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Although sanctions were imposed by the Chinese to counter Opium use, little to no recognition of the sanction was taken by the British. This created a heavy tension between the two countries.
As time passed western superpowers, Britain specifically, saw China as another opportunity for expansion.
The British were keen to introduce and have the Chinese smoke opium. This is because it not only provided Britain with significant profit but the drugs side-effects created vast physical dependence and addiction.
Allingham, Philip V. "England and China: The Opium Wars." www.victorianweb.org. Lakehead University, 24 June 2006. Web. 01 Dec. 2013.
Goldfinger, Shandra. "Opium Wars." Opium Wars. Mount Holyoke College, 2006. Web. 02 Dec. 2013.
Fay, Peter Ward. The Opium War 1840-1842. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1975.
Waley, Arthur. The Opium War Through Chinese Eyes. London: George Allen & Unwin, 1958.
Negotiations between the British superintendent of trade and the Chinese government failed.
As a result, all foreign merchants we held hostage and all their goods, especially the opium, were disposed of.
China and Britain were now set up for a major conflict.
With such a huge population, China's government hardly accounted for other powerful countries. Given that in order to sustain their countries stability much of the focus was needed internally, little effort was taken to expand this already vast nation.
However, this neglect of external influences would soon provide to be a crippling factor for this ancient superpower.
At this time, the British navy was the most formidable fighting force. Although the Chinese fought back valiantly, they were not nearly as well organized or equipped to overcome British forces.
This led to an occupation of China's ports which re-opened opium trade.
Only this time, trade of opium wasn't hidden and trade was made open and publicly.
The British effectively took every city and port they attacked, cutting essential supplies to the Chinese people.
This forced negotiation between the Emperor and Britain and led to the Treaty of Nanking.
The Chinese were crippled and the aftermath from these conflicts with Western superpowers lasted for many decades. Without Western conflict, who knows where such a massive country could have stood in modern times. However, it was a mistake never to made again in the eyes of its people. Although this conflict forever changed the course of China, retrospectively we can see, that it showed the true toughness, hardship, and resilience the Chinese people. This piece of history should never be forgotten.
Another Opium War ensued after the treaty except for this time other industrial Western powers came to support the British for their own interest.
China's culture was essential in order to sustain such a huge population. Before outside influence, China had a feudal system with an enriched culture.
Religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism played prominent roles in influencing China's people.
Unlike most western religions, these practices focus the well being and betterment of oneself and family.
With that being said, this cultivated the Chinese people to focus their culture around primarily their spiritual well-being and status.
China's Innovation
China can be credited for providing the world with what some consider four of the greatest inventions in human history
These inventions hardly scrape the surface of all the inventions China can be credited to.
The treaties opened numerous ports in China, opening the country to foreign trade.
Certain Industries flourished for the Chinese which left other essential industries in turmoil.
Before the Opium Wars, China had a healthy rate of economic development. But the Opium Wars prematurely exposed China to much more advanced industries.
Although some of China's people were profiting, a majority of the Chinese people were faced with extremely hard lives and little hope for improvement.