causes of the opium war
The first Opium War (1839 - 1842)
negative impacts of opium
addiction was widespread (social impact)
Increasing opium trade with the Western powers meant that for the first time, China imported more goods than it exported which meant that China would be going through financial problems
Extraterritoriality. When a chinese national was killed by a British national, Britain refused to let the man be tried in China
In 1838, Lin Zexu ordered the confiscation of all the
British merchants' opium supplies, which infuriated them. The superintendent of trade in China promised them compensation
the second opium war (1856-1860)
To reduce the flow of Silver to China, Britain began to trade Opium to China. China put a ban in 1729 and 1796. To get around this ban, British were smuggling opium from their Indian colonies to Chinese merchants.
Ended with the treaty of Nanking
Long term causes
Trade
Cultural differences
chinese wanted silver in return for goods instead of british goods, which the british thought was expensive and unfair
the british were ignorant of chinese cultures, law and customs: thus, the chienese regarded british people as 'foreign devils'
Both China and Britain believed themselves to be the most powerful nation in the world, leading to resentment
Black tea was in high demand in Britain at the time
Import tariffs would eventually make up 10% of all government income in 20 years. Britain was suffering from a massive trade deficit with China as a result of its desire for tea.
China had a 'closed door' trading system (The Canton system), which frustrated the British. They attempted to open trade twice, but both missions were unsuccessful (1793 + 1816)
A Chinese ship was flying a British flag and was boarded by Chinese officials who believed t hat there were some pirates on board. In arresting the crew, the British flag was torn down. The British were furious and ordered the release of the crew and an official apology for the treatment of the flag. The Chinese returned the crew but did not apologize.
Ended with the treaty of Tientsin
Britain to be given preferred nation status, Britain took over the port city of Hong Kong
In all future dealings China had to treat Britain as equal, China had to pay 21 million silver dollars to compensate the war and extra for the opium they destroyed,
British people were to have special rights in certain areas, the British claimed extraterritorially, Four additional ports were to be opened up to trade with the West
Six more ports to be opened up to foreign trade, Opium importation to China was made legal with a small import duty
Christain Missionaries were to be given complete freedom to convert people, Europeans were allowed to travel anywhere in China without restriction
Ambassadors of European countries were allowed to set up residence in Beijing