The Opium Wars
First open conflict broke out in 1839
Manchu Govt. rejected British demands that China increase its purchases of
opium from British India
Long term causes
By 1830’s, Britain’s expansion as a major European free trade power
Led to exploration of China, both as market and source of materials
Made war highly likely – Britain’s economic ways, alien to Chinese
East India Company – control of opium trade in India and Burma and issued licenses to
merchants
Expanded rapidly by 1830’s
1776 – exported 1000 chests of opium to China
1800 – figure had risen to 4500 chests
By 1838 – figure stood at 40,000 chests
One chest contained an average of 122 pounds of opium (60kg)
Figured did not indicate growth in genuine Chinese demand. Was more a matter of the
licensed traders pressuring Chinese importers to take more
Nor were the traders above using illegal means and ignored attempts of Chinese authorities
to restrict the imports, did deals with corrupt officials and smugglers to ensure that intake of
opium was maintained
Money Britain received from opium trade – vital source of income – paid for increasing
imports of tea from China
Any serious disruption would affect Britain’s balance of payments
Imperial Chinas lack of modernity – made it suspicious of European expansion. Unready
economically and culturally to adapt to Britain’s demanding style
Britain’s awareness of Chinas relative military weakness, made it ready to push thing to the
point of conflict since it had every expectation of winning any war that might follow
Stronger nations or powers tend to dominate weaker ones and force them to conform to
their territorial or economic demands
Short term causes
Realisation by Chinese Govt that its purchases of opium were rapidly draining in the treasury
of its financial reserves
Added to the growing awareness in Govt. cercles of the disruptive impact of opium on
Chinese society
Drug produced lethargy and apathy in addicts and was destroying work habits, family
relations and social harmony
On economic and social grounds that the Quin Govt. decided to assert itself in 1839 by
ordering seizure of opium stocks in Canton, 90% of opium was distributed here
Difficultly was that the Quing already had in place decrees which prohibited the use of
opium, these had not been acted on consistently and a mistaken impression had developed
First open conflict broke out in 1839
Manchu Govt. rejected British demands that China increase its purchases of
opium from British India
Long term causes
By 1830’s, Britain’s expansion as a major European free trade power
Led to exploration of China, both as market and source of materials
Made war highly likely – Britain’s economic ways, alien to Chinese
East India Company – control of opium trade in India and Burma and issued licenses to
merchants
Expanded rapidly by 1830’s
1776 – exported 1000 chests of opium to China
1800 – figure had risen to 4500 chests
By 1838 – figure stood at 40,000 chests
One chest contained an average of 122 pounds of opium (60kg)
Figured did not indicate growth in genuine Chinese demand. Was more a matter of the
licensed traders pressuring Chinese importers to take more
Nor were the traders above using illegal means and ignored attempts of Chinese authorities
to restrict the imports, did deals with corrupt officials and smugglers to ensure that intake of
opium was maintained
Money Britain received from opium trade – vital source of income – paid for increasing
imports of tea from China
Any serious disruption would affect Britain’s balance of payments
Imperial Chinas lack of modernity – made it suspicious of European expansion. Unready
economically and culturally to adapt to Britain’s demanding style
Britain’s awareness of Chinas relative military weakness, made it ready to push thing to the
point of conflict since it had every expectation of winning any war that might follow
Stronger nations or powers tend to dominate weaker ones and force them to conform to
their territorial or economic demands
Short term causes
Realisation by Chinese Govt that its purchases of opium were rapidly draining in the treasury
of its financial reserves
Added to the growing awareness in Govt. cercles of the disruptive impact of opium on
Chinese society
Drug produced lethargy and apathy in addicts and was destroying work habits, family
relations and social harmony
On economic and social grounds that the Quin Govt. decided to assert itself in 1839 by
ordering seizure of opium stocks in Canton, 90% of opium was distributed here
Difficultly was that the Quing already had in place decrees which prohibited the use of
opium, these had not been acted on consistently and a mistaken impression had developed
