Commissioner Lin's Letter To Queen Victoria In 1839

567 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: An Analysis of the Differences between Tea Culture in Chinese and Western Cultures

Central Chinese? Nah
Ancient world civilizations always had, or still have, a tendency to place themselves at the center, or superior position. One of the biggest civilizations to do so is China, being the biggest trading post in the world at one time. One country that wanted to trade with China more than anyone else was Great Britain. British men wanted one thing, tea. But unfortunately the British didn’t have anything in return worth trading, so the idea of selling opium to Chinese men for silver and then giving the silver back to China as a trade deal came alive. The opium started to cause a social problem in China, causing Commissioner Lin (Lin Zexu) to write a letter to Queen Victoria in 1839, to fix the issue. In this letter, it is present that Commissioner Lin is sinophilic, and proves that China believes they are the center of every. Context clues of the words, “the Central land” being used multiple times in ways that put China on top of the world. …show more content…

This is a sign of sinophilia, meaning the love of China, but of course Commissioner Lin is Chinese. The interpretation I get from this quote is that China thinks very highly of themselves and think they are the center of the world, whether it be physically or superiority. Another piece of context clues would be, “Has China…ever yet sent forth a noxious article from its soil? Not to speak of our tea and rhubarb, thing which your foreign countries could not exist a single day without, if we of the Central Land were to grudge you what is beneficial, and not to compassionate your wants, then wherewithal could you foreigners ever to exist? (Lin 2) This quote is basically degrading the British and questioning the Queen’s

Show More
Related

  • Queen Liliuokalani's Letter Of Protest To Mckinley

    405 Words  | 1 Pages

    Queen Liliuokalani wrote a letter, titled, “Queen Liliuokalani’s Letter of Protest to Mckinley” she writes that she believes that the treaty that the United States is trying to carry out to take over Hawaii is an injustice, since it goes against many of Hawaii’s civil rights. The letter was written, while The United States was in the Spanish-American War. The United States was attempting to take over Hawaii, just to look stronger to the Spanish. In her letter, Queen Liliuokalani discusses the treaty that the president of America is trying to carry out. America threatens to blow up Hawaii, if the Queen does not give up her power to America. One example that demonstrates the purpose and point of view is when the author states, “The treaty ignores

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Daniel Boorstin's The Discoverers

    1458 Words  | 3 Pages

    Boorstin’s bias against the Chinese is initially difficult to detect because, early on, he is constantly singing their praises; they are lauded for the organization of their government, their astronomical endeavors, their cartography, and other technological advances such as Su Sung’s astronomical clock. Later, however, they are portrayed as increasingly oblivious, naïve, and literally self-centered. On their otherwise-excellent maps, China was the central and largest figure, which accurately depicts what the Chinese thought other countries and their discoveries to be – insignificant. Regarding the invention of the clock, Boorstin stated that “Tradition, custom, institutions, language, a thousand little habits . . . became barriers,” which was why the “drama of the clock in the West was not reenacted in the East.” (Boorstin, 56) He believed that China’s barriers of the mind – their zealous nationalism and insistence that theirs was the best way – caused them to lag behind in discovery. One example of the degree that their egomania extended can be seen in their reaction to a giraffe being brought from Mozambique to the Imperial Court. Believing it to be a mythical animal signifying that all was perfect under heaven, it brought “an orgy of self-congratulation,” (Boorstin, 196) showing that “’the world’s curiosities had become mere symptoms of China’s virtue. So was revealed a Chinese Wall of the Mind

    Read More

  • Taiwan, Taipei: Why Does the Chinese Communist Party Place so Much Emphasis on Naming the Island?

    3074 Words  | 7 Pages

    ...ities as a responsible state holder. One of the consequences of the international community questioning China’s military capabilities is that the international community could potentially induce an unproductive arms race with China. If China is to participate in the race, China will have a weakened competitive position in the races of economic and intellectual strength. Secondly, China will lose the ability to use its army as a form of soft power therefore making it harder to believe that China can be a responsible state holder since it will seem like propaganda. In terms of China, the world is in a very exciting position with the promotion of the China’s model an alternative governing system is being offered. However, we need to remain vigilant and aware for just as quickly as China rose, it has the potential to fall as well if it doesn’t play it’s cards right.

    Read More

  • Bridge Of Birds Summary

    1317 Words  | 3 Pages

    There is a great art that can be found in being able to describe the world of an ancient civilization. Especially in one where large man made walls form because of the creases of a sleeping dragon’s back, or that the layout of the fields and streams of a small village create the image of a galloping unicorn when looked from up above. Yet, this is Imperial China, or as Barry Hughhart writes in his Novel Bridge of Birds, “an Ancient China that Never Was” (Hughhart 1984). This novel explores the history and the world of Ancient China, and the tales of the people who have walked across the land. Offering a summary of the book, we will be able to analyze

    Read More

  • Red Scarf Girl Sparknotes

    1057 Words  | 3 Pages

    After Chairman Mao’s death, Ji-Li and the rest of China realize that he was never the right leader for China and instead of improving China’s society, he actually prevented it. In the end, Ji-Li knows she was brainwashed by Mao’s actions. The Communist Party told them what to wear, read, think, and how to act. They never let China be free to be who they are. It was not until Mao's death that Ji-li began questioning what they were told. “It was only after Mao’s death in 1976 that people woke up. We finally learned that the whole Cultural Revolution had been part of a power struggle at the highest levels of the Party. Our leader had taken advantage of our trust and loyalty to manipulate the whole country.” (Jiang, Chapter 18). Now, as an adult, Ji-li tries to bridge the gap between China and America. She loves the freedom she enjoys in America, especially that she does not have to worry about what she says or thinks, but she does not hate China. People can not use political corruption and injustice to get what they want out of society. Promoting equality and opportunities for all is key to improving society. We can not get behind beating people up or imprisoning them because they did not abide by society’s

    Read More

  • The History of China's and Japan's Western Influence

    1442 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fairbank, John King, and Edwin O. Reischauer. China: Tradition and Transformation. Sydney: Allen & Unwin, 1979. Print.

    Read More

  • Empress Wu: Evil Usurper?

    1234 Words  | 3 Pages

    Chen, Jo-shui. "Empress Wu and Proto-feminist Sentiments in T'ang China." In Imperial Rulership and Cultural Change in Traditional China, edited by Frederick P. Brandauer and Chün-chieh Huang. 77-116. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1994.

    Read More

  • letter to queen victoria

    890 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although the First Opium War proves that this letter was unsuccessful, this letter has significance because unlike most countries and disputes, the Chinese did whatever they could to ensure that this matter had a peaceful resolution. This letter shows that the Chinese practice of Confucianism has helped them evolve as an already self sufficient country into a favored and sanctioned country for their reasonable ways.

    Read More

  • Westernization in China and Japan

    1311 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Chinese empire had once been one of the greatest and most powerful empires in the world. Before the 19th century, China had a large population and was ruled by families or dynasties. It was considered technologically advanced as China had a history of many miraculous inventions, such as: writing, magnetic compasses, movable sails, porcelain, abacus and paper money. Although China was isolated from the rest of the world, it coped well on its own, and saw no need to begin trading with the west, (as Lord McCartney proposed in 1793), since it was a self-sufficient nation. At that particular time, the Chinese empire was still able to exclude the ‘barbarians’, thus forcing them to only trade at one port. However, China soon took a turn for the worst as important ...

    Read More

  • Empress Dowager Cixi Corrupt

    2030 Words  | 5 Pages

    Sit, Tony. "The Life of Empress Cixi” (from Issue 10 of the China in Focus Magazine). Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding (SACU), 2001. .

    Read More

  • The Treaty of Nanjing

    2058 Words  | 5 Pages

    Greenberg, Michael. British Trade and the Opening of China 1800 - 42. New York: Monthly Review, 1979. Print.

    Read More

  • The Opium War

    644 Words  | 2 Pages

    While it was hard enough to stamp out opium trade from China, it was even more difficult for the Chinese government to accept the demands of the British. At this time in history, China had grown too sure of itself and presumed itself to be the greatest world power. This sort of arrogant and decrepit government is shown in the old and frail officials advising the emperor on actions against the British. Even after an initial attack and as war is looming between the two nations, China is still so sure of its power that the emperor, instead of asking for a truce, “grants” a truce for the British. At this point however, it is interesting to note that it is somewhat unclear what the intentions of the Chinese government are. The officials are seemingly divided on whether to appease the British or to wage open war. As China negotiated with Britain however, it seems that the Chinese were eager to appease any demands because they were already unsure of their ability to defend themselves against a naval attack.

    Read More

  • China is Oppressing the Uyghur People

    1690 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...ghur rights, as human beings, being violated, and who's responsibility is it to make sure that rights aren’t violated, as well as if China is living up to its responsibilities as a world power, to take care of its people.

    Read More

  • The Cause of the Opium War

    894 Words  | 2 Pages

    The geography of China was something like a fence. This isolation made the people of China feel like their country was prestigious and secluded from the rest of the world. With deserts and the Himalayas running along most of the border, it was extremely difficult to cross over one of the most dangerous mountain ranges in the world and a few other scorching deserts with the little transport they had during that time. The only way merchants could come into the country was the southeastern coast of China where most of the prosper cities resided. What led China to become conceited was because they had an abundant of goods that most of the world wanted. In 1760-1830s, China was famous for its porcelain (rich Europeans loved it), silk, and of course, tea. Since this Eastern Powerhouse’s goods were so popular, therefore, there were only a few things that interested them to trade with. It seemed as if tea was a drug for the Europeans because for them it was just so addicting, to the point they would do anything just to get more and more. The only things that were worthy for trading with the Chinese were gingko (type of plant), shark fin, a soft type of wood (used for incense) and silver. As the demand for tea rose, Britain gradually ran out of silver to trade with, and was desperate to find what China wanted. Then, the British resorted to trading opium. China was very picky of their opium. There was a certain kind of make they wanted, it was a compact ball wr...

    Read More

  • Queen Victoria Research Paper

    1092 Words  | 3 Pages

    Alexandrina Victoria, also known as Queen Victoria, was born on May 24, 1819 in Kensington Palace to Princess Victoria Saxe-Saalfield-Coburg and Edward, Duke of Kent(PBS). She was Edward’s only child. He died in 1820 of pneumonia before Victoria turned one years old. Victoria recalled her childhood as an unhappy and lonely time. Her mother was cut off from her late husband’s family so Princess Victoria Saxe-Saalfield-Coburg fell for a power-hungry advisor, Sir John Conroy. He insisted that Victoria was raised in what’s known as the “Kensington System.” Victoria was intentionally secluded from everyone except for Conroy and her mother in an attempt to gain control over her once she became queen. She wasn’t allowed to spend one second alone.

    Read More

More about Commissioner Lin's Letter To Queen Victoria In 1839

Open Document