geog prep

1. 5T CHINESE HISTORY

2. By Robert Musson 5T
Bibliography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Opium_War
THE OPIUM WARS 1839-1842

3. (THE FIRST OPIUM WAR)
•The first war between England and China, known
popularly as the Opium War, was fought between
the United Kingdom and the Qing dynasty of China
caused by conflicting viewpoints on diplomatic
relations, trade, and the administration of justice.
Qing Dynasty Flag
British troops in the Battle of Amoy, 1841

4. • The illegal selling of opium from
England(product from India) to China was
an important source of wealth as the drug
had caused wide spread addiction causing
social and economic disruption in the
country.

5. • . Chinese officials wished to control the
spread of opium and took many supplies of
opium from British traders. The British
government, although not officially denying
China's right to control imports and used its
military power to bully the Chinese to
submission. China was not prepared for the
war and greatly underestimated the enemy.

6. 1ST OPIUM WAR
BIBLIOGRAPHY: HTTP://WWW.WARTIMESINDEX.CO.UK/CHINESE-WARS
• The British led by Rear Admiral George Elliot with 16 manned
warships arrived at Hong Kong in June 1840 to force the Chinese
to accept the demands of re-instating opium imports and further
trading privileges. No agreement was reached, so Canton was
attacked in May 1841, which led to further peace negotiations.
Again these were unsuccessful and so war continued in August
1841 with the British forces campaigning northward capturing the
ports of Amoy (Xiamen), Ting-hai and Ning-po (Ningbo). By May
1842, after the winter lull in hostilities, the British force had sailed
up the Yangtze River seizing the important cities of Shanghai and
Wu-shung (Wuxi). Finally, on 29th August 1842, peace was
restored with the Chinese signing the Treaty of Nanking.

7. • In 1842, the Treaty of Nanking granted a sum of
money to Britain, the opening of five ports, thereby
ending the Canton System(where China could
control trade within its own country). The failure of
the treaty to satisfy British goals of improved trade
and diplomatic relations led to the Second Opium
War (1856–60). The war is now considered in China
as the beginning of modern Chinese history.

8. • Thanks for reading.