Influential Political Figures Involved

20 October 1784-18 October 1865
He was the Prime minister during the Opium war- He exploited information and public opinion to strengthen his grip on his department, including limiting internal and external communications. To gain more power and attention, he exposed secrets to the press, published chosen documents, and revealed letters, all while whipping up British nationalism.

16 September 1782- 26 February 1850

The emperor at the time of the Opium war. He sent Lin Zexu to suppress the trade. This resulted in 1400 tons of opium being confiscated. (Ting, Joseph)

14 December 1836-

12 August 1841

He was on board the East India Company ship Nemesis for the most of the battles during the First Opium War. In the Chuenpi Convention in January 1841, he discussed conditions with Chinese Imperial Commissioner Qishan. Elliot was also the one who annonced the cession of Hong Kong Island to the United Kingdom.

30 August 1785- 22 November 1850

He forced foreign merchants to hand up their opium stocks for destruction and applied pressure on them until they promised that they would stop importing the drug. When the British retaliated by destroying large parts of South China, the emperor, who had personally authorised Lin's stern tactics, quickly dismissed and exiled him.