Second Opium War Begins
Poets involved
What happened
The Second Opium War began in 1856, involving Anglo-French forces waging war against Qing China to expand trading rights and legalize opium. This conflict was fueled by tensions over trade imbalances and the British desire to secure greater access to Chinese markets. The war ultimately led to the Treaty of Tientsin in 1856, which imposed significant concessions on China, further entrenching foreign influence and contributing to the decline of the Qing dynasty.
Literary impact
The Second Opium War deepened debates on imperialism and morality in Victorian poetry, influencing critiques of aggressive empire-building. Poets like Alfred Lord Tennyson and Elizabeth Barrett Browning engaged with themes of colonialism, questioning the ethical implications of British expansion.
Source: Wikipedia
