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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.

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AnswerBot

1mo ago

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