What were the ideological justifications used by the British in the Opium Wars?

What were the ideological justifications used by the British in the Opium Wars?

The British used several ideological justifications during the Opium Wars. One of the main justifications was the concept of free trade and the belief in the principles of capitalism. The British argued that they had the right to trade freely with China and that the Chinese government's restrictions on foreign trade were unfair and detrimental to their economic interests.

Another ideological justification used by the British was the notion of Western superiority and the belief in the superiority of their civilization. They viewed China as a backward and stagnant society, and saw their intervention as a way to bring progress, modernity, and enlightenment to the Chinese people.

Additionally, the British justified their actions based on the principle of extraterritoriality, which allowed them to operate under their own legal system in Chinese territory. They argued that this was necessary to protect the rights and interests of British subjects in China.

Furthermore, the British also used the argument of defending the principle of free navigation. They claimed that China's restrictions on foreign ships navigating its rivers and coastal waters violated international law and hindered global trade.

Overall, the ideological justifications used by the British in the Opium Wars revolved around concepts of free trade, Western superiority, the spread of civilization, and the defense of international law.