HIS385H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Pearl River Delta, Sinocentrism, Canton System
Document Summary
Britain always had an interest in trade with china and hong kong was deemed a great starting part as a coastal area. The opium war did in fact instigate the british colonization of hong kong, however pre- existing conditions lead up to it. Worldviews > trade > opium war > colony. 19th century opium war would ultimately result in the colonization of hong kong. Ruler of china was considered the son of heaven, Culture as an identity resulting in culturalism = culture is the basis for chinese identity. Anyone who failed to conform to chinese culture were then seen as barbaric. ex. accepting confucianism. Chinese vs. barbarians and that china is at the center of the world. The further you were from china, the more barbaric you were. As a barbarian you either had to adopt of adapt to their culture.
