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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Opium Wars
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(1839–42, 1856–60) Two of the more shameful episodes in British imperial history. On each occasion *China was invaded to protect the illegal but immensely profitable opium trade, a major part of the commercial enterprise of the *East India Company. Victory in the first war brought *Hong Kong into British hands; the second war, fought by Britain and France together, ended with the capture of Peking and the sacking of the emperor's summer palace. The effect and underlying purpose of each war was the opening up of China to western interests, thus beginning decades of exploitation.
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