WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -What caused the Opium Wars? The first Opium War was the result of China’s attempt to suppress the illegal opium trade, which had led to widespread addiction in China and was causing serious social and economic disruption there. British traders were the primary source of the drug in China.

Detailed explanation-2: -The 1840-42 Anglo-Chinese war (the so-called “Opium War”) is almost universally believed to have been triggered by British imperial rapacity and determination to sell more and more opium into China.

Detailed explanation-3: -Beyond the health problems related to opium addiction, the increasing opium trade with the Western powers meant that for the first time, China imported more goods than it exported. Settling this financial problem eventually led to the First Opium War between Great Britain and China, from 1839 to 1842.

Detailed explanation-4: -Although opium was not actually introduced into China by the British, the drug had been in China from as early as the 5th century. Brought by Assyrians, Greeks and even Arabs as an ancient medicine, opium had been used as a pain killer for centuries and was taken in pill or liquid form.

Detailed explanation-5: -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.