The Opium War in China from 1839-1842 marked the beginning of Western dominance over China. This war demonstrated that industrial powers like England could use their superior technology and economic strength to completely dominate even a great non-industrialized nation like China. The Opium War between the English and Chinese is often viewed as a prime example of 19th century European imperialism in action.
The Big PictureBy 1900, China was completelydominated by the industrial powers of Europe, the USA & Japan.How did this come to pass?As in Africa, India & Latin America, theindustrial nations had superiortechnology and more advancedEconomies.
Western dominance of China began with the Opium War of 1839-1842This war proved once and for all that industrial powers could completely dominate any non-industrial nation— even great nations such as ChinaThe Opium War, between the English & the Chinese, is often seen as the ultimate example of Imperialism