British Empire

The British Empire in Asia

Main article: Imperialism in Asia.

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The victory of forces of the British East India Company at Plassey in 1757 opened the great Indian province of Bengal to British rule, though later famine (1770) exacerbated by massive expropriation of provincial government revenues aroused controversy at home. The 19th century saw Company rule extended across nearly the whole of India. Following the First War of Indian Independence in 1857 the Company's territories were placed (1858) under the administration of the Crown. Queen Victoria (1837–1901) was proclaimed Empress of India in 1876.

Related Topics:
British East India Company - Plassey - 1757 - India - Bengal - British - Famine - 1770 - 19th century - First War of Indian Independence - 1857 - 1858 - Queen Victoria - 1837 - 1901 - Empress - 1876

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Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and Burma were added to Britain's Asian territories, which extended further east to Malaya and, from 1841, to Hong Kong following a successful war in defence of the Company's opium exports to China.

Related Topics:
Sri Lanka - Burma - Malaya - 1841 - Hong Kong - War - Opium - China

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British interest in China began in the late 18th century as Britain became a large importer of tea. This trade created a bilateral trade deficit which the British sought to resolve by exporting opium from India to addicts in China, despite opposition among Chinese officials to the trade. In March 1839, the Emperor of China sent a special Commissioner, Lin Tse-Hsu to Canton to stamp out the trade once and for all. Conflict over the trade resulted in the Opium Wars in which Britain twice decisively defeated China.

Related Topics:
China - 18th century - Tea - Opium - Opium Wars

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After the Opium Wars, Britain maintained a complex relationship with China. Although Britain annexed Hong Kong, most of its trade with China was regulated by treaties which allowed trade through a number of coastal ports. As a result, Britain was interested in maintaining an independent Chinese state since the collapse of China would open opportunities for territorial gains by other Western Powers.

Related Topics:
Hong Kong - Western Powers

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At the same time, Britain was opposed to a Chinese state that was too strong, because this would allow China to cancel or renegotiate its treaties. These interests explain the apparent contradictions of British policy in China: Britain provided the Qing dynasty with aid during the Taiping rebellion, but at the same time, in alliance with France, engaged in the Second Opium War against the Qing court.

Related Topics:
Qing - Taiping rebellion - Second Opium War

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