2/4/16
HSCI 3013
The voices of colonized Asia The voices of colonized Asia illustrated the different perspectives of nations in Asia and how they perceived the invasion of the British and other European nation into their lands. These anecdotes demonstrate the British invasion of china during The Opium War signifying two important factors that both incited conflict and ultimate military confrontation between the Chinese and the British. The Opium War marked the beginning of a new era in China’s relations with the West. The superiority of the British military methods and western techniques led to the opening of numerous ports to foreign trade; opium being a majorly traded product. Opium was an addictive drug introduced by the European …show more content…
Many Chinese citizens viewed the Europeans, most especially the British as barbarians and savages who lust and quest for power had robed their children, their lands and the nation of its harmony and wealth. The use of opium and the exposure of foreign incursion angered many local Chinese citizens. This often resulted in the uprise in anti British movements voicing their abhorrence towards the British. Many felt the British were insatiably greedy and had robbed their country of riches; using opium to extort cash and silver, killing many people. While the westerners in China pushed to claim rights, Many Chinese reformers who worked to better China were fuelled by rage anger while others sort to simply exploit the weakness of the British and match their strength in order to eradicate them from their lands. The modern Chinese sense of complaint over the war is …show more content…
This act led to oppression by the hands of western foreigners i.e. the British. The ruthless economic agenda by the British led to the exploitation of natural resources in India through the maximization of crop yield and an increase in taxation for their own financial gain. This act prompted a massive famine in Bengal and other regions in India. A native Indian Abu Taleb, who worked for the state government and later for the British, documented and published accounts of his travels oversea; describing several British defects as well as some few virtues. Some defects recorded by Taleb were the pride of British citizens, their passion for acquiring money, their attachment to world affairs, the luxurious manner to which they live. The large amount of expenses incurred in order to quench their desire of indulgence and pamper their appetites led Taleb to view the British as wasteful. Furthermore, he goes on to mention their selfishness and lastly their reprehensible conduct to which practice sex. Taleb witnessed a great degree of licentiousness practiced by members of both sexes in London; this action led to the establishment of many brothels and public houses around the nation which included thousands of courtesans. Nevertheless, Taleb did go on to divulge some virtues of the British such as: sense of honor, hospitality to guest, quest and passion to