Opium Wars

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.