“Opium was transformed into an international commodity, just like tea and cotton” Opium Trade and Conflict

Background “a godsend and a demon” Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks used opium for medicinal purposes – painkiller 1500’s transition to recreational use in India and Persia (hookah, pipe) Dutch, Portuguese first to trade opium to China

Canton (Guangzhou) Trade TRIANGULAR TRADE MANUFACTURED GOODS OPIUM SILVER

Canton (Guanghou) Trade In China, part of the Tribute System - foreigners were restricted to one port - Hongs, or merchants, set all prices - 90% of Chinese in port cities addicted (men, ages 16-40) In India, British extend their empire - 1mi. farmers on ½ mi. acres in India owned by Britain - industrial production in “factories” - help pay for administering the British colony in India In Britain, East India Co. had a monopoly on all trade in Asia - favorable balance of trade for Britain - industrial raw materials, silver add to Britain’s wealth

CANTON

Chinese Reactions 1729 prohibit cultivation 1799 banned importation (leads to smuggling trade, price increases 6X) 1800 banned smoking, death to cultivators and importers 1839 Lin seized opium, burned British opium (“financial disaster”)

Treaties of Nanjing/Wanghea Unequal Treaties Hong Kong ceded to British 5 treaty ports opened to foreigners “most favored nation” status to foreigners Extraterritoriality (Western law used) No Chinese trade monopolies (free trade) China to pay Britain costs of war Diplomatic equality (parity)

Chinese Response 3 R’s Rebellion – Taiping, Boxer Reform – self-strengthening movement, 100 Days of Reform Retrenchment – Empress Zuxi, Marble Boat

Foreign Response Sino-Japanese War Russo - Japanese War Spheres of Influence