What was the cause of the armed conflict between Great Britain and China in 1840 that was focused around the port of Canton? Chinese peasants massacred Western missionaries, journalists, and diplomats. Great Britain attempted to make all of China a British colony.

The Empress Dowager began the One Hundred Days of Reform.

Great Britain refused to stop selling opium in China.

Question

Joe King

History

2 May, 00:43

What was the cause of the armed conflict between Great Britain and China in 1840 that was focused around the port of Canton? Chinese peasants massacred Western missionaries, journalists, and diplomats. Great Britain attempted to make all of China a British colony.

The Empress Dowager began the One Hundred Days of Reform.

Great Britain refused to stop selling opium in China.

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Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Will Moran · Answer 1

Great Britain refused to stop selling opium in China.

Explanation:

The opium wars were wars between China and the UK for free opium trade. it was one of the more immoral battles in world history. Britain started the war with that parole that she began to fight for her right to export opium.

The war was fought for a new market, for interest and for profit, just like any other, and not for idea, freedom and peace. Opium has been used in China since the Ming dynasty as drug and sedative.

With the coming of the Spaniards, its use became more and more accessible, and so the Chinese emperor passed a series of measures limiting the quantity and frequency of opium purchases and ultimately outlawing it. However, the situation is changing dramatically with the British annexation of Bengal, a major opium producer, and with the British monopoly on the opium trade.