of people to become addicts all because they wanted money. They didn't think about anyone else, they just thought of the profit that would come out of it.
Delete1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDelete- Opium made the world go round because it was a drug that easily addicted many people. Since it was so addicting, it became popular in the trade market and soon it was in high demand all over the world since practically everyone was so hooked on it, as it was traded all over.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China Why or why not?
- I believe that Britain was justified in their war with china, because China's government shouldn't have reacted like that and burned all the opium, since it wasn't their opium/item to have destroyed, China's government could have gotten involved in a different way. yet I don't think their government should get involved anyways since it is not their problem what people buy/want to buy and trade. It wasn't the governments problem, and it was the peoples decision to keep buying opium. Also, opium was helping trade and the economy of not only. China but other countries as well. So I believe Britain was justified in the war.
I agree with you Tina to a certain extent. I agree with the fact that the Chinese government shouldn't have reacted the way they did, but they were only trying to take care of their people. No one wants to see their people fall from addictions. If opium kept entering China than it would only lead to a weaker China. Due to opium it led to the downfall of the Chinese and the government is the people. Yes, it was helping trade and the economy in a way that didn't benefit China, but for Europe in a grotesque way. China and Europe both weren't justified in fighting the Opium war.
Delete1. Opium made the world go round by it being a highly addicting drug and due to people's addiction for the drug it became high in demand. Mostly in China, the Chinese people became addicted to opium and China became Europe's lead trader due to the demand of opium. It gave Europe more money and benefited them in many ways.
ReplyDelete2.Well, I think it shouldn't have resulted in war. China's leader was right to want to end the trade with Opium, but should of restricted the use of it. People in those times usually obeyed their ruler due to confucianism. The Empreor only wanted the best for his people. Britian on the other hand shouldn't have engaged in war with China over a topic of Opium. The Chinese people have a right to decide what they want to do, but it shouldn't cost the whole population into becoming addicts. Britian was right to fight for their trade with China since it wasn't all their fault. China knew they were trading with Europe and bringing in the drug well not until they found out the consequences of Opium. Both sides were right, but shouldn't have resulted in conflict.
I like your thinking and yes, both sides were right and it shouldn't have resulted in a conflict! goood jobbb!
DeleteThough I agree that war is bad in any case but I do feel as if this specific war helped China open up to the world. Which happened to be a terrible decision for the chinese and the British did this with only bad and selfish reasons this war could've been very helpful to china if they'd traded wisely. :) Great job!
Delete1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteYes i believe Opium does make the world go round, well Britian. Because Opium was Britian's major source of money, it was the power house for their economy, without opium Britian could not afford to keep up with the taxes and amount of imports they were taking in. Britian was taking in so much spices, silk, textiles and other raw materials from India and other Asian countries but in return could not export very much. However, when the discovery of opium occured, now Britian had the power to trade with Asia and it skyrocketed the British economy, while destroying China.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
Yes i believe Britian was justified in the war but I also believe China was right to argue against opium. Even though China was rrestricting opium trading from British inside Chinese borders It was conflicting with the free trade policy. However at the same time Chinese interests to reduce the use of opium and minimize drug users was also very important and they would do anything to keep that. Also before china had the world at its knees begging to trade with them now because of Opium everyone is crawling to the british.
3) Respond to at least one other person's comment.
Mohammed, I agree with your comment and I also believe that Britain was justified in their war with China. I liked how you said, "Even though China was restricting opium trading from British inside Chinese borders It was conflicting with the free trade policy." Opium was an effective solution to the British trade problem, and because of its strong mass appeal and addictive nature, it secured the economy. Good job on your post! -Alice Mungyu
DeleteAlice Mungyu
ReplyDelete1) How did Opium make the world go round?
Opium made the world go round because the European traders, such as the Portuguese, exchanged/traded by inserting themselves into the existing Asian maritime trade network. This caused many issues between the Chinese and the Europeans because thee Chinese didn’t like the way it was used due to the amount of addicts and suffering. Although it had an negative impact on the users, it boosted the economy as it promoted overseas trade and maritime activity.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
I believe that the British were justified in their war with China. Opium was an effective solution to the British trade problem, and because of its strong mass appeal and addictive nature, it secured the economy. Prior to the conflict between the British and the Chinese, the Chinese officials wished to end the spread of opium, and confiscated around 20,000 chests of opium (approximately 1.21 million kilograms or 2.66 million lb) from British traders. In my opinion, the Chinese government overreacted, they could’ve solve the issue in a different route.
Hey Alice!
DeleteI like that you included why the Chinese didn't want Opium around there people, because they were addicted to it. I don't fully agree that the Britain was justified in starting the war, but you do make a very good point that it was a effective solution to the British Trade problem, also that it secured the economy.
-Your friend Samantha Aversano
1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium made the world go round because of the massive demand for it. British India manufactured this product, and it was exported to many other places, especially China. Opium was the main "cash crop" in this region. The monetizing of this product caused some uproar as a result. The Chinese were quite upset at the fact that all of their people was using this drug instead of working, so as a result, The Opium Wars started. After these wars, many countries started to trade with China at certain ports.
2. 2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
I believe that the war with China was quite justified. The British were entrepreneurs who tried to sell Opium to the Chinese since it was in high demand in China, but the Chinese destroyed all of the Opium that was imported. Since there was so many addicts in the country, it caused a huge surge in the British economy. The Chinese could have avoided the outcome of the Opium War if they chose a different way of dealing with the distribution of the drug.
-Emmanuel Damanakis
Hi Manny! I agree with you when you say “The Chinese could have avoided the outcome of the Opium War if they chose a different way of dealing with the distribution of the drug.” I also felt that if China had reacted in a less hostile manner that they might have saved themselves from the humiliation that they faced when they lost to Europe in the war. Furthermore, had China accepted the free trade policy and merely added a few laws of their own to ban from the overuse of opium that things would have turned out better for both China and Europe. Great job!
Delete1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium made the world go round because it was in such high demand especially in China. British had all the control over the product, and would trade it to new places, but China seemed to have a stronger hold on it and wanted it more ( the people not the leaders). Opium was a way for there to be world trade, it had made it possible. It also had boosted the economy greatly as well as trade activity.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
I do believe Britain was justified to have war with China because of the fact that China had been isolated for so long, and once they were able to trade with them, China wanted to shut down again. The Chinese had destroyed all the opium that the British brought in which wasn't exactly fair, it was their products and they also spent money on it as well. China promoted this war because of the actions they had taken to try and get rid of the opium. China was always the place to say they didn't want to trade with anyone because no one had what they needed, and once the British had opium and realized that China never had this, China didn't want anything to do with them. China wanted to be the ones to have the supplies that everyone needed and wouldn't get from them but when the British took that control away China worried and had tried to fight back, but they ultimately lost because of their old fashion ways.
I agree with the answer to the first question, but for the latter, I have to disagree. Personally, I feel that it was completely immoral to coerce the Chinese people into becoming “a nation of addicts” regardless of the fact that China wanted to be isolated or not. That's simply no reason to wage a war against innocent people.
DeleteFor your second answer, I disagree that Britain was justified in their war with China because all they wanted was an excuse to start a war with them to be able to imperalize and trade with them. They were simply interested in their goods and didn't care about the other people (not that they ever do) and the damage that it was creating for the people in China. I believe that it was China's right to isolate themselves; especially if people like the British were just out to use them for their products and were completely immoral. Even though China did follow up on their old fashion ways, but they were taken advantage of and ultimately lost because the British were more advanced than they were at the time.
Delete1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium made the world go round because it provided Britain with capital that it wouldn't have really gotten anywhere else. It gave China something to buy in order to balance the trade a little better. Although China would disagree because it created addicts. It also allowed India to earn a surplus and this created a cash hoard. Opium opened up China to foreign trade and allowed everyone else a chance to trade with china.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
I don't believe that Britain was justified in their war with china. Because Britain was having financial problems and saw that China was removed from everyone else, they decided to force china to open its gates to everyone. The excuse of opium causing the war was in my mind just that it was an excuse to allow Britain to be the first country to get to trade with china. England was upset about the fact that China saw no need to trade with anyone and that they were successful as they were while Britain was racking up a ton of debt. Britain was definitely not justified in their war against china.
Dear Markella ,
DeleteI really liked your response to the first question because of the connection you made with another region like India to prove your point. By doing this you also established clear evidence from the passage. I also agreed with your response to the second question because I could hear your voice and passion. Good job!
Your classmate,
Jasmine Tejada
1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium is an addictive and powerful drug that the Chinese government was forced to tolerate due to Britain. Additionally, it made the world “go round” because it literally moved adequate foreign trade. Thus, opening and promoting free trade with China.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
I don’t think Britain was justified in their war with China because China had there own instruction and way of doing things. Although the Europeans who wanted to trade with them didn’t agree with the government intervening with their goods, it’s important to note that the reason they didn’t agree with China was because China was benefiting from the trade and fulfilling their own objective in a smart and tasteful way.
Hi Jasmmine, I agree with you (on question #1), I like how you interpreted how opium made the world "go round", especially what you said about it promoting free trade with China, because it did allow the British to finally trade with China, which benefited the Chinese economy.
DeleteJason
Hi Jasmine I disagree with you on the second question because I think the British were justified in the war with china. It's actually China's fault because they disclosed everyone for years and when Britain found their weakness they used it to their advantage.
Delete
ReplyDelete1) Opium made the world go round, because it became one of the many things that were traded. The drug, was addictive, and cause many people to want more and more of it. It boosted the economy of both Europe and the Americans, but harmed the chinese. The trade began in the 1700 when Europe had imperialized parts of India, where Opium grew in mass production. Opium, acted much like spices, silks, and other Asian products to America and Europe. These items were in a mass demand in Europe and America and now the tables were turning, now the Europeans and Americans had something that the Chinese people actually wanted, before this time, they did not export much. Since Opium was in high demand with the Chinese people the Chinese government soon realized it was ruining their economy, although they couldn’t cut Europe off. After much struggle, the Chinese government had to give into Europe, and Europe was able to get its own ports to trade more. America followed afterwards and they too were able to trade in their own port in China.
2) I believe that the only reason Britain had started the war was because they wanted to be able to trade. If it wasn’t for the war China probably would have cut them off altogether. Britain was not justified in starting the war, but it was the only way they would have been able to gain money from China. Britain had said they had the war to have free trade, they said that they didn't believe the Chinese people should be cut off from being able to trade with any outside places. If it was for just this reason, then yes it was justifiable, but the true reason Britain probably started the war was for their own gain and not to defend the Chinese people.
-Samantha Aversano
i both agree and disagree with you on the first question. although you are correct that opium was so addictive that it became a major resource in trading, i believe the reason "it made the world go round" was because of its result in East Asia. it caused china to "open up" in sense since they lost the opium war. because they lost the war it led to an increase of international trade between Europe and east asia. thats what i wanted to add to the first question. but you are none the less correct in the effect of the drug in china.
Delete1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteEven though the opium trade led to lots of negative consequences in china, it led to the idea that “opium made the world go round”; this idea was because of the treaty of Nanjing, which china was reluctant to accept. The treaty ended the opium war with Britain and forced a massive import service into china, which, in turn, led to a more or less balance of import and export with china and Europe, the clauses ended up promoting “free trade” and opened china in a sense as before the treaty, china only allowed minimum trade and did not import, but rather exported their desired goods around the world, leading to an imbalance of wealth and trade. Because of the treaty, caused by the opium war, caused by the opium trade, china essentially “opened up” to Britain and then furthermore resulted in opening up to other countries as well, furthering eastern trade and similarly “making the world go round”.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
I do not feel that Britain was justified in their war with china because I do not feel the war was brought on by acts of moral good for Europe as a whole. Instead I feel this war was brought on to silence a giant of export, china, and as an answer to Europe’s international trade crisis, although as I stated earlier, it was mostly for Britain’s own benefit. Although the war was central in causing a shift of economic growth, I don’t feel that morally Britain was justified in starting it as it was started for obviously greedy motives because of the hunger to grow. After Britain gained industrial superiority, it did not NEED to continue at the level it WANTED. Because industry did not guarantee good foreign exchange, Britain wanted more and more in order to be the biggest, richest, and best and I feel those are not reasons that justify starting a war that caused many people to become addicted to opium.
Adva, I agree with you because the Britain did force a massive import service into China and through the treaty and the trade promoted free trade.
Delete1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium made the world go round not only because of the sheer demand for it, but also because of its highly addictive properties and the “high” it gave the people who used it. This addictive property that opium possessed helped it dominate trade markets in Europe and China, as well as helped support Europe’s economy (which needed a boost as all Europe did was import goods such as teas, spices, and silks).
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
I feel as if both China and Britain were at fault, as if China had not rebelled against the British by destroying their opium stashes and Britain had not sought to turn China into drug addicts for the sake of making money, none of this would have happened in the first place. Furthermore, I believe that China should have accepted the free trade ideology, but also enforced laws on their people to make sure they wouldn’t over indulge in the drug. All in all, Britain was just as justified in waging in war with China, as China was in destroying the European opium.
1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium “made the world go around” because of the tremendous demand for it. In addition, particularly in Britain, it was a major source of income and a stimulant to their economy. With the discovery of opium, Britain struck a gold mine as they were finally able to trade with Asia- reeling in immense profits for their nation. Although China was nearly destroyed in the process, Britain’s economy skyrocketed and it marked a clear shift in global power for the first time in history.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
I believe Britain wasn't justified in their actions because it was completely immoral to coerce the Chinese people into becoming “a nation of addicts” regardless of the monetary profit. Moreover, even after the Chinese Emperor sent a letter to the Queen, instead of trying to fix the problem they responded with war. This was clearly a terrible way to handle the situation and they completely destroyed the Chinese economy in the process.
1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium made the world go around because of the high demand for this "drug". People would get easily get addicted to it, which made people suffer because how bad and unhealthy it was. (Like Tobacco). However, this boosted the economy, because of the high demand for it. Everyone would wanted to buy it, because people were addicted to it. China discovered "opium" and this led to Europeans wanting to trade with them. However, China saw that the Europeans weren't using it right, people used it as drugs. It caused them to suffer because of how bad it was. Although it was bad for people, it caused the economy to go up, and the trade in China to increase.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
I believe that Britain was justified in their war with China because of the high demand for Opium in China. The Chinese was addicted to opium because of how addicting opium was. The Chinese government eventually saw that this wasn't the right way to use Opium. So they destroyed millions of pounds of opium, which ended the usage of opium.
Jason Chen
1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium made the world go round because there was a forceful demand of it. China was forced to permit massive imports of addictive drugs. But many say that it helped China of having a better free trade. The international opium trade began in the 1700s. The trade made British to benefit in many things due to the opium trade. It was not fair to the Chinese people to be forced into doing things but they did not really have a choice because they did not know what was really going on.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
I don't think Britain was justified in their war with China because wars never have any good cause of starting it. It is not moral in any way and also Britain was doing it for their own benefit. China was getting destroyed while Britain was boosting in their taxes and economy.
ReplyDelete1) How did Opium make the world go round?
"Opium makes the world go round" was an idea that came along with the highly addictive drug Opium which was in high demands among people all over China. Opium can be thought of as a cash crop or the center of attention that was originally founded in India, it helped other world powers make pave their way into China's ever so obstinate and enriched trading ports "opening China". Although some can argue, opium was the sole reason for China's breakdown, beginning of wars, and the birth of it's many addicts. The drug promoted economic growth for the Americas and Europe as the Chinese were willing to trade their valuable goods for Opium. Opium helped cease the movement of bullion from europe to china as opposed to before when all the chinese wanted from anyone was their Silver since they had everything others wanted.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
Britain was not justified in their war with China as they just used it for their own good, Britain needed out from all the debt they were under from the Atlantic World and they used China and later tried to cut it off completely out of trading with anyone. Even though China should have allowed the free trade and just excluded only opium instead. The war was the reason that China opened upi to many of the other world powers and this caused economic growth for everyone except the chinese.
1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium helped the world go around because it lead to great amounts of trade between many parts of the world. Opium also helped spark trade with china. Due to the fact that Britain started to trade with china all of the other regions got sort of jealous and said that they were going to trade with china. This lead to china being ripped to pieces because of all these regions.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
I do believe that Britain was justified in their war with china because I feel that china, throughout history,was acting greedy. They rarely traded with anyone, and I think that Britain was really smart because they finally found China's weakness. If china didn't shut everyone out then all the other regions wouldn't have gone crazy when they found out that china was trading with Britain.
I disagree with you Dominique, because although China may have been greedy and didn't trade with anyone, it's China's decision. I think China deserved to have a say in it, but was practically forced into war with Britain. I don't think it was fair of Britain to just attack China because they found China's "weakness."
Delete1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium made the world go round because it helped a lot in the economy and trade. "It was central to promoting world trade and accelerating economic growth- not for China, of course, but for Europe and the Americas." Since Britain and China began to trade, more and more regions got involved and started to interact as well. Therefore, opium made the world go round people more and more people wanted the drugs and began addicted.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
I believe that Britain was not justified in their war with China because China was practically didn't have a say in anything. Drug just started to get involved and before you know it, everyone started to become addicts. "China was forced to tolerate massive imports of a powerful addictive drug and various other injuries." I don't think it was fair for China, and I don't think Britain was justified.
1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium made "the world go round" because of the gain and profit the Americas and Europe gained from selling it to China. Opium was a highly addictive drug and everyone wanted it. Europe tried to find several ways to imperialize China, but only became successful when the British East India Company made it accessible to receive great quantities of opium to offer to the Chinese. Before hand, Opium was only used as a luxury and was used as a medicine, then it led China to trade with them which was exactly what the British wanted. While Europe and the Americas gained all the profit, China didn't realize in time that they were basically getting tricked by the Europeans so they can imperalize or at least take something of there's; for example Hong Kong, China didn't even get Hong Kong back up until 1999.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
I believe that they were in no way justified for starting there war on China. They were just trying to find an excuse to start a war on China so they can imperalize and find a way to use their goods, they could have started a war over anything as long as it meant that they were going to get what they wanted in return. It was mainly a side issue and was absolutely not something to start a war over.
Brenda, I have to disagree. Britain was not trying to start a war with China, they were simply trying to trade with the country. China cost them valuable revenue in destroying their Opium because of its effects. Britain had every right to retaliate and force China to compensate for the destroyed Opium (Treaty of Nanjing). Britain's war with China benefited Britain in a plethora of different ways, making Britain completely justified in their two wars with China.
Delete- Jordan
1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium made the world go round because it was greatly beneficial to Britain's success in the trade with China. Britain had finally found something China did not have and they capitalized on the effects the drug had on the Chinese citizens. Although it drew the ire of the Manchu emperor and Commissioner Lin, Britain had the military strength to defend itself. This is why Britain easily disposed of China in the two Opium Wars. These wars diminished the credibility of China, which in turn laid the groundwork for China's downfall over the next century.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
Britain in my opinion, was completely justified in their war with China because they were militarily and technologically stronger than China. China possessed something they wanted and with their discovery of Opium, Britain had the opportunity to trade something other than silver to trade with China. In an act of revenge and rebellion of trading the drug Opium, China sunk and or burned the valuable drug, costing Britain money and revenue. Britain had every right to retaliate on the weaker country, and this is why Britain in the long run gains more territory for trade and China compensated for the destroyed Opium by paying 21 million silver dollars (an equivalent to 2 billion American dollars).
-Jordan
DeleteI definitely agree, having them wasting their supplies by sinking them. They asked for the drug they wanted it, but the emperor did not. I felt they also had every right not only that though, China was already behind in the world so they were actually justified in fighting them because they were already lacking the technology in which other countries already have.
Delete1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium made world go round because instead of trading actual goods, Britain traded opium to China which is a drug this way the addicts would buy it. It was their fuel for trade, they came up to china with the opium and asked China what they would give in return since during this time opium was so addicting and many people wanted to take the drug. This angered the emperor of China because he thought it was a disgrace to give this drug to them as if it was hurting their empire as a whole which it was people weren't trying hard and they still failed to industrialize.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
Yes I do believe it was justified, with the strength of their army and the nasty letters they received from the Chinese emperor, their is no reason why it wasn't justified, either way they were still diminishing the supplies of the China by giving them opium for silver or other goods in exchange so either way they were losing supplies one by one just for the drug. Also China failed to keep up with the rest of the world in industrializing so their is no point of it even existing if they aren't even up to date themselves.
1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium was the primary import of China, and in fact, it was the first major product that China had ever imported from outside of the Asian hemisphere (at least, that which the West controlled) that led to a full dependency on it. Millions of addicts needed the drug, and Britain had control of the opium industry in India. For the first time in history, China was dependent on the West for a product, and if they were to rebel against this dependency, perhaps due to their moral inclinations or Confucian principles, the West would hammer them for having attempted to break the opium deal. The opium wars secured the downfall of China as an isolated rich empire, and gave the rest of the world full access to their products, leading to new booms in trade at the Chinese's expense.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
Britain was justified to go to war with China if they decided to redact the opium trade, especially because of the emperor's wishes and not that of the traders. While opium is an addictive drug that ruined many lives there, cutting it off from the populace could have had devastating effects on users, leading to more piracy for the interest of acquiring more of the drug. Britain would not let it's possessions, such as Canton, be taken away from them without warning, and it was perfectly justified for them to react hostility at the Emperor's decisions to suddenly cut their trade access points short. The insistent behavior of the Chinese elite to maintain the old norms of isolation was counterproductive at this point, because industrialization had caused China to lag behind the rest of the world. The former 'barbaric' Western traders were now their suppressors and controllers, and the failure to industrialize was the primary cause of this, along with the dependency on opium.
1) How did Opium make the world go round?
ReplyDeleteOpium made the world go round because of high demand for the product caused by its addictive properties. Before the introduction of Opium to China, China had refused to trade with other nations but Opium finally opened their borders and allowed other nations to penetrate China's borders.
2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?
I do believe that Britain was justified in its war with China because of the emperor's stubbornness to let the English trade their products with the Chinese. Although the British were a bit selfish in their conquest of the world, they were justified because they weren't forcing their products upon the Chinese and weren't violating any laws. They may not have been morally correct giving them the highly addictive drug opium, but they didn't do anything illegal and the emperor of China had destroyed a large amount of their products in the Opium fire.