ConflictEast Asia

The Opium Wars

Jul 2, 1839 – Oct 19, 1860

Britain goes to war for the right to sell narcotics

In depth

The wars opened what China today calls the "century of humiliation", a period central to modern Chinese self-understanding and foreign policy. The unequal treaties gave foreigners the right to stand outside Chinese law on Chinese soil. The Summer Palace was burned in 1860 as a punitive act, and objects taken from it are still disputed.

For children

Britain had a trade deficit with China and began selling opium from India to cover it. When China tried to stop it, Britain went to war — and won. China had to open ports and cede Hong Kong.

Connects to

The Qing dynastyJan 1, 1644 – Jan 1, 1912
The Macartney embassySep 13, 1793
The Taiping RebellionNov 25, 1850 – Jul 2, 1864
The British East India CompanyJan 1, 1600 – Jan 1, 1858

Part of Terra Saga — the story of Earth on a timeline. terrasaga.org