...In the eighth century, the Arabs brought opium to China. China was well aware of the medicinal uses of opium. It was used as a remedy for diarrhea and as a pain reliever. Opium, however, is an addictive drug. Because of its addictive qualities, the Chinese Emperor banned the usage of Opium. With opium being banned, two major wars broke out. The First Opium War and the Second Opium War. These two wars are known as the Opium Wars. There were two main causes as to what caused the Opium wars. First, the difference between the two countries. And second, the greed of the British traders. What is more, the difference of the cultures of Britain and China was one of the causes of the breakout of the Opium Wars. Most Chinese people thought of the British to be barbarians since their customs were unfamiliar to them. There was bound to be friction between the two countries each time they interacted with each...
Words: 697 - Pages: 3
...Opium War Information The Opening of China The War, although entitled "The Opium War" was in fact not about opium at all. As President John Quincy Adams said, "The seizer of a few thousand chests of opium smuggled into China by the Chinese government was no more the cause of the Opium War than the throwing overboard of the tea in the Boston harbor was the cause of North American Revolution." In the race to colonize the world, China represented the last prize in the Far East for European countries. The Opium War was the first step designed to open China along with its markets and resources for exploitation. The War itself physically opened China. However, it was the aftermath of the War that exposed China, economically, socially, politically and ideologically to the outside world. The unequal treaties signed after the Opium War were the primary mechanisms to open China. • Treaties and Their Effects The Treaty of Nanjing (August, 1842) and supplement treaties (July and October 1843) signed between the British and the Chinese were the first of the humiliating "unequal treaties". It radically increased the openings for trade in China and expanded the scope of British activities. The treaties opened five ports, Canton, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Linbou and Shanghai to conduct foreign trade as treaty ports. A war indemnity of 21 million Mexican dollars was to be paid by the Chinese government. Hong Kong was surrendered to the British, giving the British a base for further military...
Words: 2347 - Pages: 10
...Sauvik Chakraborty HIST 212 Dr. Ernst Pijning The Opium Wars in China: The upheaval of isolationist China The introduction of foreign commodities in Europe raised consumerist ambitions to a frenetic level of activity as the multitudes of Europeans viewed their possession and consumption, a symbol indicative of status. The throngs of people were engaged in taking advantage of some significant exploratory achievements made by certain trailblazing expeditioners. The trade routes opened up by these explorers exposed Europe to seemingly boundless prospects of trade, which in turn facilitated the meeting of demands raised by the classes favored by such ventures. There were certain commodities that enjoyed considerably higher appeal amongst the masses than certain other commodities. Opium was one such commodity that did not enjoy widespread repute in Europe as Wolfgang Schivelbusch states in ‘Tastes of Paradise’ “[narcotics] have achieved such a tremendous such a tremendous significance in other cultures but never really gained a foothold in Europe.” (205). Opium, as a substance, has been heralded as a useful crop and was adopted as food, for anaesthetic purposes and ritualistic purposes from times immemorial. Schivelbusch states that in 19th century Europe, opium had a “regular place in the family medicine chest” and was quite frequently used as “sedative and painkiller” (206). The use of opium was becoming increasingly widespread as both urban and rural workers were ushering...
Words: 2048 - Pages: 9
...Opium War There were two Opium Wars. The first one was from 1839-1842. This war was fought between China and Britain. This war was fought over the two not seeing eye to eye on a lot of things. The second Opium War was from 1856-1860. In this war the British forces fought toward the legalization of the Opium trade. The reason they did this was to be able to expand coolie trace, to be able to open all of China to British merchants, and also to be able to expand foreign imports from internat transit duties. This was when France then joined the British. In this essay we are going to cover both of the Opium Wars. The expansion of European imperialism in Asia was all economic. In the British market there was a high demand for Chinese tea, also Chinese silk, and also Chinese porcelain. But, Britain did not have the right amount of silver to be able to trade with the Qing Empire. So, a system of barter and trade was put into effect, which was based on the Indian Opium which was created to help bridge the payment problems that Britain was having. Because of the “the subsequent exponential increase of opium in China brought about a generation of addicts and social instability.” (He, T.). This caused the British merchants and the Qing government to clash, which led to the Opium Wars. So as a “result, the British were given the island of Hong Kong and trading rights in the ports of Canton and Shanghai.” (He, T.). The first Opium War was over their conflicting views and points of their...
Words: 769 - Pages: 4
...The Anti-Drug Campaign and the First Opium War In 1930, Chinese officials began to have growing concerns about the increasing trade of opium with the British. China’s social and economic status started to decline due to the opium trade agreement. Chinese addiction to opium became overwhelming and eventually forced China to launch Lin Zexu’s Anti-Drug Campaign in 1839. As a result, this campaign was viewed as a violation of the trade agreement with Britain and helped led to the First Opium War. China isolated themselves from the western world, believing they didn’t need anything from foreign trade. For eight decades, the only port that China opened was called the Canton System. The problem was China only wanted silver in exchange for their exports to Europe. Unfortunately, Europe only traded in gold and silver was hard to come by. Desperate to resolve the foreign trade, Britain realized they can acquire such a commodity in opium from India to exchange for exports in China. The trade of India’s opium started as a medical drug in the early 1800’s between China and Britain. Eventually, it triggered massive dependences throughout China’s society that affected the rich and poor equally. Before long, the demand for the drug was overwhelming, resulting in China importing more opium than exporting trades. Thus, resulting in an imbalanced foreign trade and stability of China’s society. A decree issued in 1810 from the Chinese Emperor stating, “Opium is a poison, undermining our good...
Words: 1788 - Pages: 8
...China has gone through major changes throughout the second half of the 19th century up till the early 20th century. The result of the Opium Wars opened up China to the rest of the world, which contributed to the fall of the Qing dynasty. The Wars struck a crippling blow to the Qing Empire and it demonstrated how weak China was compared to the European powers. The ailing Qing dynasty during the middle of the 19th century created opportunities for the European imperialists who were interested in crippling China. They wanted to undermine China by enforcing foreign policies in the country, which would contribute to the growing discontent among the citizens since their monarch was hopeless. After the naval expeditions of Zheng He (1371-1435) during the Ming dynasty, the Hongwu Emperor decided to ban all trade and from then onwards, China became increasingly isolationist. The Chinese feared that the result of foreign intervention would be an attempt to take over the country therefore, all the dynasties after that continued to adopt these policies in order to prevent invaders such as Japanese pirates. During the Qing dynasty, the Qianlong Emperor rejected an offer to expand trade because he feared that by trading with foreign countries, the imperialist nations would attempt to take over China by imposing their ideas on the Chinese. China’s desire to shut itself away from the foreign countries was because of its desire to protect itself. After the Industrial Revolution, the...
Words: 1309 - Pages: 6
...Introduction People have blamed corporate greed for many social and economic problems, such as the pollution of our resources, the unfair pay for the working class, major recessions, and many more. It seems that some people are unaware of how much influence corporations have when war is involved. Corporations have a heavy hand in war profiteering when it comes to oil, weapons, and even essential items such as water and food. There are many examples of corporate greed’s influence on war, although I had never heard of a war directly funded or coerced by corporations until I did some research on China’s Opium Wars. Britain and China’s First Encounter The relationship between the Chinese and the British has been unstable from the beginning. Their first encounter resulted in an immediate attack on each other on the high seas. Nevertheless, on August sixth of 1793 a fleet of ships came to shore carrying an important passenger, the British Ambassador, Lord Macartney. The objective was to open trade between Britain and China. Lord Macartney brought with him many gifts for Emperor Chi’ien Lung that had been selected to represent the best that Britain had to trade. Lord Macartney met with Emperor Ch’ien Lung in a large horsehair tent chosen by the Emperor to show he was meeting with simple barbarians rather than equals. Foreigners are required to wear Chinese clothing and practice the Kowtow. The Kowtow is a ritual of respect...
Words: 1901 - Pages: 8
...nineteenth century. China and India were two independent nations, so similar, but yet also so different. Their imperialists had motives over raw material, resources, and power. Their thoughts of imperialism were fixed more on controlling and taking, then making relations and building up the country. This inequality led for a struggle of freedom and independence. From the struggles, the culture and the people had been impacted greatly from the foreign influences. Industrialism was halted for India and thrived in China. From the coasts China to the riches of India, imperialism changed the countries vastly. Across India and China, imperialistic motives of the Europeans ranged from rare materials to the immense voltage of power, however how they forced upon these motives was different. These nations were both imperialized by great European powers. Furthermore, they both had Britain as a strong imperialist. In China, Britain wanted luxury goods, like silk and porcelain. Britain also looked at India for luxury goods. Gems, gold, indigo, and spices were just several of the lustful items. Different Europeans nations, ruled different parts of these nations. For India, Britain was the only critical imperialized. Unlike India, China had Britain, Germany, France, and Japan. Russia also had taken the chance to imperialize China at their weak point. After China’s Opium War in the 1800’s, western influence was crowded all around. Spheres of Influence began to form in China. India always had the...
Words: 1907 - Pages: 8
...from very lenient to very strict regulation within the last 100 years as a result of legislation. During the 18th century both Britain and the United States were involved in the very profitable business of trading opium; however, social reformers and many leaders disapproved of this across the world. In 1833 the first treaty on the trade of opium internationally was passed in the United States. Shortly thereafter more legislation was passed in 1842, which taxed crude imports of opium into the country. At this time the United States was outsourcing to China for labor in constructing railroads and they brought the habit of opium smoking with them. This habit...
Words: 1235 - Pages: 5
...The First Opium War marked a major transition in Chinese history as it brought the nation into a modern, Eurocentric interstate system and global economy. China would become exposed to Western imperialism, and such foreign aggression and encroachment epitomizes what the Chinese call the “Century of Humiliation” – the beginning of the period being attributed to this war. The question that is posed today is whether China could have avoided humiliation. I believe that the answer is no, and such an event was inevitable due to the irreconcilable cultural traditions of China and the West. Also see how tradition may have placed China at a disadvantage First, it is important to address the worldviews belonging to both China and the West. For China, their world was based upon the precepts of Confucianism, which preordained the natural order. Heaven was the source of all authority and men were subject to the will of heaven. The emperor received authority from heaven and has absolute power. The result is a natural hierarchic order that makes inequality a fundamental part of society, reflected by the kowtow (explain) which would be performed to one’s superiors. China applied these norms of internal society to the international, thereby claiming to be the central state and creating what is known as the Sino-centric international system, based upon the belief in their cultural superiority and claim to universal kingship. THose beyond its borders were looked down upon as barbarians. This...
Words: 1227 - Pages: 5
...China and Japan Essay As oriental countries, the West often perceives China and Japan as two countries with similar politics, economics, and social norms. What many Westerners may not realize, however, is that starting in the 19th century, Japan ended its traditional isolationist policies while China sought to become isolationist, and that this distinction strongly influenced both Japan and China's political, economic, and social responses to modernization and westernization. Politically, China and Japan's reaction to Western ideas dramatically differed. When President Fillmore sent Commodore Matthew C. Perry to Japan, the ho-shogun and his advisers first resisted the visit, but finally agreed to trade with the United States upon signing the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1858. (Cohen)As a result, Western diplomats soon inundated the Land of the Rising Sun in order to persuade the nation politically, but more importantly to them, economically. The political-diplomatic, cultural-intellectual, and socio-economic relation that followed was christened the Meiji Restoration. In general, the Japanese gradually became very receptive to the concepts of democracy, liberalism, and laissez-faire, but Meiji leaders planned to remain free of Western imperialism by negotiating with Western diplomats. They did not abandon their isolationist policies of over 200 years under the Tokugawa Shogunate only to be absorbed as a European colony; instead, they wanted to learn Western military and industrialization...
Words: 804 - Pages: 4
...fall of the Qing dynasty 1911-12? This essay will be looking at how much of a contribution the spread of revolutionary beliefs in China had in the fall of the Qing Dynasty. In order to determine the importance of this I will therefore also be looking at other factors such as, foreign interference, double tenth and the inability to change. I believe it is partially accurate to say that the spread of revolutionary beliefs was important in the downfall of the Qing Dynasty; however it wasn’t necessarily the most important factor. This can be determined from the effects of Sun Yatsen’s anti-government movement in China. Initially, the extreme need for revolution and reform stemmed from Cixi’s need and desire for conservatism. Her oblivious attitude towards the failure of the government angered many people and essentially gave reformers the ammunition to spread their own beliefs. As previously mentioned, Sun Yatsen was one of the people who felt strongly about changing the way things worked in China. He was particularly open minded and due to his education abroad had adopted a Westernized style of thinking. Thus, Yatsen attempted to modernise and regenerate China by removing foreign control and reasserting their unique character and greatness by forming the revolutionary alliance in 1905. Within this, his greatest belief was that the only way in which China would be able to modernise was if they became a republic, so his party formalised this concept as the “Three Principles of the People”...
Words: 1312 - Pages: 6
...The Western Exploitation of Japan, China, and India History is filled with stories of one culture influencing and exploiting other cultures. Perhaps the greatest example of this is the Western exploitation of Asia. Throughout the nineteenth century various Western powers used their might to exploit the country of Japan. Japan however was not alone in this unfair treatment; China and India were also subject to Western influence. However, the way these influences took place differed in a variety of manners. While Japan and China underwent similar events, with a forced end to isolation and unequal treaties, India was completely taken over by foreign powers. Japan was ever wary of foreign influences to its culture; since the beginning of the seventeenth century the Tokugawa Shogunate had enforced a strict isolationist policy. By the mid-ninteenth century Japan had become too valuable of an economic foothold for the West to leave be. In 1853, President Millard Fillmore sent Commodore Matthew Perry to end Japanese isolationism. When the Japanese government saw the smog-belching, technologically superior, battleships pull into the Tokyo harbor they knew they had no choice but to give into any demands the Americans made. This led to the first of many unequal treaties, the Treaty of Friendship, which opened up several ports to American trade and established an American consulate. The first consul, Townsend Harris, forced even further concessions with the Harris Treaty in 1854. This...
Words: 734 - Pages: 3
...Gutenberg’s printing press and its impact Adam Smith’s Laissez-faire (supply and demand free market) John Locke The Seven Years’ War impact in America and France The Congress of Vienna Napoleon’s impact on Latin America Revolutions Napoleon Bonaparte Revolutions in Haiti, Mexico, and Gran Columbia The impact of educated creoles in Latin American Revolutions The French Revolution Changes in government from feudalism up to republics Human migration patters during the Industrial Revolution The cause of the Industrial Revolution in England The impact of the second agricultural revolution Problems with industrialization in cities/slums Workers wages at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution Positive long terms impacts of the Industrial Revolution The goals of socialism & communism Russia’s lack of industrial revolution Russian tsars response to reform The Crimean War The impact of European Imperialism in Africa and Asia Social Darwinism Christian Missionaries during Imperialism The Mahdi and his resistance to European influence in Sudan The Ottoman empires factors of decline Young Turks and Muhammad Ali’s western inspired reform goals The importance of the Suez Canal The British East India Company success in India The Sepoy Mutiny The Opium Wars in China The Taiping Rebellion in China The Boxer Rebellion in China Matthew Perry’s impact in Japan Japans response to westernization and industrialization The Meiji Restoration impact on the Shogun...
Words: 253 - Pages: 2
...Revolution take home essay The Opium War The Opium War lasted from the late 1830’s until 1860, encompassing a series of conflicts between China and the British Empire over trade and diplomacy. Basically what happened was China traded a lot of goods including tea, and in return China gained opium that the British Empire imported from India. However, when China realized that opium was ruining their nation through mass addiction, China outlawed opium. This lead to war with The British Empire, because the British didn’t want to be pushed out of this important trade that they had with China. The British ultimately won because they had a navy and China did not. Through these naval conquests the British acquired the small fisher island of Hong Kong and made it into a large trade port under British rule. Somewhat were some of the deeper issues of these wars and why were they unavoidable? Who stood to benefit most in this lopsided war and why didn’t the Chinese win? From the beginning, the ruling Tang dynasty opposed the importation of opium into its territory and actively discouraged its use by placing a stigma of immorality on those who used the drug. However, the British importers saw opium, as merely a product for which there was a strong demand for in China. Opium did not have anything to do with morality or lack thereof in the British mind. These two divergent viewpoints eventually came...
Words: 531 - Pages: 3
