Britain’s Legacy: Opium Traders in China
‘Opium War & Opium Use in China’ [History Channel]
A documentary looking at Britain’s legacy as opium traders in China. This video provides an overview of how China was defeated by Britain in the Opium War (1839–42) after the Chinese leaders wanted to end the devastating trade. The signing of the Treaty of Nanking in 1842 marked China’s defeat (the Chinese called this an unequal treaty) and ceded control of five treaty ports [including Hong Kong Island]. The 1842 treaty also enabled Britain to continue selling opium in China.
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