Who was involved?

The first war was between China and Britain. The victorious side of this war was the United Kingdom and the East India Company. Lord Palmerston, Charles Elliot, George Elliot, James Bremer, Hugh Gough, Henry Pottinger, and William Parker are important leaders of this side. The opposing side was the Qing Dynasty. BritDaoguang Emperor, Lin Zexu, Qishan, Guan Tianpei, Yishan, Yijing, and Yang Fangain and France were leaders of the opposing side. The second war was Britain and France against China.

Who was involved?

What happened in the opium wars?

1st- China tried to stop illegal opium trade because it began to make too much social and economic damage to China, by destroying 20,000 chests of opium. So drunk British sailors killed a Chinese villager. Peace negotiations proceeded quickly, benefiting the British.

2nd- The Qing government was trying to stop the Taiping Rebellion, while the British seeked to extend their trading rights in China. China officials arrested Chinese crew members, and they lowered the British flag from the ship. Later that month, a British warship sailed up to the Pearl River estuary and began bombarding Canton, and there were skirmishes between British and Chinese troops. More events led to the Beijing Convention, where the Chinese ceded to the Brititsh.

When?

1st- (1839-42)

2nd-(1856-60)

Where?

China's villages and borders.

Why is this an example of Imperialism?

The Opium Wars are a good example of Imperialism because slowly with the trade of opium which was addictive, Britain took over China's areas to import first illegally but then legally.