In history, real-world and alternate, a recurring question arises regarding the balance of trade between the West and China. How to find a good to trade with the Chinese for their tea, manufactures and other goods? In OTL, the British resorted to opium. In my current timeline, I am exploring an Asian market for coca. However, what about tobacco?
The last emperor of the Ming dynasty, Chongzhen, banned tobacco two years before his death and the collapse of his dynasty. The Qing maintained this policy and strengthened it. But there is an argument that many of the Qing's policies were simply those of the late Ming but dialed up to 11. So it is possible that if Chongzhen had never gotten around to banning the crop, then the Qing might never have seen the need to either.
So what if edicts against tobacco are never launched, and a market for the crop allowed to slowly develop. Judging my OTL modern tobacco use in China, it is a habit which hits well into the Chinese culture. Would demand for tobacco among the China, a demand which is far less damaging to the state and economy than demand for opium, allow the Europeans to maintain a balance of trade more favorable to their mercantilist points of view? And what would be the effects of that?
The last emperor of the Ming dynasty, Chongzhen, banned tobacco two years before his death and the collapse of his dynasty. The Qing maintained this policy and strengthened it. But there is an argument that many of the Qing's policies were simply those of the late Ming but dialed up to 11. So it is possible that if Chongzhen had never gotten around to banning the crop, then the Qing might never have seen the need to either.
So what if edicts against tobacco are never launched, and a market for the crop allowed to slowly develop. Judging my OTL modern tobacco use in China, it is a habit which hits well into the Chinese culture. Would demand for tobacco among the China, a demand which is far less damaging to the state and economy than demand for opium, allow the Europeans to maintain a balance of trade more favorable to their mercantilist points of view? And what would be the effects of that?