The Opium Wars in China



Abstract

This paper highlights the major reasons of opium wars in China. There were three major reasons discussed in details. One reason was Chinese misconception about superiority, second reason was the problems of trade between these countries, and third reason was illegal trade of opium and its prohibition. This study provides support from a number of different studies to prove that these three reasons provide grounds for these wars, although these were never accepted officially, due to illegal nature and complicated reasons for these wars. This study also discussed brief introduction and history of opium and its trade in China. This study also discuss problems related to the trade barriers and various other economic and trade conflicts between China and Britian that resulted in opium wars between these countries.

The Opium Wars in China

Introduction

During nineteenth century, Britain and Chine were among the most powerful states of the world. Industrialization has a major role in the empowerment of British economy and its interaction with other countries. On the other hand, China was very well developed in herbal and medicinal learning, but had isolated it from the world. China considered it as the best and most superior among other countries, “Before the Opium War, the Chinese people were indoctrinated from birth to believe they were superior to other nations and cultures” (Tong, 2011, p.105). Both these countries were progressing in trade and economy. China was very famous for its silk, tea, and various other products, but there were a number of controversies and problems faced by these countries as China considered Britain as inferior. Apart from a number of different trade products of China, one of the most controversial and illegal product was opium that resulted in the series of three wars between these countries.

Opium is the extract of poppy seed, poppy is an annual flowering plant cultivated in eastern and Mediterranean regions like Persia, Turkey, India and Egypt. The solution from the poppy seed provides raw opium or “latex” that contains “morphine, codeine, noscapine and other alkaloids with analgesic properties” (Miron & Feige, 2005, p.2). During fourth and seventh centuries, opium was first introduced to China by Arab traders and it was cultivated in Chinese region, later East India Company started trading of opium for the medicinal purposes (Miron & Feige, 2005, p.2). Later, opium was used for the smoking purpose and due to its negative and intoxicating effects, it was prohibited from sale for smoking, and its trade was considered as illegal.

Thesis Statement

There were three main reasons for the opium war between Britain and China, one reason was Chinese misconception about superiority, second reason was the problems of trade between these countries, and third reason was illegal trade of opium and its prohibition.

Discussion

Chinese Misconception about Superiority

One and the major reason for the opium wars was the misconception of China for its superiority. Chinese considered Britain as “barbarians” and uncivilized nation (Ansaldo, 2012, p.64). This was resulted as humiliation for the British people, China also ...