In China, the treaty of Nanjing is called the first of the "unequal treaties." Is the term "unequal treaty" justified by the content and wording of the treaty?

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Davis Owen

History

21 August, 08:47

In China, the treaty of Nanjing is called the first of the "unequal treaties." Is the term "unequal treaty" justified by the content and wording of the treaty?

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Jamison Ferrell · Answer 1

The treaty of Nanjing was signed on 29 August 1842 and it ended the first opium war. China was extremely sure about them winning this war against the British and did not want to surrender. After the British won one battle after the other China had to sign a peace or face terrible consequences. This forced them to accept anything that the British wanted and had to pay huge war reparations, give some territories to the births, give a lot more power to the British merchants and so on. From this China gained nothing and was humiliated. This is why it is called an unequal treaty.