History Essay on the Acts of the Second Trip by Fortune

The acts of the second trip by Fortune had the prime significance of the tea trade. Robert Fortune perpetrated industrial espionage at the bequest of the British Empire by stealing Chinas tea secrets. Apparently, China strictly guarded its tea plants and current technology. Anyone who was caught stealing these secrets or intending to steal these secrets was to be subjected to the death penalty. As opines above, there was the then opium war. The British due to their immense love for tea and its fortune wanted to trade opium for tea. This proposal was rejected by the then intelligent Chinese leaders.

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The British Empire had no other viable means of acquiring these skills and techniques which would be useful in their endeavors. Through its company in India, it acted as an auctioneer, trader, militia, and economic powerhouse. They were zealously determined in ensuring that China tea secrets among other secrets were revealed to them.This zeal made them settle for the acts of industrial espionage through Fortune. These acts raised lots of ethical issues both on the conduct of the company and the being of Robert Fortune as a professional horticulturist.

The author views the books protagonist as a mere industrial spy, and less credit is accorded to his persona. It may be imperative to presume that Fortune was a determined researcher who undertook a search to query for tea plants that could flourish in the Indian Himalayas. He might have been working for the British Indian Company, but that doesnt demean his being as a professional researcher. In his endeavor, he experienced harsh weather conditions, prejudice, and other challenges. His expeditions whether influenced or not influenced by Britain changed the fate of many nations.

The Question of Hu is a book by Jonathan Spence that tries to narrate the historical basis of Hu, the Chinese. The author questions on whether the Chinese is mad or not. He gives a clear narration of his daily endeavors and mode of life. The Question of Hu displays all the strengths and flaws of Spences method. The incident under investigation (whether the Chinese is mad or not) has no world-historical significance. Though it is a historical book, it can be perceived to be a fictional book that narrates on the Chinese history. Comparing this book to Sarahs book, one can comprehend the significance and basis of having a comprehensive and substantive literature.

Sarahs book i.e. For all the tea in China; How England Stole the World's Favorite Drink and Changed History has viable historical significance. It explains how the tea cultivation and production no longer sufficed as a monopoly of the Chinese Empire. This book provokes the reader to ascertain whether the acts of industrial espionage by the British Empire were warranted. Were these acts necessary evils? Were they mere acts of theft of property (industrial espionage)? Can they be justified? These questions among others will be serving as a point of reflection upon comprehending the book.

This historical event can be compared to the current acts of industrial espionage or property theft. For example, China is nowadays accused of intellectual property theft from the USA and other European nations. Will it be sufficient to persecute China or China should be accorded an opportunity for justification? Conclusively, the book vividly stipulates on the concept of industrial espionage and aftermath in the world.

Bibliography

Rose, Sarah. For All The Tea In China. 1st ed. New York: Penguin Books, 2011.

Spence, Jonathan D. The Question Of Hu. 1st ed. New York: Vintage Books, 1989.