The Opium Wars were two wars in the 19th century which forced China to trade with the world. The first opium war was between Great Britain and China in the 19th century, this was also called the Anglo-Chinese War. War had begun due to the different viewpoints they had on diplomatic relations, trade, and administration of justice for foreign nationals in China.
An imbalance in the European market was created when the Europeans demanded for Chinese goods (silk,porcelain, and tea). In the 17th and 18th century, China was self-sufficient, during that time Europe was not allowed to enter China’s territory. Later in the 18th century, opium was being auctioned by the British East India Company. Britain was illegally exporting opium, which mostly …show more content…
However, we soon learn that is not the case. Many of the European powers became unhappy because China and the current Qing Dynasty failed to follow the terms of the treaty. During this time, efforts of the chinese were directed more to ending the Taiping rebellion and therefore Britain sought to bring attention to the issue by attacking Chinese port cities. The British, wanting to extend the trading rights that they had in China, found an excuse to prolong and continue the war. In October of 1856, Chinese officials boarded the British-registered ship, Arrow, while it was docked in Canton, arrested several Chinese crew members, and allegedly lowered the British flag. Later that month a British warship sailed up the Pearl River began bombarding Canton, and there were battles between British and Chinese troops. Trading ceased as a stalemate ensued. In December Chinese retaliated by burning foreign trading factories in Canton. Hostilities escalated and France soon joined the British military effort, more so for vengeance on the french missionary who murdered in …show more content…
Causing the United States, France and Russia in 1858 to sign a treaty with China in Tianjin. In the existing treaties that were produced by the first opium war, underneath the most-favored nation clause “all of the foreign powers operating in China were permitted to seek the same concessions of China that Great Britain achieved by force” (The Opening to China Part II: the Second Opium War, the United States, and the Treaty of Tianjin, 1857–1859).This would then grant the foreign powers certain rights and privileges. They could freely travel and conduct business or missions anywhere in China. Despite this, Britain still demanded that Chinese citizens be able to emigrate on British ships. The list of agreements continues with tariffs, diplomacy, legations, the establishment of the Imperial Maritime Customs Service and eventually the legalization of the opium
An imbalance in the European market was created when the Europeans demanded for Chinese goods (silk,porcelain, and tea). In the 17th and 18th century, China was self-sufficient, during that time Europe was not allowed to enter China’s territory. Later in the 18th century, opium was being auctioned by the British East India Company. Britain was illegally exporting opium, which mostly …show more content…
However, we soon learn that is not the case. Many of the European powers became unhappy because China and the current Qing Dynasty failed to follow the terms of the treaty. During this time, efforts of the chinese were directed more to ending the Taiping rebellion and therefore Britain sought to bring attention to the issue by attacking Chinese port cities. The British, wanting to extend the trading rights that they had in China, found an excuse to prolong and continue the war. In October of 1856, Chinese officials boarded the British-registered ship, Arrow, while it was docked in Canton, arrested several Chinese crew members, and allegedly lowered the British flag. Later that month a British warship sailed up the Pearl River began bombarding Canton, and there were battles between British and Chinese troops. Trading ceased as a stalemate ensued. In December Chinese retaliated by burning foreign trading factories in Canton. Hostilities escalated and France soon joined the British military effort, more so for vengeance on the french missionary who murdered in …show more content…
Causing the United States, France and Russia in 1858 to sign a treaty with China in Tianjin. In the existing treaties that were produced by the first opium war, underneath the most-favored nation clause “all of the foreign powers operating in China were permitted to seek the same concessions of China that Great Britain achieved by force” (The Opening to China Part II: the Second Opium War, the United States, and the Treaty of Tianjin, 1857–1859).This would then grant the foreign powers certain rights and privileges. They could freely travel and conduct business or missions anywhere in China. Despite this, Britain still demanded that Chinese citizens be able to emigrate on British ships. The list of agreements continues with tariffs, diplomacy, legations, the establishment of the Imperial Maritime Customs Service and eventually the legalization of the opium