Triangular Trade Research Paper

The formation of the triangular trade started between the British, China and India where in commodities such as silver, tea and opium were bartered between the countries. During this trade, the British, used India as an instrument to produce opium. The British then intended to sell the opium to China in return for tea and silver that was exported to Britain. The triangular trade between Britain, China, and India was therefore responsible for the formation of the British trade monopoly on China. The Chinese government was struggling to ban opium smoking recreationally and by 1729 the deemed it only legal to smoke for medical purposes. Despite these efforts, opium use was increasing significantly and gradually spread from the coasts to the center of the country. …show more content…
In 1796, the port of Canton was banned for trade, but this did not last for long as the British did not withdraw. The British started selling opium in India at the port of Calcutta to local merchants from China who would then sell the opium illegally. During 1830-1839, the Chinese government implemented more and more policies to prevent opium consumption and trade. They even resorted to a death penalty to anyone involved with opium in any way, shape, or form. After many failed attempts to control the trade, the Chinese government sent Lin Zuxe to control the trade in the ports of Canton. He took extreme steps to stop the illegal trade by burning the British opium and trying to destroy the British ships. His actions led to the First Opium War which lasted from 1839 to 1842. The war resulted in the defeat of Lin's army and the signing of the "Treaty of Nanjing". The Chinese were now forced to open various ports to the British including the ones they had already been smuggling opium through. Chinese monopolies were removed and China was completely opened to the west. By 1853, the successors of the Chinese emperor had enough. They too were ready to finally put an end to the