The Summer Palace was burned in retaliation for the Chinese mistreatment (and murder) of British (largely Indian) soldiers.
The usual reaction in those days would have been to burn Beijing; but the British commander took pity on all the innocent people there, so he selected the summer palace of the dynasty (which was responsible) instead.
“The Summer Palace was burned in retaliation for the Chinese mistreatment (and murder) of British (largely Indian) soldiers.”
The Chinese mistreated invading soldiers who were forcing them to allow the import of opium when the Chinese were openly fighting to stop it. How rude to not be welcoming to your invaders.
Lots of crap in the old world is blown out of proportion, but the opium wars were evil. And for extra fun we still suffer from them today. HSBC was created by the Brits to serve the dope trade. And the hostile China we have today unfolded from that era.
Back then the Brits were basically Sinaloa in China.