Julia, one question: how do opium and the Opium Wars fit into this story? I'm curious at their absence but perhaps I have my Sino-British history mixed up.
Forgive this late reply - I've only just seen your Comment. One hassle in Sri Lanka is poor internet access if you have a very low grade phone as I do...I only skimmed over the background to the Opium Wars. They were sparked by the Chinese wanting to be paid for their tea in silver and refusing to buy British products in exchange for their tea. The East India Company led British merchants in smuggling opium into China, which eventually paid for the entire tea trade. Once the Chinese realised opium was creating millions of local addicts, they forced Britain's Head of Trade in China to hand over all British stocks of opium and destroyed them. This launched the opium wars, finishing the tea trade between the Chinese and the British, and causing the latter to look for ways to grow tea themselves in their colonies.
This is a wonderful article.
Thank you so much! I'm really pleased. If you haven't been to Sri Lanka, add it to your bucket list - it's filled with flowers to paint.
Julia, one question: how do opium and the Opium Wars fit into this story? I'm curious at their absence but perhaps I have my Sino-British history mixed up.
Forgive this late reply - I've only just seen your Comment. One hassle in Sri Lanka is poor internet access if you have a very low grade phone as I do...I only skimmed over the background to the Opium Wars. They were sparked by the Chinese wanting to be paid for their tea in silver and refusing to buy British products in exchange for their tea. The East India Company led British merchants in smuggling opium into China, which eventually paid for the entire tea trade. Once the Chinese realised opium was creating millions of local addicts, they forced Britain's Head of Trade in China to hand over all British stocks of opium and destroyed them. This launched the opium wars, finishing the tea trade between the Chinese and the British, and causing the latter to look for ways to grow tea themselves in their colonies.
This is so much more than we ever touched on in school! Very interesting read, thank you.