In the context of the Second Opium War, the Battle of Zhangjiawan was a crucial encounter between the Anglo-French forces and the Qing Dynasty's military on the pathway to Beijing. Following the occupation of Tianjin, the allied troops faced a larger Qing army that sought to halt their advance. The British and French commanders, employing both strategic maneuvering and rapid assaults, coordinated their efforts effectively against the more significant Chinese forces. Positioned just outside Beijing, the result of this battle was a decisive victory for the allies, demonstrating their military superiority and the Qing forces' vulnerabilities. The engagement occurred in an atmosphere of escalating conflict that defined the Second Opium War, which was primarily instigated by issues surrounding trade, opium trafficking, and diplomatic tensions between China and the Western powers.

The aftermath of the battle significantly weakened Qing defenses and emboldened the allied forces. As the victors regrouped, they pushed onward towards Beijing, setting the stage for more intense confrontations. The successful outcome at Zhangjiawan not only contributed to the eventual capture of Beijing but also highlighted the challenges faced by the Qing military in adapting to modern warfare tactics. This battle played an instrumental role in the unfolding narrative of the Second Opium War, characterized by Western imperial ambitions and their implications for China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.