清代的虎门防御体系与第一次鸦片战争

到第一次鸦片战争前，清朝在珠江虎门出海口水道两岸先后建成了大角炮台、沙角炮台、威远炮台、镇远炮台、靖远炮台、横档炮台、永安炮台、巩固炮台、大虎炮台、炮台连同木排铁链、水底石堆、暗桩，在虎门水道构成了一个具有三重门户的防御体系，成为清朝最大最坚固的海防要塞。但这个防御体系在1841年的大角一沙角战役和上横档战役中被英国军队摧毁，战争失败的原因是多方面的，其主要原因还是这个防御体系存在诸多缺陷。

Humen defense system in the Qing dynasty and the First Opium War

Before the First Opium War, the Qing dynasty had built, on both sides of Humen watercourse of Pearl River, Dajiao Fort, Shajiao fort, Weiyuan fort, Zhenyuan fort, Jingyuan fort, Hengdang fort,Yongan fort, Gonggu fort, Dahu fort. which constituted a triple portal together with the raft chains, underwater rock, piles, But the largest and most robust coastal defense fort of the Qing dynasty was destroyed by British troops in 1841 on Dajiao - Shajiao Campaign and Shanghengdang Campaign. Among the reasons for the failure of the war are the defects ofthe defense system.