Death & Glory At the Taku Forts, China 1860 (P2)

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Published 2024-03-05
How 7 Victoria Crosses were awarded during the storming of the Taku forts in China, 1860.

It is the 2nd part of my talk covering the 2nd Opium War.

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This episode tells the story of the 7 men to be awarded during the battle as well as the storming of the Taku Forts in 1860.
I then go on to explain the British (and French) occupation Beijing and their forcing the Chinese to sign a peace treaty, which still impacts China's view of the west to this day.

Along the way you will also hear how the Emperor of China's Summer Palace was burned to the ground by the British, including the future General Charles Gordon (Gordon of Khartoum).

You will also learn how the future General Sir Garnet Wolseley narrowly missed being beheaded by the Chinese, and how Private John Moyse was beheaded and became a Victorian legend.

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Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:57 Recap from Part 1
2:47 General Hope Grant
4:33 Destination Taku Forts
6:28 Hero or Myth?
8:11 Storming of Taku Forts
11:55 7 Victoria Crosses
13:08 Casulaties
14:24 British Envoy Abducted
15:06 Battle of Palikao
16:06 Sacking of Summer Palace
18:52 Convention of Peking
21:43 What Happened Afterwards?
27:44 More Videos


Timeline of the 2nd Opium War & Storming of the Taku Forts

1842 - Treaty of Nanking ends First Opium War
Oct 1856 - Arrow seized by Chinese (Arrow Incident)
23rd Oct 1856- Admiral Seymour bombards Chinese forts in Pearl River
15 Jan 1857 - Chinese baker slips arsenic into bread in Hong Kong
28 Dec 1857 - British & French bombard Canton
5 Jan 1858 - British & French enter Canton
20 May 1858 - Admiral Seymour seizes Taku Forts.
26 June 1858 - Treaty of Tientsin
24 June 1859 - Admiral Hope arrives at Taku Forts
25 June1859 - Chinese defeat Admiral Hope at Taku Forts
May 1860 - British - French expeditionary force arrives at Shanghai
12 Aug 1860 - General Hope Grant lands up river from Taku Forts
21 Aug 1860 - Taku forts successfully stormed by British & French forces.
18 Sep 1860 - Harry Parkes and his escort ambushed & captured by Chinese
21 Sep 1860 - Battle of Palikao
13 Oct 1860 - General Napier enters Peking (Beijing)
24 Oct 1860 - Lord Elgin arrives in Beijing to conduct peace treaty (Convention of Peking)






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My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.

History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.

My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"

Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.

Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

All Comments (21)
  • @johnedreslin
    Yes! I want to hear about the Napier expedition. Enjoyed this episode very much.
  • @harryshriver6223
    Wow, what a great story, so many interesting characters in one theater! 👏 I was mesmerized by the whole affair, especially by the youngest receptient of the VC. I guess British history must be thankful he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Wolseley must have been counting his lucky stars that day! Well done, amigo and kudos to you! 😊
  • @ac5128
    Thank you yet again for making such wonderful and detailed videos. We all appreciate your hard work. Also, YES to Abyssinia!
  • I believe that the Abyssinian campaign was covered in Mason McCann's book: When The Emporor Dies. Well worth a read in my humble opinion.
  • @Fedi1412
    Keep up the great work! Love your videos 🫶
  • @estebanshaw
    Yes. As always you render each episode with a wonderful diction that makes it easy to listen to. Keep it up!
  • @kmorton54
    Chris, I really appreciate the quality of the videos you post. Yours is one of my favorite channels on YouTube
  • @ragnarl9130
    Fantastic, I could listen all day,, great to conclude with how the all ended up, bravo sir
  • @FranciscoPreira
    Fantastic video. a great finale, please do the Abyssinian story, best regards.
  • A great video, thanks. And it’s a great big yes from me regarding a future Abyssinian video.
  • @BootsontheTable
    Another fascinating video Chris. As you say it’s amazing to think of the ‘what if ‘ moments in history
  • @Beerpopnana
    Good afternoon Chris! Thank you for another interesting and enjoyable video.
  • @Fred-px5xu
    This is one of the best video lecture on the subject I have had the pleasure to view. Sir you come too scratch and delivered a mighty blow. I await your next offering.
  • @johnphillips3943
    Another fantastic video, thank you. Yes please on Abyssinian expedition. John :)
  • @tomhirons7475
    i know the fitzgibbons family well, they live near me in east devon. They are still contacted by the Victoria cross society, he was buried in india with his VC, but someone on wikopedia put the name of the cemetary, so i think it has probably been Stolen now.