The British had to find something that the Chinese wanted.
In the late 18th century the British stated importing opium from India.
By 1836 Britain was making 16 million dollars off the sale of opium to China.
Opium is highly addictive and by 1836 about 12 million people were addicted to the drug.
The drug caused moral and social problems in China.
The Chinese government tried to outlaw the sale of opium.
When Britain refused China seized the opium in Canton in 1839
The British became angry that the Chinese had taken their goods and both countries went to war
The wars lasted from 1839 to 1841.
The British won easily because of their military and naval power.
Britain forced China to harsh treaties.
The treaties were seen as the “unequal treaties”
The British were now given rights to trade anywhere in China
And the right to create more opium addicts