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The Amherst embassy and British discoveries in China
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 17:15 authored by Hao GaoThe Amherst embassy to China has long been viewed as a major diplomatic failure in Britain’s early relations with China. This article concentrates on the greatly overlooked aspect of the Amherst mission – the delegation’s discoveries in China after the official proceedings were concluded. Since the embassy was given unprecedented freedom of movement during its four-month return journey from Beijing to Canton, British observers were able to explore the interior of China and to communicate more fully with the Chinese government and people than ever before. As a consequence, the Amherst embassy not only provided valuable first-hand observations which increased and improved Britain’s knowledge of China, but developed the view that the Qing government was the chief obstacle to the progress of Chinese civilization and to the general welfare of the Chinese people. These important perceptions laid the foundation for future changes in Sino-British relations and led, indirectly, to the outbreak of the Opium War.
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
HistoryISSN
0018-2648Publisher
WileyExternal DOI
Issue
337Volume
99Page range
568-587Department affiliated with
- History Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2014-05-12Usage metrics
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