WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Opium was Britain’s single most profitable commodity trade of the 19th century. After months of tensions between the two nations, the British navy launched an expedition in June 1840, which ultimately defeated the Chinese using technologically superior ships and weapons by August 1842.

Detailed explanation-2: -CONA Iconography Record. Note: First Opium War (1839-1842) was fought between China and Britain, in response to Britain’s illegal importing of opium into China from India, causing widespread addiction. The resulting defeat at the hands of the British led to the Treaty of Nanjing, which ceded Hong Kong to the British.

Detailed explanation-3: -China lost both wars. The terms of its defeat were a bitter pill to swallow: China had to cede the territory of Hong Kong to British control, open treaty ports to trade with foreigners, and grant special rights to foreigners operating within the treaty ports.

Detailed explanation-4: -The treaty committed the Chinese to free trade, including the trade in opium. Hong Kong was ceded to Britain, and the Treaty Ports of Guangzhou, Amoy, Foochow, Shanghai and Ningpo were opened to all traders. The Chinese also paid reparations.

Detailed explanation-5: -They also ceded to the British the southern portion of the Kowloon Peninsula adjacent to Hong Kong. The Opium Wars opened China to Western trade and influence but greatly reduced the Qing dynasty’s power and prestige. The dynasty would last only about another 50 years until it was overthrown in 1911/12.