Foreign Office, Consulate and Legation Files, China: 1830-1939
This expansive resource, drawn exclusively from The National Archives, UK, presents the files of the British legation and consulates in China. It offers a rich view of historical events, from trade routes and military conflicts, to public health challenges and revolution.
Covering a range of themes, the material includes correspondence, photographs, maps, newspapers, art, and pamphlets, uncovering the history of China and its complex relations with Britain from 1830 to 1939.
The crucial resource enables students and researchers to explore international relations outwards from multiple cities, such as Shanghai and Beijing and beyond, and examine how interactions with the UK shaped both nations during a period of dramatic change.
File classes
- FO 228
- FO 231
- FO 232
Highlights
- Materials documenting Britain’s role in the illegal Opium trade and the First and Second Opium Wars
- Coverage of the 1850-1864 Taiping Rebellion, a religious civil war during which an estimated 5-10% of China’s population died
- The British perspective on the revolutionary events of 1911-12 in which the 250-year-old Qing dynasty was supplanted by multiple republican factions and intermittent civil war
- The predominantly English-language content is supplemented by material in Chinese, as well as French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai
- Incredible visual sources including photographs, architectural drawings, maps and art
Included in
Modules include
| Module | Summary | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Section I: 1830-1895 |
The first module of this collection explores the turbulent events in China during this period through the FO 228 collection sourced from The National Archives. Documenting critical moments including the Opium Wars, the Taiping Rebellion, and the British collaboration with the Qing government, key materials include correspondence on the illegal opium trade, diplomatic discussions with foreign powers, and records of British plans for infrastructure in China. These documents reveal insights into Qing policies, international relations, and the broader socio-political landscape. |
1830-1895 |
| Section II: 1896-1911 |
Coming soon |
1896-1911 |
| Section III: 1912-1919 |
Coming soon |
1912-1919 |
| Section IV: 1920-1939 |
Coming soon |
1920-1939 |
Key data
Period covered
Source archive
- The National Archives, UK
- Economics and trade
- Missionaries
- Politics and diplomacy
- Public health
- War and revolution
- Architectural drawings
- Art
- Correspondence
- Ephemera
- Maps
- Newspapers
- Official papers
- Pamphlets
- Photographs
- Reports
- Speeches
- Business and Economics
- East Asian Studies
- International Relations
- Political History and Science
