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In the early 19th century, trading in goods from China was extremely lucrative for Europeans. But trade to China suffered from the fact that China professed no interest in foreign products, such that it was difficult to find trading goods the Chinese might buy. Silver was one, to the extent that the drain on European specie metals was noticeably affecting the economy. In casting about for other possible commodities, the British soon discovered opium, and would use its narcotic effects for capitalistic gain. Between 1821 and 1837 imports of the drug increased five-fold.
The Chinese government attempted to end this trade, on public health grounds --numerous opium addicts were appearing in trading ports throughout China. The effort was initially successful, with the official in charge of the effort Lin Zexu, eventually forcing the British Chief Superintendent of Trade in China, Charles Elliott to hand over all remaining stocks of opium for destruction in May 1839.
However, the next month two British sailors murdered a Chinese man, and were arraigned under a British legalism called " extraterritorialityExtraterritoriality is the state of being exempt from the jurisdiction of local law, usually as the result of diplomatic negotiations. For instance, a citizen of country A may enjoy extraterritoriality while visiting country B. In that case, this person c." The sailors were brought to justice in a British court in Canton ( GuangzhouGuangzhou ( TC: ; SC: ; Hanyu Pinyin: Gungzhu; Wade-Giles: Kuang-chou; Tongyong Pinyin: Guangjhou) is the capital of the Guangdong Province in southern China. Its international name was formerly Canton after a French language corruption of "Guangdong".). The Chinese, however, demanded that the British hand the two men over to Chinese custody.
Refusing, the British were expelled from China. Preparing for war, they seized Hong KongThe Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or Hong Kong (, pinyin: Xinggng, WG: Hsiang-kang, Cantonese IPA, Jyutping or Penkyamp: hoeng1 gong2, meaning Fragrant Harbour , is one of two Special Administrative Regions (SARs) of the People's Republic of Chi (then a minor outpost) as a base. Fighting began in July, when the HMS Volage and HMS HyacinthHMS Hyacinth a ship of the Royal Navy, is named after Hyacinth. In 1839, fighting alongside HMS Volage it destroyed 29 Chinese ships near Hong Kong. This battle was the first of many decisive victories of the British over the Qing Dynasty's military in th defeated 29 Chinese ships. The next year, the British captured the Bogue forts which guarded the mouth of the Pearl RiverThe Pearl River ( Pinyin: Zhu Jing) is China's third largest river (2197 km, after Huang He and the Yangtze) located in the south, flowing into the South China Sea between Hong Kong and Macau. Its lower reach forms the Pearl River Delta. The Pearl is also --the waterway between Hong Kong and Guangzhou. By January 18411841 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). Events January 26 The United Kingdom occupies Hong Kong. Later during the year, the first census of the island recorded a population of about 7,500. February 18 The first ongoing f, their forces commanded the high ground around Guangzhou, then defeated the Chinese at the nearby city of Ningpo (modern-day NingboNingbo ( Traditional Chinese: , Simplified Chinese: , Hanyu Pinyin: Ningbo, Wade-Giles: Ning-po; literally "Tranquil Waves") is a seaport sub-provincial city in the Zhejiang province of China. It lies in the south of Hangzhou Bay and faces the East China) and the military post of ChinhaiOriginating from the English words, " chin", for the anterior region of the jaw, and " hay", the dry grass used to feed those of the equine genus, Chinhai is modern Chinese-American slang for hair growth on the anterior region of the jaw, particulary one.
By the middle of 1842, the British had defeated the Chinese at the mouth of their other great trading river, the Yangtze, and had occupied Shanghai. The war finally ended in August 1842, with the Treaty of Nanking. Gen. Sir Anthony Blaxland Stransham led the Royal Marines during the Opium War as a young officer, and as the 'Grand Old Man of the Army', was awarded two knighthoods by Queen Victoria.
The Treaty of Nanking committed the Chinese to free trade, including that of opium. Hong Kong island was ceded to the UK, and the Treaty Ports of Guangzhou, Amoy ( Xiamen), Foochow ( Fuzhou), Shanghai, and Ningpo were opened to all traders. Reparations were also paid by the Chinese.
The ease with which the British forces had defeated the Chinese armies seriously affected the Qing dynasty's prestige. This almost certainly contributed to the Taiping Rebellion ( 1850- 1862). For the victors, the Opium War paved the way for the opening up of the lucrative Chinese market and Chinese society for missionary purposes.