The British forced China to trade for tea and silks primarily by exporting opium, which was grown in British-controlled India. As the Chinese population became increasingly addicted to opium, demand surged, leading to a trade imbalance that favored Britain. This situation ultimately resulted in the Opium Wars, which forced China to open its markets and cede territories, such as Hong Kong, to British control. Through these conflicts, Britain established a significant foothold in Chinese trade.
silks
The Sassoons were huge players in the opium trade in China. A Jewish family from Iraq, they went on to make millions through the British East Indian Company.
Opium
In the 1700s, the British faced a trade imbalance with China due to high demand for Chinese goods like tea, silk, and porcelain, while Chinese interest in British products was minimal. To address this, the British East India Company began exporting opium from India to China, which created a lucrative market and allowed the British to earn silver to pay for their imports. This trade not only balanced their accounts but also led to significant social and economic consequences in China, ultimately contributing to the Opium Wars.
East
Britain used military force to expand trade.
Trade. Export of opium to China (grown in British India) had been a very profitable business for the British. When the Chinese Government tried to put a stop to it, Britain started the war to force China to re-open its market for this British export product.
The British wanted to trade opium for China's resources.
Trade. Export of opium to China (grown in British India) had been a very profitable business for the British. When the Chinese Government tried to put a stop to it, Britain started the war to force China to re-open its market for this British export product.
trade
The crusades were responsible for the loss of trade from China through the middle east. So people wanted their spices and silks and were willing to try going west to get to China.
It means that the British were importing more goods from China than they were exporting goods to China.
The British wanted to trade opium for China's resources.
silks
silks
opium
The British were forced to pay for their imports with silver. The British sent increasing quantities of silver to China, especially in exchange for tea, which was in great demand by British. At first, the British tried to negotiate with the Chinese to improve the trade imbalance. When negotiating failed, the British turned to trading opium.