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Opium War Research Paper

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The Opium War of 1839-1842, was a war in which British merchants sought to legalize the trade of opium after commissioner Lin Zexu made it illegal for anyone to trade or bring in any opium. (Modern World History, ch. 13) The main goal or motive behind the opium wars was mainly due to Chinese merchants not having any interest in trading with European goods. In turn Europeans were forced to buy trading goods such as, tea, porcelain, silk, and lacquerware with silver instead of simply trading European goods for Chinese goods. (Modern World History, ch. 13) As a result, Europeans, The British East India Comp in particular (Modern World History, ch. 13) sought for other ways of making profit because the Chinese restrictions were severely draining …show more content…

(Modern World History, ch. 13) That decision clearly did not satisfy the Europeans and in turn sparked the Opium Wars. The highly industrialized British military severely outclassed the Chinese military, the use of muskets and swords by the Chinese was no match for the British rifles and iron gunboats. (Modern World History, ch. 13) After a short period, the Chinese government was forced to sue for peace which led to humiliating consequences and unjust peace terms with not only Britain, but France, Japan, and the United States as well. These unjust consequences included: repaying the costs of that war to Britain, opening ports to British trade, grant total control of Hong Kong to Britain, and providing a treaty of extraterritoriality to all British citizens living in China. (Caswell) Extraterritorially was unfair because it granted Europeans the power to do whatever they felt seen fit and can only be subject to laws and courts of their own nation. (Caswell) The opium wars concluded with unfair treaties that were greatly exploited by Europeans, and ultimately resulted in Britain and other European countries to take total economic control of China as well as, extend their influence to the rest of

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