The rise of the modern age throughout the world allowed for mass change, progress, and empowerment. Free capitalism created opportunities for many, but also ruined the lives of many more. With the British Opium Trade, the conflicts surrounding World War 1, and then in Revolutionary China, race, rationality, and capitalism were the core principles that divided the groups involved, but also linked these historical events together. Throughout progress and history, these fundamental principles were tested and reshaped time and time again through conflict, resolution, and changes of power.
The British Opium trade in China was a trade monopoly of the East India Company. It exploited the Chinese people by addicting them to opium in order to expand British wealth. After Chinese resistance, it …show more content…
The constant loss placed a large burden on the people of China to make up for lost revenue with more taxes. The struggle that ensued for the Chinese people culminated into the voiced frustrations from the commissioner Lin Zexu. In a letter to Queen Victoria in 1839, Lin Zexu told the queen “I have heard that you strictly prohibit opium in your own country, indicating unmistakably that you know how harmful opium is.” The tone of the message sent to the queen was respectful, but serious. The queen had knowledge of the opium trade, but was not concerned with its effects, instead only concerned about profits. The free market in China symbolized the hypocrisy of westerners because the East India Company had a monopoly over the opium trade, and would punish others for selling opium. The East India Company was a large company that was given permission by the English to operate business originally in India, but capitalized on the opportunity to find riches in China as