1

A People Deserving of Respect

By Richard Cobden

Richard Cobden deplored the way that politicians in Britain justified their wars abroad by portraying other countries as barbarous and backward.

2

Bullies to the Weak, Cowards to the Strong

By Richard Cobden

Richard Cobden wanted to know why British policy towards China was so different to our policy towards the USA and European powers.

3

Banner of Liberty

By William Ewart Gladstone

In 1840, Secretary at War Thomas Macaulay treated the Union Jack like a bully’s visiting card, but backbencher William Gladstone believed it deserved better.

4

The First Opium War

By Jawaharlal Nehru

In 1840, the British Government declared war on the Chinese Empire over their harsh treatment of drug smugglers from Bengal.

5

‘Tremblingly Obey!’

By Jawaharlal Nehru

Following a historic embassy in 1792-93, Chien Lung, the Emperor of China, despatched a haughty letter rebuffing King George III’s offer of trade.

6

A Very Rapid Promotion

By Aeneas Anderson

Aeneas Anderson, who accompanied Lord Macartney on Britain’s first embassy to China, shared a tale illustrating the Qianlong Emperor’s notion of fair play.