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Battle For Beijing, 1858–1860: Franco-british Conflict In China
by Harry Gelber /
2016 / English / PDF
1.8 MB Download
The ‘battle for Beijing’ is universally – and quite wrongly –
believed to have been about opium. This book argues that it was
about freedom to trade, Britain’s demands for diplomatic
equality, and French demands for religious freedom in China. Both
countries agreed that their armies, which repeatedly prevailed
over Chinese ones that were numerically superior, would stay out
of Beijing itself, but were infuriated by China’s imprisonment,
torture and death of British, French and Indian negotiators. At
the same time, the British and French also helped the empire to
battle rebels and to pocket port and harbour dues. They steered
carefully between their political and trading demands, and
navigated the danger that undue stress would make China’s fragile
government and empire fall apart. If it did, there would be no
one to make any kind of agreement with; much of East Asia would
be in chaos and Russian power would soon expand.
The ‘battle for Beijing’ is universally – and quite wrongly –
believed to have been about opium. This book argues that it was
about freedom to trade, Britain’s demands for diplomatic
equality, and French demands for religious freedom in China. Both
countries agreed that their armies, which repeatedly prevailed
over Chinese ones that were numerically superior, would stay out
of Beijing itself, but were infuriated by China’s imprisonment,
torture and death of British, French and Indian negotiators. At
the same time, the British and French also helped the empire to
battle rebels and to pocket port and harbour dues. They steered
carefully between their political and trading demands, and
navigated the danger that undue stress would make China’s fragile
government and empire fall apart. If it did, there would be no
one to make any kind of agreement with; much of East Asia would
be in chaos and Russian power would soon expand.
Battle for Beijing, 1858–1860 offers fresh insights
into the reasons behind the actions and strategies of British
authorities, both at home and in China, and the British and
French military commanders. It goes against the widely accepted
views surrounding the Franco-British conflict, proposing a bold
new argument and perspective.
Battle for Beijing, 1858–1860 offers fresh insights
into the reasons behind the actions and strategies of British
authorities, both at home and in China, and the British and
French military commanders. It goes against the widely accepted
views surrounding the Franco-British conflict, proposing a bold
new argument and perspective.