With the advent of the East India Company (EIC), Great Britain was able to import the luxurious and exotic items from China, including silk, porcelain, and tea. However, China only wanted silver in return for their products. They had no interest in British products because they could produce all their citizens wanted. With the constant drain of silver from the British coffers, they decided that they needed to offer something to balance their trade deficit.
When the Chinese continued to refuse the opium, Britain decided on war. The first war was from 1839 to 1842; the second was from 1856 to 1860. Before it was all over, the British were supported by the French, Americans, and Russians. They went to war with the Qing dynasty of China. Unfortunately, the Chinese had looked upon themselves as the apex of civilization and needed nothing from other nations. They preferred to isolate rather than learn from other countries.
This is a particularly shameful period in history when one sovereign country dumped harmful products on the citizens of another sovereign country for monetary benefit. It is no wonder that the Opium Wars are not lauded (or generally mentioned). Queen Victoria would not allow opium in her country but seemed to have no problem enslaving millions in another country (even though the Chinese emperor wanted no part of it for his citizens).
This book is an exceptionally clear explanation of the events before, during, and after each of the wars. It is a scandal that it took China 150 years to eradicate wide-spread opium addiction in their country (until 1960).
When the Chinese continued to refuse the opium, Britain decided on war. The first war was from 1839 to 1842; the second was from 1856 to 1860. Before it was all over, the British were supported by the French, Americans, and Russians. They went to war with the Qing dynasty of China. Unfortunately, the Chinese had looked upon themselves as the apex of civilization and needed nothing from other nations. They preferred to isolate rather than learn from other countries.
This is a particularly shameful period in history when one sovereign country dumped harmful products on the citizens of another sovereign country for monetary benefit. It is no wonder that the Opium Wars are not lauded (or generally mentioned). Queen Victoria would not allow opium in her country but seemed to have no problem enslaving millions in another country (even though the Chinese emperor wanted no part of it for his citizens).
This book is an exceptionally clear explanation of the events before, during, and after each of the wars. It is a scandal that it took China 150 years to eradicate wide-spread opium addiction in their country (until 1960).
