The British opium trade in China started the world’s very first drug war in the 19th century.At first the Chinese did not want to trade with the British but eventually the British found out what the Chinese would trade them for that was Opium. Opium is a preparation made from the juice of poppy seedpods and used to produce heroin.The Opium War took place mostly at sea where the British had steampowered gunboats which made a bigger advantage over the Chinese's out-dated boats. The result of this war was that British won this war.After the Opium War the Chinese signed a peace treaty in 1842 which was called The Treaty of Nanjing. This treaty gave Britian the Island of Hong Kong.
Friday, December 14, 2007
The Opium Wars
The British opium trade in China started the world’s very first drug war in the 19th century.At first the Chinese did not want to trade with the British but eventually the British found out what the Chinese would trade them for that was Opium. Opium is a preparation made from the juice of poppy seedpods and used to produce heroin.The Opium War took place mostly at sea where the British had steampowered gunboats which made a bigger advantage over the Chinese's out-dated boats. The result of this war was that British won this war.After the Opium War the Chinese signed a peace treaty in 1842 which was called The Treaty of Nanjing. This treaty gave Britian the Island of Hong Kong.
