How British Opium Trade with China Sparked the Opium Wars and Shaped Global Trade History

What was the major export from India that the British sold in China to gain a favorable balance of trade?

Opium

The major export from India that the British sold in China to gain a favorable balance of trade was opium. During the 18th and 19th century, the British East India Company established a monopoly on opium production in India and began trading it to China in exchange for tea, silk, porcelain, and other goods. The demand for opium in China grew rapidly, especially among the Chinese elite, leading to addiction on a large scale. This profitable trade led to the Opium Wars (1839-1842 and 1856-1860) between China and the British, which ultimately resulted in Britain gaining control of Hong Kong and opening more ports for trade.

More Answers:

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