Opium, Soldiers and Evangelicals

This book questions the universal belief that England's 1840-42 war with China was an "Opium War." What really worried London was "insults to the crown," the claim of a dilapidated and corrupt China to be superior to everyone, threats to British men and women and seizure of British property, plus the wish to expand and free trade everywhere. It was only much later that general Chinese resentment and Evangelical opinion at home - and in America - persuaded everyone that Britain had indeed been wicked and fought for opium.

Harry G. Gelber is a Professor of History and Political Science and Visiting Research Fellow, Asian Research Centre, London School of Economics and Political Economy.