William Tyler
The Opium Trade and Wars
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Summary
One of the worst episodes in Chinese-Western relations was the sale of opium by Western powers, especially by Britain, in the 19th century, which created a massive increase in opium addiction causing grave consequences for the Quing regime. The situation led to two Opium Wars, the so-called “Century of Humiliation,” and a distrust by the Chinese of the West, a distrust which survives to this day.
William Tyler
William Tyler has spent his entire professional life in adult education, beginning at Kingsgate College in 1969. He has lectured widely for many public bodies, including the University of Cambridge and the WEA, in addition to speaking to many clubs and societies. In 2009, William was awarded the MBE for services to adult education, and he has previously been a scholar in residence at the London Jewish Cultural Centre.