Opium Wars
Wars between Britain and the Qing Empire (mind 1800s), caused by the Qing government’s refusal to let Britain import Opium. China lost and Britain and most other European powers were able to develop a strong trade presence throughout China against their wishes; Europe’s push eastward, mainly fueled by economic desires.
The Opium Wars were two military conflicts fought in the mid-19th century between China and Great Britain. The wars were mainly fought over trade issues and diplomatic relations.
The first Opium War began in 1839 due to the British exporting opium to China, which was illegal in China but highly profitable for British traders. The Chinese government attempted to stop this trade and ordered the destruction of British opium shipments, which led to the British Navy attacking and defeating the Chinese navy. As a result of this conflict, China was forced to sign the Treaty of Nanjing, which gave Hong Kong to the British and opened China’s ports to British trade.
The second Opium War began in 1856 when the British, along with the French, attacked China again over trade issues and the treatment of foreign diplomats. The British and French forces were able to defeat the Chinese army and force them to sign the Treaty of Tientsin, which further expanded foreign trade in China and granted foreigners extraterritoriality in some areas.
The Opium Wars had a profound impact on China’s political and economic situation. China was forced to open its markets to foreign influence and trade, leading to unequal treaties with foreign powers and the loss of significant territories. The wars also contributed to the weakening of imperial China and the rise of nationalism and anti-foreign sentiment in China.
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