The Opium Wars

‍‍The Opium Wars, also known as the First and Second China Wars, were a series of conflicts between the British Empire and the Chinese Qing Dynasty during the 19th century. These wars were primarily triggered by trade disputes, as British merchants sought to smuggle Indian opium into China despite its illegality. The resulting conflicts opened the Chinese market to foreign trade and significantly changed Chinese society and politics. 

Background: The roots of the Opium Wars

The roots of the Opium Wars can be traced back to the trade relationship between Britain and China in the early 19th century. At this time, the Chinese economy was largely self-sufficient, and the Chinese government allowed only limited foreign trade through the port of Canton (now Guangzhou). British merchants were eager to trade with China, seeking to profit from selling Chinese goods such as tea, silk, and porcelain. However, the Chinese were not interested in purchasing British products and demanded payment in silver for their goods. This led to an unfavourable balance of trade for Britain, as large amounts of silver were being exported to China.

The role of the East India Company and the opium trade

To address this trade imbalance, the British East India Company and other British merchants smuggled Indian opium into China illegally. Opium, valued for its medicinal properties and ability to relieve pain, induce sleep, and reduce stress, quickly became popular in China. By 1839, opium sales to China were so lucrative that they paid for the entire British tea trade. This created a new challenge for the Chinese government, as the widespread opium addiction was causing social and economic problems, and the illegal imports were eroding China’s favourable balance of trade.

Chinese Resistance and the Start of the First Opium War

The Chinese government attempted to end the opium trade by enforcing strict regulations and penalties for those involved in the smuggling. 

Lin Zexu, a leading scholar and official of the Qing Dynasty, played a central role in the events leading up to the First Opium War. As a proponent of revitalising traditional Chinese thought and institutions, Lin was a key figure in the movement that would later become known as the Self-Strengthening Movement.

Lin Zexu was appointed Imperial Commissioner in 1838, responsible for suppressing the opium trade in China. Under his direction, Chinese authorities confiscated large quantities of opium from foreign merchants and destroyed the contraband. 

In May 1839, the Chinese authorities forced the British Chief Superintendent of Trade in China, Charles Elliott, to surrender the stocks of opium at Canton for destruction. This act outraged the British government and served as the catalyst for the First Opium War.

Diplomatic tensions and the desire to open China

Diplomatic relations between Britain and China were already strained due to the Chinese government’s reluctance to engage in full diplomatic relations with foreign nations. The Chinese were suspicious of foreign influence and maintained strict protocols for dealing with foreign officials, such as the requirement for foreigners to kowtow before the Emperor. The British, however, refused to adhere to these customs, further exacerbating tensions between the two nations.

Many British politicians and merchants viewed the opium trade dispute as an opportunity to open up China to foreign trade and influence. This desire to expand British commercial interests in China would play a significant role in the events of the Opium Wars.

The First Opium War: Key events and battles

The First Opium War began on 4 September 1839, following a series of skirmishes between British and Chinese forces. Throughout the conflict, British naval forces engaged in numerous battles with Chinese vessels and fortifications along the Canton River and the Chinese coast.

The taking of Chusan and the bombardment of Ting-hai

On 21 June 1840, a British naval force commanded by Commodore Sir Gordon Bremer arrived off the coast of Macao and proceeded to the island of Chusan. The British forces bombarded the port of Ting-hai on 5 July before occupying the island with troops under the command of Brigadier-General George Burrell.

The capture of the Bogue Forts and the Treaty of Chuenpi

In January 1841, British forces led by Major J.L. Pratt captured the Bogue forts of Chuenpi and Tycocktow, which guarded the mouth of the Pearl River. Following the capture of these forts, the Chinese Admiral Kuan Ti requested a truce and signed the Treaty of Chuenpi on 18 January 1841. This treaty ceded the island of Hong Kong to Britain, but the Chinese government continued to resist British demands for further concessions.

The capture of Canton and the Treaty of Nanking

In May 1841, British forces, under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough, captured the city of Canton. The British then withdrew from the city on the condition that the Chinese would pay reparations of £60,000. However, negotiations between the two nations remained contentious as the British sought additional concessions, such as opening more ports to international trade and establishing diplomatic relations.

After further military engagements along the Chinese coast, the First Opium War ended with the signing of the Treaty of Nanking on 17 August 1842. This treaty committed the Chinese government to free trade, including the trade in opium and opened the Treaty Ports of Guangzhou, Amoy, Foochow, Shanghai, and Ningpo to all traders. The Chinese also agreed to pay reparations to the British government.

The impact of the First Opium War on China

The First Opium War profoundly impacted China, marking the beginning of the country’s exposure to foreign trade and influence. The ease with which the British had defeated the Chinese forces severely damaged the prestige of the Qing Dynasty, contributing to the rise of internal rebellions, such as the Taiping Rebellion (1850-64).

Furthermore, the opening of Chinese ports to foreign trade led to an influx of Western goods and ideas, which had a significant impact on Chinese society and culture. The Opium War also paved the way for other foreign powers to establish their own spheres of influence in China, further undermining the authority of the Qing Dynasty.

The Second Opium War

The Second Opium War (1856-60) was another conflict between Britain and China, once again centred on the opium trade and the broader issue of foreign influence in China. This conflict was sparked by the Chinese seizure of the British ship Arrow, which led to a series of military engagements between the two nations.

The Capture of Canton and the Treaty of Tientsin

In 1857, British and French forces captured the city of Canton and proceeded to negotiate the Treaty of Tientsin with the Chinese government. This treaty further opened China to foreign trade, established new Treaty Ports, and allowed foreign diplomats to reside in Beijing. However, the Chinese government remained resistant to foreign influence and continued to clash with foreign forces.

The Sacking of the Summer Palace and the Convention of Peking

In 1860, Anglo-French forces launched a final military campaign against the Chinese, culminating in the sacking of the Summer Palace in Beijing. In the aftermath of this event, the Chinese government signed the Convention of Peking, which ceded additional territories to the British, established new Treaty Ports, and reaffirmed the principles of free trade and diplomatic relations established in the Treaty of Tientsin.

The Legacy of the Opium Wars

The Opium Wars had far-reaching consequences for both Britain and China. For the British, these conflicts marked the expansion of their commercial and political influence in Asia and the assertion of their global power. For China, the Opium Wars signalled the decline of the once-mighty Qing Dynasty and the beginning of a tumultuous period of internal strife and foreign intervention.

The Opium Wars also highlighted the tensions between global free trade and national sovereignty, as well as the challenges faced by traditional societies in adapting to the demands of modernisation and globalisation. 

The legacy of the Opium Wars continues to shape contemporary debates about trade, diplomacy, and the role of the state in the global economy.