Opium War Dbq

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Recommended: Analysis of the opium wars

The Opium Wars emerged from China’s attempts to suppress the opium trade, enforced by foreign imperialism. During the late 1700s, foreign merchants traded opium grown in India for Chinese tea, making big profits. China had accepted the trade for brief period until it became addictive and disruptive to the Chinese economy, to which the Chinese government outlawed opium and executed drug dealers. They demanded the trade to stop but by the right of free trade, refused to halt. Infuriated, Chinese warships were sent and clashed with the British fleet, triggering the Opium War. Due to advances in weaponry, the Chinese were easily defeated and forced to sign the Treaty of Nanjing, which stated that Britain will receive indemnities from China, the

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