An overview of China's historical economic dominance and its subsequent decline, focusing on the Opium Wars.

How China's demand for silver in the 16th century, primarily for tax payments, made it a global economic powerhouse, trading its coveted silks and porcelain for the precious metal.

How Britain's insatiable demand for Chinese tea led to a trade imbalance, with silver flowing out of Britain and into China. To counteract this, Britain resorted to illegally importing opium into China, leading to widespread addiction and a reversal of the silver flow.

Culminates with the Opium Wars, highlighting Britain's technological and military superiority, which resulted in China's defeat and the imposition of the unequal Treaty of Nanking, marking the beginning of China's "Century of Humiliation."

#chinaopiumwar

#centuryofhumiliation

#chinaeconomy

#opiumwar