ADVERTISEMENT

Last Updated:
2024-10-18 07:10:53

Opium Wars

Conflicts between China and Western powers in 19th century
Opium Wars
Opium Wars
Conflicts between China and Western powers in 19th century

The Opium Wars were two conflicts between China and Western powers in the mid-19th century. The wars resulted in China being forced to legalize opium and grant trade concessions to Western powers, weakening the Chinese government's authority and leading to the cession of Hong Kong to the British Empire.

Community for Timeline Editors
Place where unique editors like you interact
39/64
1729
China's Ban on Opium

In 1729, China first banned the drug opium, yet despite this ban, the importation of opium into China increased dramatically in the following years.

1750
Rise of British Tea Imports from China

By 1750, British demand for Chinese tea had significantly increased, with imports rising from 32.5 tons annually to 1,250 tons per year. The popularity of tea in Great Britain played a crucial role in shaping trade relations between the two countries.

1757
Qing Emperor's Trade Policy in Guangzhou/Canton

In 1757, the Qing emperor issued an order that only the port of Guangzhou/Canton would be open for trade with foreigners in China. This policy required trade to be conducted through licensed Chinese merchants, imposing strict regulations on foreign trade.

1784
American Trade with China Begins

American trade with China began in 1784, focusing on exports such as furs, sandalwood, and ginseng. However, Chinese demand for American goods was limited, leading to a trade imbalance.

1793
Lord George Macartney's Diplomatic Mission to China

In 1793, Lord George Macartney, the first British diplomatic representative to China, requested the Qing ruler to allow a permanent British diplomatic residence in Beijing and open new ports for international trade. However, his requests were rejected by the Qianlong Emperor, leading to tensions between the British Empire and China.

1796
Opium Ban in China

In 1796, China implemented a complete ban on opium due to the growing rate of addiction among its population. However, British merchants continued to smuggle opium into the country illegally.

1800
Chinese Government Bans Opium Production and Importation

In the year 1800, the Chinese government recognized the social problems caused by opium addiction and banned both the production and importation of opium in an attempt to address the issue.

1813
Chinese Government Outlaws Opium Smoking

In 1813, the Chinese government took further steps to combat opium addiction by outlawing the smoking of opium and imposing a punishment of beating offenders 100 times.

1820
Silver Outflows in China

As silver outflows increased in China, reaching two million taels by 1820, the price of silver rose relative to copper, causing economic challenges for Chinese peasants who used copper as currency.

1830
Chinese Smugglers' Boats in Opium Trade

By 1830, there were more than 100 Chinese smugglers’ boats working the opium trade, buying opium from British and American ships and distributing it within China through a network of Chinese middlemen.

1831
Discovery of Opium Use Among Chinese Army and Government

In 1831, the Chinese emperor discovered that members of his army and government, as well as students, were engaged in smoking opium, adding to the growing concerns about addiction and smuggling in China.

1833
End of East India Company's Monopoly in China

In 1833, the East India Company lost its monopoly in China via an act of the British government, leading to an increase in the importation of opium into China by various merchants.

1834
Loss of Monopoly by British East India Company

In 1834, the British East India Company lost its monopoly over British opium, leading to a decrease in selling price by dealers to compete for customers, resulting in increased opium consumption in China.

1836
Chinese Government Crackdown on Opium Trade

In 1836, the Chinese government intensified efforts to enforce the 1813 ban on opium, closing dens and executing Chinese dealers, but the problem continued to escalate, leading to a debate on how to address the crisis.

1838
Opium Smuggling in China

By 1838, opium smuggling in China had reached a critical point, with over 1,000 tonnes of opium being smuggled in by the British annually. Suggestions to ease prohibitions were rejected, and smugglers faced the death penalty.

1839-01-01
First Opium War

The First Opium War was a conflict between Great Britain and China from 1839 to 1842, triggered by the opium trade and China's increasing imports. After a series of naval conflicts, the British imposed demands on the Qing Government in the Anglo-Chinese Treaty of Nanjing.

1839-03-18
Daoguang Emperor's Edict on Opium Smuggling

On March 18, 1839, the Daoguang Emperor issued an edict emphasizing severe penalties for opium smuggling in Canton.

1839-08-29
First Opium War

The First Opium War highlighted the Qing dynasty's vulnerability and marked a turning point in Chinese history, allowing foreign powers to dictate economic and foreign policies for a century.

1839-09-04
Skirmish between British and Chinese Warships

A small skirmish took place between British and Chinese warships in the Kowloon Estuary on September 4, 1839.

1840
British fleet arrives in China

In 1840, a British fleet arrived in China as a response to the arrest of a British opium trader and the confiscation of a large amount of opium by the Qing government. This event marked the beginning of the First Opium War.

1842
Treaty of Nanking

The Treaty of Nanking was signed in 1842, ending the First Opium War between Britain and China. This treaty ceded Hong Kong to Britain and opened several Chinese ports to British trade.

1842
Treaty of Nanking

The Treaty of Nanking was signed after the First Opium War, where Britain emerged victorious. It granted Britain control over Hong Kong and opened up several Chinese ports for trade, marking the beginning of 'unequal treaties' imposed on China.

1844
Unequal Treaties between China and Western Powers

The year 1844 marked the establishment of unequal treaties between China and western powers, following the Treaty of Nanjing. These treaties allowed westerners to spread Christianity and build churches in China, leading to increased foreign influence in the country.

1850
Dismissal of Peace Faction in China

After the death of the Chinese emperor in 1850, his successor dismissed the peace faction in favor of those who had supported Lin Zexu. This political shift had implications for China's foreign relations and internal power struggles.

1856-01-01
Second Opium War involving China, Great Britain, and France

The Second Opium War took place from 1856 to 1860, where a weakened China fought against Great Britain and France. China lost the war and had to make concessions such as opening treaty ports and granting special rights to foreigners.

1856-10-08
Second Opium War

The Second Opium War was waged by Britain and France against China, resulting in China being forced to legalize opium. The superior military advantages of European forces led to China signing unequal treaties granting favorable tariffs, trade concessions, and territory to Western powers.

1857
British capture of Canton

In 1857, during the Second Opium War, the British captured Canton as part of their efforts to enforce the opium trade with China. This event played a role in the expansion of British influence in the region.

1858
Establishment of Imperial Maritime Customs Service

Merchants established the Imperial Maritime Customs Service to regulate trade for foreign merchants and provide revenue to the Chinese Government.

1859
British and French forces advance towards Beijing

British and French forces continued their attacks on Chinese forts, leading to the advance towards Beijing despite Chinese resistance.

1860
British and French capture Beijing

In 1860, British and French troops landed near Beijing, fought their way into the city, and captured it. The British High Commissioner ordered the looting and destruction of the Imperial Summer Palace.

1879
Peak of Opium Imports into China

In 1879, Chinese imports of opium reached a peak of 87,000 chests. This surge in opium imports had detrimental effects on Chinese society and economy.

1898
1898 Lease of the New Territories

The 1898 lease of the New Territories expanded British Hong Kong's territory, shaping the modern boundaries of the region.

1949
Communist Party of China's Rise to Power

In 1949, the Communist Party of China took control, inheriting the memory of past humiliations like the First Opium War, leading to a transformation of China from a broken state to a unified nation under CPC rule.

1960
The Opium War Through Chinese Eyes

The book 'The Opium War Through Chinese Eyes' edited by Arthur Waley provides a unique perspective on the Opium War from the Chinese point of view, offering insights into the cultural and historical significance of the conflict.

1975
The Opium War, 1840–1842: Barbarians in the Celestial Empire

Peter Ward Fay's book 'The Opium War, 1840–1842: Barbarians in the Celestial Empire' delves into the early 19th-century conflict between China and Britain, shedding light on the dynamics of the war and its impact on both nations.

2002
The War of the Poppies

Leslie R. Marchant's article 'The War of the Poppies' in History Today explores the historical significance of the Opium War, focusing on the impact of opium trade and addiction during that period.

2011
The Opium War: Drugs, Dreams, and the Making of Modern China

Julia Lovell's book 'The Opium War: Drugs, Dreams, and the Making of Modern China' examines the role of opium in shaping China's modern history, highlighting the cultural and societal transformations brought about by the war.

2014
The Opium Wars: The Addiction of One Empire and the Corruption of Another

W. Travis Hanes and Frank Sanello's book 'The Opium Wars: The Addiction of One Empire and the Corruption of Another' delves into the addictive nature of opium and its impact on both the Chinese and British empires during the Opium Wars.

2018-06-03
Did China Have a Chance to Win the Opium War?

Miles Maochun Yu's article 'Did China Have a Chance to Win the Opium War?' discusses the military history of the Opium War and explores the strategic decisions made by China during the conflict.

End of the Timeline
Opium Wars
Become an Editor of Timeline Wiki
Become an Editor of
Timeline Wiki
USD $0 for creating and editing infinite number of timelines after sign up.