On September 5, 1839, hostilities erupted between the Qing Empire and the United Kingdom in what would become known as the first opium war. This devastating conflict wouldn't be China's last encounter with opium-fueled warfare, however. Time and again, the Qing Chinese found themselves on the losing side, largely because their military technology couldn't match that of their opponents. The ultimate outcome? European nations walked away with highly advantageous tariffs and trade concessions.
At the heart of the opium wars stood China's Qing dynasty, pitted against France and Great Britain. The initial conflict kicked off in 1839 and dragged on until 1842, with only the Chinese and British squaring off in this first round. What follows is a condensed look at the tangled history connecting Opium and China.
What drove these wars in the first place? China's determined efforts to stamp out the Opium trade, which had already been declared illegal. Below are some noteworthy details surrounding these conflicts.
Fun Facts
Between 1839 and 1842, the British and the Qing Dynasty clashed in what became the first opium war.
The British government was determined to secure expanded opium trade privileges from the Qing administration.
Lasting from 1856 to 1860, the second opium wars saw France and Great Britain emerge with even more favorable trading rights.
The second opium wars, also known as the Arrow Wars, culminated in the signing of the Treaty of Tientsin.
As the last orthodox dynasty in Chinese history, the Qing dynasty followed the Ming dynasty, which had ruled before it.
Across the span of Qing rule, thirteen rulers served as emperor in some form or capacity. The opium wars unfolded during the reign of the Daoguang Emperor, who held power for about thirty years.
Both conflicts were waged on Chinese ground, and in each case the invading forces claimed overwhelming victories, owing to their superior military training and technology.