During the 1700s, Britain and much of Western Europe went through the Industrial Revolution. Europe’s economy became dictated by large-scale manufacturing done by newly created factories. The change in the economy started capitalism and led to Europe wanting to purchase many Chinese products, especially tea, silk and porcelain. However, although China did not experience the Industrial Revolution, the country had a self sufficient economy, and had no reason to trade with Europe. Lacking a way to trade with China, the British East India Company began growing opium in India to trade for Chinese products. Chinese citizens began buying opium, resulting in the increased use of and addiction to the drug. This led China to start regulating opium in
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The Opium Wars caused growth in foreign trade in China due to the fifteen ports that were opened. This resulted in the disruption in the previously self-sufficient economy of China, which resulted in inflation and poverty. The Wars also conflicted with the strong Confucian beliefs of China, due to Christian missionaries being allowed to travel freely throughout China, as well as opium use escalating. Due to Confucian beliefs being debilitated, a shift in Chinese culture and values occurred, starting the process of China becoming more Western. China also lost political strength because of the Opium Wars. The emperor of China was embarrassed because of China’s defeat, and the new influence of Europe caused conflict between officials in the Chinese government. The interaction of Britain with China, a country that was not closely involved with Europe, caused drastic effects on the economy, culture, and politics of the country, changing the role China played in the world. The example of the effects of the Opium Wars displays how intercontinental interaction can result in many negative effects because of the imbalances of power between the countries involved. The results of the Opium Wars can be applied Europe and other Western powers interfering with other self-sufficient nations and causing unexpected negative effects, such as the colonization of America or India. It is important to understand the differences of countries to prevent the destruction of a country’s
The Opium Wars caused growth in foreign trade in China due to the fifteen ports that were opened. This resulted in the disruption in the previously self-sufficient economy of China, which resulted in inflation and poverty. The Wars also conflicted with the strong Confucian beliefs of China, due to Christian missionaries being allowed to travel freely throughout China, as well as opium use escalating. Due to Confucian beliefs being debilitated, a shift in Chinese culture and values occurred, starting the process of China becoming more Western. China also lost political strength because of the Opium Wars. The emperor of China was embarrassed because of China’s defeat, and the new influence of Europe caused conflict between officials in the Chinese government. The interaction of Britain with China, a country that was not closely involved with Europe, caused drastic effects on the economy, culture, and politics of the country, changing the role China played in the world. The example of the effects of the Opium Wars displays how intercontinental interaction can result in many negative effects because of the imbalances of power between the countries involved. The results of the Opium Wars can be applied Europe and other Western powers interfering with other self-sufficient nations and causing unexpected negative effects, such as the colonization of America or India. It is important to understand the differences of countries to prevent the destruction of a country’s