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China, a land rich in culture, history and traditions faced a lot of their share of conflicts and struggles. Among the various conflicts, the opium wars were quite significant which left a major impact on China's history.
In this article, we will uncover the complex web of different factors that led them.
Understanding The Opium Wars
Before we dive deep into the causes of wars, we should understand them.
These two fights were fought between China and Western countries, especially Britain and France, between 1839 and 1842 (First Opium War) and 1856 to 1860 (Second Opium War).
These battles were centred on the illegal opium trade and its negative impact on Chinese society.
The Opium Wars were an interconnected event that led one to another, let’s uncover these factors.
1. Opium Trade and Addiction Epidemic
The Opium wars that unfolded during the 19th century were greatly influenced because of the large-scale use and addiction within the nation.
The main source of Opium in China was the British merchants who imported them.
It was produced from a plant and soon became a great source of income due to its addictive nature. Opium was processed into many forms, making it appealing to a large portion of the Chinese people.
As the Opium addiction kept spreading, it triggered a crisis within the society. The addiction of Opium reduced the productivity of the Chinese workforce. Those who became addicted to it lost all reasons to enjoy real enjoyment leading to a decline in economic productivity.
2. Trade Imbalance and British Deficit
The trade between China and Britain was heavily in the favour of China. The British Empire wanted a lot of commodities from the likes of Chinese Silk, Tea and Porcelain.
To pay for the commodities the British merchants resorted to exporting Opium to China, creating a massive trade imbalance. Which soon becomes fruitful for them. Opium, with its addictive nature, captured a marketplace for them in China.
3. Cultural Clash and Imperialism
The Opium Wars in China were ignited only because of the Opium trade and trade imbalance but they also had profound culture and ideology. The wars uncovered the worldview of both powers, where China’s Qing Dynasty wanted to have a diplomatic relationship.
Western powers were interested in expanding their rule and influence, challenging China's sovereignty. The Qing Dynasty saw Westerners as “Barbarians”.
Western countries imposed the opium trade not only to redress trade deficits but also to exert control over China's economy. The British East India Company, for example, was essential in solidifying the concept of foreign exploitation.
4. The Treaty of Nanking (Nanjing)
The First Opium War which happened between 1839-1842, reached its conclusion with the signing of the Treaty of Nanking. The treaty did end the conflicts but imposed humiliation and far-reaching conditions on China.
One of the most impactful provisions of the treaty was the cession of Hong Kong, a strategically located island, to Britain. The Loss of Hong Kong was a symbol of China’s defeat and humiliation by a foreign power.
The Treaty of Nanking also demanded China to pay indemnity payment to Britain. The payment further strained China's already weakened economy and financial resources. It added to the economic challenges the nation faced because of the Opium Trade.
In summary, the Treaty of Nanking, which marked the end of the First Opium War, imposed a series of onerous conditions on China that had lasting implications.
5. Second Opium War and the Treaty of Tientsin
The second Opium War which erupted in 1856, were the direct consequence of unresolved issues from the first war. The second war was because of the escalation of Western involvement in China. This time France, the United States, and Russia formed a coalition against China.
The Western countries launched a series of military campaigns and offensiveness against China to expand their influence in the Chinese territories.
The Treaty of Tientsin which was signed in 1856, marked a critical phase of the Second Opium War. This treaty expanded the terms in the Treaty of Nanking with additional terms that weakened China.
The Treaty compelled China to open up more ports for foreign trade and It also increased the number of treaty ports where foreign powers may station soldiers while maintaining their own legal jurisdictions.
In summary, the second opium war led to an increase in Western power in China.
Final Thoughts
The Opium Wars in China were an intermixed play of economic interests, cultural clashes and imperial ambitions. The Opium Wars continue to serve as a poignant reminder of China's struggle for autonomy and the consequences of foreign intervention.
In this exploration, we have shed light on a lot of major factors and their impacts on China because of the Opium Trade which played a major role in China's history.
Written by Shivam Sharma
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