ABSTRACT

In Britain's wars against Persia and China, between 1856 and 1860, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels backed the Asian side against what Marxists would call 'British imperialism'. Persia's occupation of the principality of Herat on the Persian-Afghan border in October 1856 led to war, waged by Britain on behalf of the East India Company. Commenting on the British declaration of war, Marx described the occupation of Herat as a mere pretext for British armed intervention. The 'First Opium War' led to the treaty of Nanking in 1843, by which China made substantial concessions to Britain's foreign trade interests. Another conflict between Britain and an Asian country began simultaneously with the 'little war' against Persia, but it had far greater impact on British consciousness and opinion. There was a further conflict with China in 1859-18560; like the Crimean War, it was waged jointly by Britain and France.