Britain's Second Embassy to China: Lord Amherst's 'Special Mission' to the Jiaqing Emperor in 1816

Auteurs

• Caroline Stevenson

Paramètres

• 404 pages
• 15 heures de lecture

• Cartes et voyages
• Géographie & Topographie
• Nonfiction
• Thème historique

En savoir plus sur le livre

Lord Amherst's diplomatic mission to the Qing Court in 1816 marked the second British embassy to China, following the unsuccessful attempt by Lord Macartney in 1793. Initially, Amherst was seen as having better chances for success, but his arrival was met with intense diplomatic challenges, culminating in his expulsion from Peking on the same day. Historians often attribute this failure to Amherst's decision, influenced by his Second Commissioner, Sir George Thomas Staunton, not to perform the kotow before the emperor. However, a closer examination of British sources indicates that Amherst was well aware of the kotow issue and made an informed decision for which he accepted full responsibility. The failure stemmed from fundamental differences in diplomatic approaches: China's tributary system required submission to the emperor, positioning foreign emissaries as vassals, while British diplomacy emphasized negotiation and equality among nations. This setback led to a reevaluation of British strategies toward China, with some advocating for the use of force to achieve objectives. The subsequent Opium War of 1840 established a precedent for foreign intervention in China, initiating a century of 'humiliation' that echoes in contemporary calls for 'National Rejuvenation' by President Xi Jinping, aiming to restore China's historical prominence in a new Sino-centric global order.

Achat du livre

• Année de publication: 2021
• Reliure: (souple)