Murasheva Galina

The First Opium war 1839-1842 and Vietnam

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2015, №29, 223-241

 
Annotation: The paper basing on the materials of the Vietnamese historical chronicle Dai Nam Thuk Luk (True notes on the Great South) shows the dual position of the ruling Vietnamese Nguen dynasty on the First Opium war unleashed by England against China (1839-1842). Decrying England and the Englishmen for "greed, deceit and evil intentions”, at the same time the Nguens had never missed a chance to put some of responsibility for initiating the war and especially for the defeat on China. The author concludes that the Vietnamese ruling elite in the events connected with the Opium war failed to appreciate the real scale of the dangers of Western expansionism, with Vietnam very soon and unexpectedly for the Nguens becoming its victim.

Keywords: VIETNAM, THE OPIUM WAR, CHINA