Opium Problem
China had for centuries lived as an independent and self-satisfied nation that produced all the goods that it needed. The Chinese silk, tea and porcelain were coveted items that brought in much wealth from Western nations. As a result England found its stock of silver depleting. To add to its woes, there were little English products that enticed the Chinese nation, so to put a curb on the silver outflow the English deployed a clever plan. They introduced an addictive drug known as opium into the country that had many Chinese hooked. In the course of time the opium became an excessively expensive item that far surpassed the price of any Chinese goods. As a result silver started to outflow from China and this created havoc with …show more content…
He states that the queen and her lineage had forever been just to her subjects. She is generous and fair and believes in the distribution of wealth and resources with every nation of the world. She can never do a wrong knowingly. Hence, it must be her unawareness which is causing her subjects to exploit ‘china by introducing opium in the country. Opium is the cause of social, economic and political problems as many Chinese citizens are getting addicted to it. Here we see Lin Zexu shifting from praise to problem statement where he recounts the numerous problems suffered due to opium consumption and the ill intent of the opium traders who bring nothing but trouble into his country.
Lin Zexu then shifts to an appealing voice where he appeals to the good intent of the queen. He states that China had always delivered high quality products to the world, hence, it is her right to receive only quality products from the outside world and not something trash such as the opium drug. The Chinese products helped England in the acquisitions of many luxuries so China also deserves to be served with good …show more content…
However, all of Zexu’s efforts (whether addressing supreme authority of England or using drastic steps to stop opium usage) proved quite ineffective since it is assumed that the letter failed to reach the queen as no direct action or response was given from her side. Moreover, the execution of the British subjects brought on the rage of England that resulted in First Opium War (1839- 1842). The war proved a humiliation to China as British with its modern warships and weapons easily defeated the Chinese. The opium trade continued to flourish and the resulting health crisis grew
China had for centuries lived as an independent and self-satisfied nation that produced all the goods that it needed. The Chinese silk, tea and porcelain were coveted items that brought in much wealth from Western nations. As a result England found its stock of silver depleting. To add to its woes, there were little English products that enticed the Chinese nation, so to put a curb on the silver outflow the English deployed a clever plan. They introduced an addictive drug known as opium into the country that had many Chinese hooked. In the course of time the opium became an excessively expensive item that far surpassed the price of any Chinese goods. As a result silver started to outflow from China and this created havoc with …show more content…
He states that the queen and her lineage had forever been just to her subjects. She is generous and fair and believes in the distribution of wealth and resources with every nation of the world. She can never do a wrong knowingly. Hence, it must be her unawareness which is causing her subjects to exploit ‘china by introducing opium in the country. Opium is the cause of social, economic and political problems as many Chinese citizens are getting addicted to it. Here we see Lin Zexu shifting from praise to problem statement where he recounts the numerous problems suffered due to opium consumption and the ill intent of the opium traders who bring nothing but trouble into his country.
Lin Zexu then shifts to an appealing voice where he appeals to the good intent of the queen. He states that China had always delivered high quality products to the world, hence, it is her right to receive only quality products from the outside world and not something trash such as the opium drug. The Chinese products helped England in the acquisitions of many luxuries so China also deserves to be served with good …show more content…
However, all of Zexu’s efforts (whether addressing supreme authority of England or using drastic steps to stop opium usage) proved quite ineffective since it is assumed that the letter failed to reach the queen as no direct action or response was given from her side. Moreover, the execution of the British subjects brought on the rage of England that resulted in First Opium War (1839- 1842). The war proved a humiliation to China as British with its modern warships and weapons easily defeated the Chinese. The opium trade continued to flourish and the resulting health crisis grew