Gunboat diplomacy and the British Empire in East Asia
I can explain the importance of gunboat diplomacy for the expansion of the British Empire in East Asia.
Gunboat diplomacy and the British Empire in East Asia
I can explain the importance of gunboat diplomacy for the expansion of the British Empire in East Asia.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Britain had no colonies in East Asia in the early 19th century.
- A lack of Chinese interest and restrictions imposed by the Qing Empire limited British trade with China.
- The Opium Wars between Britain and the Qing Empire are an example of gunboat diplomacy.
- Britain expanded its formal empire by gaining control over Hong Kong.
- Growing British influence in the Qing Empire helped it develop an informal empire after the Opium Wars.
Keywords
Merchants - merchants are people whose job is to buy and sell goods
Opium - opium is an addictive drug
Gunboat diplomacy - when countries try to achieve their foreign policy aims by using the threat of military force, this is called gunboat diplomacy
Treaty - a treaty is a written agreement between two or more countries, approved and signed by their leaders
Customs - customs are taxes paid on trade
Common misconception
British victory in the Opium wars allowed it to conquer large areas of China and establish many new colonies.
Hong Kong was gained as a new British colony but Britain used its victory in the Opium Wars to force the Qing empire to change its behaviour, rather than to create new colonies.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
countries which are ruled by another country
made up of areas heavily under the influence of a particular country
the control of one country over others and the extension of its rule
using the threat of force to achieve foreign policy aims