Intrusions In Asia; Opera, Society, And A Dilemma ✓ Solved

Intrusions in Asia; Opera and Society and a Dilemma

"Intrusions in Asia; Opera and Society and a Dilemma." Please respond to one (1) of the following, using sources under the Explore heading as the basis of your response. Describe the key motives involved in the increased presence of Westerners in India, China, and Japan in the 1700s and 1800s. Identify the key factors that led to Britain's successful imposition of its presence and trade policies on China, despite communications like those from Emperor Ch'ien-lung (i.e., Qianlong) and Commissioner Lin Zexu (i.e., Lin Tse-hsu). Argue for or against the British policies regarding China in the 1800s, using analogies from our own modern times.

Paper For Above Instructions

The 18th and 19th centuries marked a significant transformation in the relationship between Western powers and Asian societies, particularly in India, China, and Japan. The increased presence of Westerners in these regions was driven by various motives, including economic interests, imperial ambitions, and the desire for cultural influence. This paper explores the key reasons behind this Western intrusion, the British strategies that facilitated their dominance in China, and the implications of their policies compared to modern times.

Motives for Western Intrusions in Asia

One of the primary motives for Western nations to expand their presence in Asia was economic gain. The lucrative trade routes to India, China, and the surrounding regions promised substantial profits, tempting European powers to establish footholds. The British East India Company, for instance, sought to control the opium trade in China, which led to dire social consequences in Chinese society and ultimately contributed to the Opium Wars (Bickers, 2013). The agricultural richness of India also attracted British colonizers who aimed to exploit resources like cotton, tea, and spices, further enabling Britain's industrial revolution (Ferguson, 2003).

Another critical factor was the imperialistic ambition of Western nations to expand their territorial influence and power. The competition for colonies fostered a race among European powers, with nations like Britain, France, and the Netherlands striving to assert their dominance in Asia. Western intellectual thought, characterized by notions of superiority and the civilizing mission, propelled this ambition, as many justified their invasions and interventions as a means to 'civilize' Asian societies that they deemed 'backward' (Sinha, 2008). This notion of a civilizing mission profoundly influenced public opinion back in Europe, leading to widespread support for imperial policies.

Factors Leading to British Dominance in China

The British presence in China was solidified through a combination of military strength, strategic negotiation, and economic pressure. The Opium Wars (1839-1842 and 1856-1860) exemplified the use of military might to impose trade policies contrary to Chinese interests. The Qing dynasty's efforts to curtail the opium trade culminated in confrontational exchanges with British forces, who operated under the pretext of protecting free trade (Waley-Cohen, 2011). The British navy's superiority allowed them to defeat China decisively, leading to treaties such as the Treaty of Nanking, which ceded Hong Kong to Britain and opened up several ports to British trade on unfavorable terms (Singh, 2011).

Despite the resistance from Chinese officials such as Emperor Qianlong and Commissioner Lin Zexu, who advocated for a rejection of Western opium, Britain's ability to engage in 'gunboat diplomacy' undermined these efforts. The failure of diplomatic appeals highlighted not only the disparity in power but also the complexities of communication and cultural misunderstanding between East and West (Zhou, 2012). Qianlong's letters, which appealed to mutual respect and non-interference, were dismissed, pointing toward a condescending attitude from British negotiators who believed that force would suffice where diplomacy failed.

Arguments for or Against British Policies in China

Looking back at British policies regarding China in the 1800s, one can argue that they were rooted in economic exploitation and disregard for Chinese sovereignty. The prioritization of profit over the welfare of the local populace mirrored today’s globalization issues where multinational corporations often exploit lax regulations in developing nations, leading to socio-economic disparities and cultural erosion (Baker, 2019). An analogy can be drawn between the historical opium trade and modern drug-related issues faced by many societies today, where the push for profit leads to long-term social consequences.

Conversely, proponents of British interventions in the 1800s may argue that they inadvertently initiated modernization processes within China, leading to reforms that eventually contributed to the nation’s economic development. However, such a perspective risks conflating coercion and modernization, as the means employed often resulted in suffering and unrest, similar to how corporate practices today can lead to local disenfranchisement. The imperial policy of exploitation has not disappeared; it has merely transmuted into different forms, necessitating a more critical view of historical and ongoing interactions (Harvey, 2019).

In conclusion, the increased presence of Westerners in Asia during the 1700s and 1800s was driven by a combination of economic motives and imperial ambitions. Britain's military dominance facilitated an aggressive trade policy in China that disregarded local customs and communications. Through careful analysis of these historical dynamics in conjunction with modern analogies, we can better comprehend the complexities of international relations and the continuities of exploitation that transcend time and context.

References

• Baker, C. (2019). Globalization and the Inequalities of Development. New York: Routledge.
• Bickers, R. (2013). Empire Made Me: An Englishman Adrift in Shanghai. London: Allen Lane.
• Ferguson, N. (2003). Empire: The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and the Lessons for Global Power. New York: Basic Books.
• Harvey, D. (2019). Capitalism, Competition, Crisis and Class Struggle. New York: Monthly Review Press.
• Sinha, M. (2008). Colonial Masculinity: The 'Man' Who Knew Too Much. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
• Singh, K. (2011). The Opium Wars: A History. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Waley-Cohen, J. (2011). The Culture of War in China: Empire and the Problem of Intercourse, 1644-1911. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Zhou, X. (2012). "The Failure of Qing Diplomacy: A Critical Analysis." Journal of Asian Studies, 71(4), 907-934.