Summary of James Bradley's The China Mirage

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.

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#1 The Chinese were known to be very stingy with their knowledge and goods, so the British began importing enormous quantities of Chinese tea to satisfy and stimulate its new factory worker class. The constant importation of Chinese tea drained the coffers of many European nations.

#2 The Chinese had a very strict system of trade with foreign nations, and it was difficult for the British to comply with. In 1793, King George III of England sent emissaries to Beijing with impertinent demands. The emperor refused to cede a piece of land or allow peer-to-peer diplomatic relations.

#3 The British were also involved in the opium trade, and they would often bribe Chinese officials to make it possible. The Chinese emperor had outlawed opium, but the British were able to exploit coves and islands along China’s rocky coast to open up more areas for their illegal trade.

#4 The first successful American round-trip trade voyage to China was conducted by Robert Morris in 1784. Morris sold Chinese tea in America, and the proceeds were used to buy Turkish opium and sell it back to the Chinese. This generated a huge profit for the American sea merchants.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Apr 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669380634

IRB Media

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Insights on James Bradley's The China Mirage

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 5

Insights from Chapter 6

Insights from Chapter 7

Insights from Chapter 8

Insights from Chapter 9

Insights from Chapter 10

Insights from Chapter 11

Insights from Chapter 12

Insights from Chapter 13

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

The Chinese were known to be very stingy with their knowledge and goods, so the British began importing enormous quantities of Chinese tea to satisfy and stimulate its new factory worker class. The constant importation of Chinese tea drained the coffers of many European nations.

#2

The Chinese had a very strict system of trade with foreign nations, and it was difficult for the British to comply with. In 1793, King George III of England sent emissaries to Beijing with impertinent demands. The emperor refused to cede a piece of land or allow peer-to-peer diplomatic relations.

#3

The British were also involved in the opium trade, and they would often bribe Chinese officials to make it possible. The Chinese emperor had outlawed opium, but the British were able to exploit coves and islands along China’s rocky coast to open up more areas for their illegal trade.

#4

The first successful American round-trip trade voyage to China was conducted by Robert Morris in 1784. Morris sold Chinese tea in America, and the proceeds were used to buy Turkish opium and sell it back to the Chinese. This generated a huge profit for the American sea merchants.

#5

The Russell and Company warehouse, a compact three-story building housing about a dozen partners, functioned as a storeroom, a church, and a place of business. The lower floor held the merchandise, kitchen, and servants’ quarters. The upper floors held the offices, dining room, and traders’ personal quarters.

#6

The Chinese were extremely upset by the amount of opium being brought into their country, and the effects it was having on their population. They believed that the opium trade was corrupting their officials, demoralizing their people, and draining their wealth.

#7

The Chinese government, led by Governor Lin Zexu, had begun to crack down on the sale and use of opium in 1839. In response, the sea barbarians surrendered their valuable opium. Then, in front of cheering Chinese, they had three enormous trenches dug and filled them with the seized opium.

#8

The First Opium War was a boom time for Delano. English traders were forced to observe the British blockade of China, yet valuable cargoes from other sources continued to arrive.

#9

Delano had spent a decade in the China trade by 1843. He had seen Westerners transform themselves from supplicants to victors who dictated terms. He decided to return to Massachusetts for a short vacation.

#10

After the Treaty of Wangxia, which