Opium War

Opium War

Until the late eighteenth century, Europeans were only allowed to negotiate with China through the port of Canton. The Chinese, who considered their country self-sufficient, they showed little interest in foreign goods, in exchange for its exports of porcelain, silk and tea. Moreover, the trade could not be done directly with the Chinese population. Should be mediated by special officials, which set quotas and prices of goods.

To increase its trade with the Chinese, the British started to sell them opium, adrug extremely unhealthy and it causes addiction. As the expanded opium addiction among the Chinese drug imports increased, and its ill effects became increasingly devastating among the population.

The Chinese government then sent a letter to Queen Victoria of England, noting that opium was banned in British territory: ¨If it is acknowledged to be so harmful, how could seek profits by exposing others to their evil power ¨.

But the English did not stop the drug trafficking that was cultivated in India. In 1839, Chinese officials ordered them destroyed a shipment of opium in Guangzhou City. The Brits, considering the act an affront to their interests, they began what became the Opium War (1840-1842).