to change the balance of trade in favor of Britain.
The war in 1839, known as the First Opium War, began primarily due to tensions between China and Britain over the opium trade. British merchants were illegally exporting opium to China, leading to widespread addiction and social issues. The Chinese government's attempts to suppress the opium trade, including the confiscation of opium stocks in Canton, provoked Britain to respond militarily to protect its trade interests. This conflict ultimately highlighted the clash between imperial powers and Qing China's sovereignty.
The main reason for the conflict between Britain and China in the 19th century was the opium trade. Britain was exporting opium from India to China, leading to widespread addiction and social issues in China. The Chinese government's attempts to curb the opium trade culminated in the First Opium War (1839-1842), as Britain sought to protect its economic interests, resulting in a series of unequal treaties that favored British trade and territorial control. This conflict marked the beginning of significant Western influence and intervention in China.
China and Britain traded opium, Britain go the opium from south India, Chinese people were getting onto this drug and so China tried to stopped all trade with Britain. China also tried to get rid of most of the opium but failed, china hurt Britain's economy and Britain attacked china's navy but china ended up losing because Britain went through the Industrial Revolution so they had better weapons that could reload faster and fire farther
Great Britain would not stop its merchants from selling opium in China.
Britain and China
China declared a ban on opium trading and ordered Britain to stop
Britain gaind the right to trade with china
The British reversed their trade deficit with China primarily through the opium trade. British merchants, particularly the East India Company, began exporting opium from India to China, where it was in high demand. This trade facilitated the flow of silver into Britain, effectively balancing the trade. The situation ultimately led to significant socio-economic issues in China and contributed to the Opium Wars.
China and Britain traded opium, Britain go the opium from south India, Chinese people were getting onto this drug and so China tried to stopped all trade with Britain. China also tried to get rid of most of the opium but failed, china hurt Britain's economy and Britain attacked china's navy but china ended up losing because Britain went through the Industrial Revolution so they had better weapons that could reload faster and fire farther
China and Britain traded opium, Britain go the opium from south India, Chinese people were getting onto this drug and so China tried to stopped all trade with Britain. China also tried to get rid of most of the opium but failed, china hurt Britain's economy and Britain attacked china's navy but china ended up losing because Britain went through the Industrial Revolution so they had better weapons that could reload faster and fire farther
selling opium
Bc Britain wanted to trade their opium for china’s tea