In Both The Qianlong Emperor's Letter (1799) And Commissioner Lin's Letter (1839), How Do They Repeatedly Refer To The British?A. Barbarians B. Angels C. Ugly D. Close Friends

by ADMIN 179 views

The Perception of the British in 18th and 19th Century China: A Comparative Analysis of Qianlong Emperor's Letter and Commissioner Lin's Letter

Introduction

The Qianlong Emperor's Letter, written in 1799, and Commissioner Lin's Letter, written in 1839, are two significant historical documents that provide insight into the perception of the British by the Chinese during the 18th and 19th centuries. These letters, written by two prominent Chinese officials, reflect the complex and often tumultuous relationship between China and the British Empire. In this article, we will examine how the Qianlong Emperor and Commissioner Lin repeatedly referred to the British in their letters, and what these references reveal about the Chinese perception of the British during this period.

The Qianlong Emperor's Letter (1799)

The Qianlong Emperor's Letter, written in 1799, is a response to a letter from King George III of England, in which the British monarch expressed his desire to establish trade relations with China. The Qianlong Emperor's response is a scathing critique of British imperialism and a defense of Chinese sovereignty. Throughout the letter, the Qianlong Emperor repeatedly refers to the British as barbarians.

The Qianlong Emperor's Letter: A Reflection of Chinese Nationalism

The Qianlong Emperor's use of the term "barbarians" to describe the British is a reflection of Chinese nationalism and a desire to maintain Chinese sovereignty. The Qianlong Emperor saw the British as a threat to Chinese power and influence, and his use of this term was a way of asserting Chinese superiority over the British. This perception of the British as barbarians was not unique to the Qianlong Emperor, but was a common view among Chinese officials and intellectuals during this period.

Commissioner Lin's Letter (1839)

Commissioner Lin's Letter, written in 1839, is a response to the British demand for the surrender of opium to the Chinese authorities. The letter is a passionate defense of Chinese sovereignty and a critique of British imperialism. Throughout the letter, Commissioner Lin repeatedly refers to the British as barbarians.

Commissioner Lin's Letter: A Call to Action Against British Imperialism

Commissioner Lin's use of the term "barbarians" to describe the British is a reflection of his desire to resist British imperialism and maintain Chinese sovereignty. Commissioner Lin saw the British as a threat to Chinese power and influence, and his use of this term was a way of asserting Chinese superiority over the British. This perception of the British as barbarians was not unique to Commissioner Lin, but was a common view among Chinese officials and intellectuals during this period.

Comparison of the Two Letters

A comparison of the Qianlong Emperor's Letter and Commissioner Lin's Letter reveals a common theme: the perception of the British as barbarians. Both letters reflect a desire to maintain Chinese sovereignty and resist British imperialism. The use of this term by both the Qianlong Emperor and Commissioner Lin is a reflection of Chinese nationalism and a desire to assert Chinese superiority over the British.

The Perception of the British: A Reflection of Chinese Nationalism

The perception of the British as barbarians by the Qianlong Emperor and Commissioner Lin is a reflection of Chinese nationalism and a desire to maintain Chinese sovereignty. This perception was not unique to these two officials, but was a common view among Chinese officials and intellectuals during this period. The use of this term by both the Qianlong Emperor and Commissioner Lin is a reflection of the complex and often tumultuous relationship between China and the British Empire during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Qianlong Emperor's Letter and Commissioner Lin's Letter provide valuable insight into the perception of the British by the Chinese during the 18th and 19th centuries. The repeated use of the term "barbarians" by both officials reflects a desire to maintain Chinese sovereignty and resist British imperialism. This perception of the British as barbarians is a reflection of Chinese nationalism and a desire to assert Chinese superiority over the British. The complex and often tumultuous relationship between China and the British Empire during this period is a fascinating topic of study, and these two letters provide a unique window into this period of history.

References

  • Qianlong Emperor. (1799). Letter to King George III of England.
  • Commissioner Lin. (1839). Letter to the British authorities.
  • Fairbank, J. K. (1968). The Cambridge History of China: Volume 10, Part 1. Cambridge University Press.
  • Spence, J. D. (1990). The Search for Modern China. W.W. Norton & Company.

Discussion Questions

  1. What is the significance of the Qianlong Emperor's Letter and Commissioner Lin's Letter in understanding the perception of the British by the Chinese during the 18th and 19th centuries?
  2. How does the use of the term "barbarians" by the Qianlong Emperor and Commissioner Lin reflect Chinese nationalism and a desire to maintain Chinese sovereignty?
  3. What are the implications of the complex and often tumultuous relationship between China and the British Empire during this period?
  4. How does the perception of the British as barbarians by the Qianlong Emperor and Commissioner Lin reflect the cultural and historical context of the time?

Further Reading

  • Fairbank, J. K. (1968). The Cambridge History of China: Volume 10, Part 1. Cambridge University Press.
  • Spence, J. D. (1990). The Search for Modern China. W.W. Norton & Company.
  • Wang, Y. (2004). The Chinese Imperial System: A Study of the Qing Dynasty. University of California Press.
  • Li, Z. (2013). The Opium Wars: A Study of the First and Second Opium Wars. University of Hong Kong Press.
    Q&A: The Perception of the British in 18th and 19th Century China

Introduction

The Qianlong Emperor's Letter and Commissioner Lin's Letter provide valuable insight into the perception of the British by the Chinese during the 18th and 19th centuries. In this Q&A article, we will explore some of the most frequently asked questions about these letters and the complex relationship between China and the British Empire during this period.

Q: What is the significance of the Qianlong Emperor's Letter and Commissioner Lin's Letter?

A: The Qianlong Emperor's Letter and Commissioner Lin's Letter are significant because they provide a unique window into the perception of the British by the Chinese during the 18th and 19th centuries. These letters reflect the complex and often tumultuous relationship between China and the British Empire during this period.

Q: Why did the Qianlong Emperor and Commissioner Lin refer to the British as "barbarians"?

A: The Qianlong Emperor and Commissioner Lin referred to the British as "barbarians" because they saw them as a threat to Chinese power and influence. This perception was a reflection of Chinese nationalism and a desire to maintain Chinese sovereignty.

Q: What was the context of the Qianlong Emperor's Letter?

A: The Qianlong Emperor's Letter was written in response to a letter from King George III of England, in which the British monarch expressed his desire to establish trade relations with China. The Qianlong Emperor's response was a scathing critique of British imperialism and a defense of Chinese sovereignty.

Q: What was the context of Commissioner Lin's Letter?

A: Commissioner Lin's Letter was written in response to the British demand for the surrender of opium to the Chinese authorities. The letter was a passionate defense of Chinese sovereignty and a critique of British imperialism.

Q: How did the perception of the British as "barbarians" reflect Chinese nationalism?

A: The perception of the British as "barbarians" reflected Chinese nationalism and a desire to maintain Chinese sovereignty. This perception was a way of asserting Chinese superiority over the British and resisting British imperialism.

Q: What are the implications of the complex and often tumultuous relationship between China and the British Empire during this period?

A: The complex and often tumultuous relationship between China and the British Empire during this period has significant implications for our understanding of the history of international relations. It highlights the importance of cultural and historical context in shaping the perceptions and actions of nations.

Q: How does the perception of the British as "barbarians" reflect the cultural and historical context of the time?

A: The perception of the British as "barbarians" reflects the cultural and historical context of the time, in which China was seen as a superior civilization and the British were seen as a threat to Chinese power and influence.

Q: What can we learn from the Qianlong Emperor's Letter and Commissioner Lin's Letter?

A: We can learn from the Qianlong Emperor's Letter and Commissioner Lin's Letter that the perception of others is shaped by cultural and historical context. We can also learn that the complex and often tumultuous relationship between nations is a reflection of the complex and often tumultuous nature of human relationships.

Q: How can we apply the lessons of the Qianlong Emperor's Letter and Commissioner Lin's Letter to modern international relations?

A: We can apply the lessons of the Qianlong Emperor's Letter and Commissioner Lin's Letter to modern international relations by recognizing the importance of cultural and historical context in shaping the perceptions and actions of nations. We can also learn from the complex and often tumultuous relationship between China and the British Empire during this period to promote greater understanding and cooperation between nations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Q&A article provides a unique window into the perception of the British by the Chinese during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Qianlong Emperor's Letter and Commissioner Lin's Letter reflect the complex and often tumultuous relationship between China and the British Empire during this period, and provide valuable insights into the cultural and historical context of the time.

References

  • Qianlong Emperor. (1799). Letter to King George III of England.
  • Commissioner Lin. (1839). Letter to the British authorities.
  • Fairbank, J. K. (1968). The Cambridge History of China: Volume 10, Part 1. Cambridge University Press.
  • Spence, J. D. (1990). The Search for Modern China. W.W. Norton & Company.

Discussion Questions

  1. What is the significance of the Qianlong Emperor's Letter and Commissioner Lin's Letter in understanding the perception of the British by the Chinese during the 18th and 19th centuries?
  2. How does the use of the term "barbarians" by the Qianlong Emperor and Commissioner Lin reflect Chinese nationalism and a desire to maintain Chinese sovereignty?
  3. What are the implications of the complex and often tumultuous relationship between China and the British Empire during this period?
  4. How does the perception of the British as "barbarians" reflect the cultural and historical context of the time?

Further Reading

  • Fairbank, J. K. (1968). The Cambridge History of China: Volume 10, Part 1. Cambridge University Press.
  • Spence, J. D. (1990). The Search for Modern China. W.W. Norton & Company.
  • Wang, Y. (2004). The Chinese Imperial System: A Study of the Qing Dynasty. University of California Press.
  • Li, Z. (2013). The Opium Wars: A Study of the First and Second Opium Wars. University of Hong Kong Press.