Routledge - Britain's China Policy and the Opium Crisis Book

Explore a new perspective on the origins of the First Opium War with this scholarly work from Routledge. While traditional histories often suggest the British Cabinet used military force solely to protect opium sales and open trade, this book offers a deeper look into the motivations behind the conflict. Moving beyond simple monetary explanations, the text examines how British foreign policy was shaped by the concepts of honour and shame. It explores how the Palmerston government navigated the pressures of public outrage and the need to maintain national standing during the period of 1833-1840. This is an essential read for those studying the complex history of Anglo-Chinese relations and the socio-political drivers that lead to international conflict.