Empire Podcast - Episode 247: Victorian Narcos: Tea Starts A Drug War (Ep 1)
Host: Goalhanger
Release Date: April 16, 2025
Hosts: William Durrimple & Anita Anand

Introduction to "Victorian Narcos" Series

[01:44] William Durrimple:
"Hello and welcome to Empire with me."

[01:46] Anita Anand:
"Anita Anand, and me, William Durrimple."

In the premiere episode of their new series, "Victorian Narcos," hosts William Durrimple and Anita Anand delve into the unexpected intersection of the British tea trade and the opium wars. This intricate narrative explores how seemingly benign commodities like tea and opium became central to the geopolitical strategies of the British Empire, shaping modern global relations.

The Unlikely Connection Between Tea and Opium

[02:01] William Durrimple:
"Victorian narcos. Has that got your attention yet?"

[02:22] Anita Anand:
"It's a very, very odd story. It's the story of how the British went to war for the right to sell drugs... The British fought two mid-19th century wars for the right to sell drugs to China."

The hosts introduce the premise of the episode: the British Empire's engagement in the opium trade with China, leading to the Opium Wars. Unlike today's "War on Drugs," where Western nations combat drug cartels, the British actively promoted and profited from drug sales to China, fundamentally altering global power dynamics.

Tea: The Intellectual Beverage with Geopolitical Power

[03:21] William Durrimple:
"Tea, though ridiculed by those who are naturally coarse in their nervous sensibilities, will always be the favourite beverage of the intellectual."

Anita Anand and William explore the deep-rooted cultural significance of tea in China, citing Thomas de Quincey's "Confessions of an English Opium Eater." They discuss how tea became synonymous with intellectualism, poetry, and scholarly pursuits in Imperial China, highlighting its role in shaping British economic and geopolitical strategies.

[03:23] Anita Anand:
"It's also associated with poetry and Buddhism... It's regarded as something cleansing, purifying..."

Tea was not merely a beverage but a ritual that permeated various aspects of Chinese society, including literature and religion. This cultural entanglement made tea a valuable and strategic commodity for the British Empire.

The British Quest for Balance of Trade and the Rise of Opium

[06:28] Anita Anand:
"Opium not only wiped out the British debt to China but also provided a positive balance of trade... It rebalances world trade by reversing the flow of silver and gold from East to West."

To address the massive trade imbalance caused by Britain's high tea imports from China, the British East India Company capitalized on the lucrative opium trade. By exporting opium to China, Britain effectively reversed the outflow of silver and gold, funding its imperial ambitions and economic expansion.

[09:37] William Durrimple:
"I wouldn't do that for all the tea in China."

This famous phrase encapsulates the British determination to secure the right to trade opium, leading to military conflicts that profoundly impacted Chinese society and the global balance of power.

Catherine of Braganza and the Introduction of Tea to Britain

[20:10] William Durrimple:
"Just remind me, Catherine of Braganza is the same person who got Bombay as a dowry present."

Anita Anand narrates how Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza introduced tea to Britain as part of her dowry when she married King Charles II. This act was pivotal in popularizing tea among the British elite, laying the foundation for its national significance.

[21:24] Anita Anand:
"There's a royalist poet from this period called Edmund Waller, who writes a poem on tea in honour of the Queen's birthday..."

The introduction of tea was not just a personal indulgence but became ingrained in British culture and literature, symbolizing prestige and sophistication.

The Explosive Growth of Tea Consumption in Britain

[27:47] William Durrimple:
"By the 18th century, we've got a country that is desperate for a cup of tea, jonesing for a cup of tea."

The episode details the rapid rise of tea consumption in Britain, driven by aggressive trading strategies of the East India Company. From minimal imports to an astronomical 24 million pounds by 1805, tea became indispensable in British society.

[28:04] Anita Anand:
"The British government begin to realize that this is something that they can make money out of, and they slap taxes on the import of tea... by the mid 18th century, it's the main source of revenue for the British government."

Tea taxation not only fueled government revenues, enabling further imperial expansion and military endeavors but also intertwined the beverage with the very fabric of British economic power.

Economic Dependencies and the Dark Side of Imperial Tea Trade

[30:11] Anita Anand:
"And there comes a darker side to this, too, because the British like to have their tea with sugar... the demand for sugar grows... sourced from West Indies slave plantations."

The insatiable demand for tea and its accompaniments, like sugar, intensified exploitation and reinforced the abhorrent slave trade. The economic dependencies created by the tea-opium-sugar nexus underscored the moral corruption embedded within the empire's expansion.

[32:05] Anita Anand:
"Alexander Dalrymple... the first time any Brit has the idea that you can sell opium to the Chinese. And so it's the beginning of this whole terrible story."

Introducing opium as a commodity to resolve trade imbalances had catastrophic consequences, leading to widespread addiction and the devastation of Chinese society, ultimately culminating in the Opium Wars.

Alexander Dalrymple: Architect of the Opium Trade

[34:14] Anita Anand:
"Alexander Dalrymple... realized that there was a large landmass where we now know Australia is. He was the one to blame... for suggesting that poppies is going to be the main thing. He plays a role in the story."

Dalrymple, the cartographer and hydrographer of the East India Company, pioneered the idea of using opium as a trade commodity to China. His strategic vision, though economically motivated, sowed the seeds for profound social and political upheaval.

[35:11] William Durrimple:
"So he's the one to blame. I mean, it's clever, but it leads to an utter catastrophe."

The hosts critique Dalrymple's role, acknowledging his ingenuity in trade strategy while condemning the ensuing human and societal costs.

Conclusion: The Enduring Impact of the Tea-Opium Trade

[36:40] Anita Anand:
"We're recording this on the day that Trump is imposing tariffs to try and sort out his balance of payments problems. So this is a continual issue in history."

Drawing parallels between historical trade imbalances and contemporary economic policies, the hosts emphasize the timeless nature of financial strategies and their profound impacts on global relations.

[36:50] William Durrimple:
"Tariffs, balance of payments. You can see why this is such a contemporary story in many ways."

The episode concludes by highlighting the lasting legacy of the British tea-opium trade, illustrating how historical economic decisions continue to influence modern geopolitical landscapes.

Key Takeaways

• Tea as Geopolitical Tool: Tea was more than a beverage; it was a strategic commodity that enabled the British Empire to correct trade imbalances and fund imperial expansion.

• Opium Wars: The British promotion of opium sales to China to balance trade led to the Opium Wars, deeply affecting Sino-British relations and contributing to China’s "Century of Humiliation."

• Economic Dependencies: The intertwined demand for tea, opium, and sugar reinforced exploitative economic practices, including the brutal slave trade and colonial dominance.

• Enduring Legacy: The historical tea-opium relationship set precedents for modern economic policies and continues to shape contemporary global dynamics.

Notable Quotes

• William Durrimple at [03:21]:
  "Tea, though ridiculed by those who are naturally coarse in their nervous sensibilities, will always be the favourite beverage of the intellectual."

• Anita Anand at [02:22]:
  "It's a very, very odd story. It's the story of how the British went to war for the right to sell drugs to China."

• Anita Anand at [06:28]:
  "Opium not only wiped out the British debt to China but also provided a positive balance of trade."

• William Durrimple at [27:47]:
  "By the 18th century, we've got a country that is desperate for a cup of tea, jonesing for a cup of tea."

• Anita Anand at [30:11]:
  "And there comes a darker side to this, too, because the British like to have their tea with sugar."

Closing Thoughts

Episode 247 of "Empire" offers a compelling exploration of how the British tea trade and the opium wars are deeply intertwined, revealing the complexities and moral quandaries of imperial expansion. Through engaging storytelling and insightful analysis, William Durrimple and Anita Anand shed light on the historical forces that continue to shape our world today.

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