Sangam: A Confluence of Knowledge Streams

The Amherst Embassy and British Discoveries in China

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dc.creator Hao, G
dc.date 2018-11-30T16:26:46Z
dc.date 2014-09-15
dc.date 2018-11-30T16:26:46Z
dc.date.accessioned 2022-05-27T01:03:22Z
dc.date.available 2022-05-27T01:03:22Z
dc.identifier Vol. 99 (337), pp. 568 - 587
dc.identifier 10.1111/1468-229X.12069
dc.identifier http://hdl.handle.net/10871/34952
dc.identifier 0018-2648
dc.identifier History
dc.identifier.uri http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/CUHPOERS/241942
dc.description This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this record
dc.description The 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.
dc.language en
dc.publisher Wiley
dc.rights © 2014 The Author. History © 2014 The Historical Association and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
dc.rights http://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved
dc.title The Amherst Embassy and British Discoveries in China
dc.type Article


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