How_britain_went_to_war_with_china_over_opium

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Britain had an insatiable demand for Chinese goods, particularly , silk , and porcelain [1, 4]. However, China operated under the "Canton System," which restricted trade to a single port and required payment in silver [3, 4]. This created a massive trade deficit for Britain, draining its silver reserves [1, 6]. The Solution: Opium

He seized and destroyed over (roughly 1,200 tons) [1, 5]. The Outbreak of War how_britain_went_to_war_with_china_over_opium

In 1839, the Daoguang Emperor appointed to end the opium trade [1, 5]. Lin took drastic measures: In the late 18th and early 19th centuries,

Silver began flowing out of China to pay for the drug, crippling the Chinese economy [2, 6]. The Breaking Point: Commissioner Lin Zexu and porcelain [1