The Opium Wars

Britain loved Chinese tea—but China wanted silver in return. Britain didn’t want to keep paying so much silver, so it pushed opium into China by growing it in India and selling it illegally in Chinese markets.

Opium was extremely addictive. People who became addicted could grow thin and weak and spend money they didn’t have. By the late 1800s, estimates suggest around 10% of China’s population—about 40 million people—may have been addicted.

Opium Lumps: Picture courtesy of the House Opium Museum: www.houseofopium.co 

There were two Opium Wars:

• First Opium War (1839–1842): Britain’s navy and modern weapons overwhelmed Qing forces. China lost and had to sign the Treaty of Nanjing, opening ports and giving Hong Kong to the British. This is why Hong Kong is very different today than the rest of China.
  
  

• Second Opium War (1856–1860): Britain and France attacked again. After entering Beijing, troops looted and burned the Old Summer Palace, a huge cultural treasure full of art and history.

Naval superiority means having better ships and weapons at sea. British ships were steam-powered, so they could: sail against the wind, turn quickly, and move up rivers and along coastlines.

Qing ships (junks) depended on wind and were much slower. British warships sailed along China’s coast and rivers, bombarding cities and homes until the Qing surrendered.

These wars forced China to sign unequal treaties, giving up ports and power. Foreigners could live in China and not have to obey its laws. However, some of these ports became very rich as new trade entered China. This included Shanghai which is today one of China's richest cities.

An Opium Den: Picture courtesy of the House Opium Museum: www.houseofopium.co