➡️This episode on the history of China is looking at the international trade disaster that led to the first Opium War. The Opium wars humiliated an empire that still holds wounds grievances for China today. How the exchange of tea, opium and silver led Great Britain and the Qing Dynasty to war. This episode will explain the rigid Canton tributary system, the economic trade network of the 19th century, how the Qing Dynasty operated, how the industrial revolution impacted trade, the actions of key individuals from both nations, a clash of cultures and how two empires became addicted and corrupted by each other.

➡️ This episode will explain the rigid Canton tributary system, the economic trade network of the 19th century, how the Qing Dynasty operated, how the industrial revolution impacted trade, the actions of key individuals from both nations, a clash of cultures and how two empires became addicted and corrupted by each other.

➡️ The first Opium war was a devastating west meets east story that holds grievances that are still significant today.

➡️Reflecting on the history of China, we’ll be taking a look back at the first opium war of 1839-1842. By the early 19th century over 90 percent of the Qing Dynasty court and many members of the army were opium addicts, whilst Britain was economically and literally addicted to tea. 🌱 When China tried to ban the use of opium and stop Western smugglers from bringing it through its gates, England decided to fight to keep open China's ports for its importation causing the first opium war of 1839-1842.

➡️ Britain was economically and literally addicted-to tea, primarily grown in China, and ended up paying for it with profits made from the illicit opium trade. When China tried to ban the use of opium and stop Western smugglers from bringing it through its gates, England decided to fight to keep open China's ports for its importation.

➡️ The Second Opium War of 1856-1860 occurred for a large part because of the unequal treaty of Nanking that was signed after the first opium war of 1839-1842. The Qing Emperor, Xianfeng had to deal with the British Empire, France and the Taiping Rebellion being led by Hong Xiuquan.

➡️The end result was the Qing dynasty losing the war and the great tragedy that was the burning of the old summer palace. As one of the contributing factors of the Pacific War, we’ll be exploring how the Second Opium war contributed towards the beginning of some of the biggest history of China.