Opium Essay

Introduction “Opium entered China on the back of a camel, and ended up breaking the back of an entire nation” -Unknown This paper studies the trade disputes over opium between China and Britain and the two wars that resulted from these disputes in the 19th century. The focus of this paper will primarily be British actions in the years leading up to the Wars, the Wars themselves, and the aftermath of the Wars. The first war was fought between 1839 and 1842, while the second was fought from

for more lands and power. Although some may argue that the commodities of tea and opium had little to no impact on the Imperialism in Asia, tea and opium were important to the European powers because it led to Britain seizing Hong Kong, Indian trade, and the Chinese trade as well. First, Britain seized Hong Kong from China. The Opium War of 1839-1842 was when China refused to be part of Britain’s free trade of opium, which was illegal and both nations fought each other because of the commodity. From

Jordyn Saito Pacific Basin Prof. Dongyoun Hwang 12/3/16 The Opium Wars Imperial China was one of the greatest civilizations. It was leading in its inventions, trading routes, and craftsmanship. Beginning in 221 BC, it lasted up till the final Qing Dynasty. It’s downfall can be attributed to the introduction of the drug, opium, from the west. It’s introduction inspired two wars, namely The Opium wars of the 19th century. In the 18th century, the country was flourishing, while it had control

British Responsibility for the Opium War The outcome of the Opium War marked a new age of western imperialism, effectively forcing China’s doors open to the West. How did such a war come about in the first place? At the heart of the conflict lay incompatible market ideologies: China’s interests were in maintaining their traditional tributary system and suppressing the opium trade, while the British desired free trade and diplomatic equality. In a complex storyline filled with misunderstandings and

To contextualize relevant to the political, social, and economic causes and effects of the first and second opium wars during the modern period 1750-1900 CE, the rate of interconnectedness, industrialization and global integration was rapidly increasing in the western hemisphere while the eastern hemisphere, specifically China, was experiencing great misfortune. At this time there was a significantly high demand for Chinese goods in Europe such as porcelain and chinese silk, but the Chinese did not

have many issues with a drug called opium. British merchants longed for Chinese goods, but the Chinese did not want many of the goods that they had. This situation caused a trade imbalance to occur between China and Britain (3). In order to pay for the Chinese luxuries that they wanted, the British increased the production of opium in India and began to trade Bengal opium in China (2). The Chinese empire objected to the opium trade many times, but the demand for opium kept increasing (2). The drug caused

The Opium War was a major part of China’s history. There were many economic issues, (the high cost of importing opium), political issues (disobedience of Chinese ban on opium imports) and consequences of the British victory (Britain’s greater power over China) that precipitated the Opium war, but the British victory had the greatest impact on China because the extension of British power reduced China’s autonomy and made them more dependent on Europe. The high cost of importing opium had major consequences

literal definition; the act of a country to take over other nearby countries, to gain power and economic influence. An example of imperialism is the Opium Wars (Britain and China). The Chinese and the British were in war because British wanted to dominate and have all the goods that came from China like opium. This is why the example of the the Opium War will help understand the definition of what imperialism means in a real life situation. It all started with looking for which surrounding territory

Who's to blame for the Opium Wars? The Opium Wars were a series of two wars fought between the British Empire and Chinese over trading right within the borders of China, however which nation is to blame for the opium wars? Firstly Britain had a stronger power over China which gave them more confidence to take hold of China. Secondly Britain was given countless of times to stop the opium trade but still became angry after they blew it up and Thirdly Even after Britain had gotten hold of Hong Kong

Opium Wars in China The Opium Wars were a series of three wars between the Chinese and the British; primarily fought in regard to the illegal trade of opium in China during the 19th century. They manifested the conflicting natures of both nations and demonstrated China’s misconceptions of its own superiority. The Opium Wars resulted in the humiliating defeat of the Chinese to a country they considered to be “barbarians”. There were many problems with the system of trade in China; even before