Historedia
Person

Charles Elliot

Events
4
Episodes
7
Years
1839–1842

Every event in Historedia whose sources name Charles Elliot, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Battle of Kowloon: first armed clash of the Opium War

    1839

    Role: Admiral and British official in charge

    1. 4 September 1839 · Kowloon PeninsulaBattle of Kowloon

      British vessels fired on Chinese war junks enforcing a food sales embargo on the British community in China.

  2. Event of 1839: Destruction of opium at Humen begins, casus belli for Britain to open the 3-year

    1839–1842

    Role: Chief Superintendent of British Trade in China

    1. 1839–1842 · Qing ChinaCasus Belli for First Opium War

      The destruction of opium provided the casus belli for Great Britain to declare war on Qing China, initiating the First Opium War.

  3. Britain occupies Hong Kong

    1841

    Role: British official and negotiator

    1. 25-26 January 1841 · Hong Kong IslandMilitary Occupation of Hong Kong Island

      British forces occupied Hong Kong Island in late January 1841, using it as a military staging point after the Second Battle of Chuenpi.

    2. 26 January 1841 · Possession PointFlag Raising at Possession Point

      The Union Jack was raised on 26 January 1841, marking the formal British occupation of Hong Kong Island following the Convention of Chuenpi.

  4. Convention of Chuenpi agreed by Elliot and Qishan

    1841

    Role: British Superintendent of Trade and Plenipotentiary

    1. 20 January 1841 · ChuenpiNegotiation and Signing

      Following the Second Battle of Chuenpi, Qishan negotiated with Elliot, agreeing to the Convention on 20 January 1841 without imperial approval.

    2. 20 January 1841 · ChuenpiTerms Agreement

      The convention stipulated the cession of Hong Kong Island, an indemnity for destroyed opium, and trade concessions including the reopening of Guangzhou.

    3. 20 January 1841 · Governments of UK and QingGovernment Rejection

      Both governments rejected the published terms, dismissing Elliot and Qishan from their positions despite the convention's unratified status.

Sources

  1. First Opium War Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-02
  2. Destruction of opium at Humen Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-31
  3. History of Hong Kong Wikipedia
  4. British Hong Kong Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-04
  5. Qishan (official) Wikipedia, revision of 2026-05-23
  6. Charles Elliot Wikipedia, revision of 2026-07-26