What was the international environment like at the time of the Opium Wars?
The Opium War was an unjust war waged by Britain against China, which changed the course of Chinese and British history and was the beginning of modern Chinese history. So, what was the international environment like at the time of the Opium War?
First of all, we need to understand the world pattern during the Opium Wars. In the early 19th century, the Western powers began to enter the stage of the industrial revolution, and countries such as Britain, France, Germany, and the United States gradually rose to become world powers. While pursuing their own interests, these countries also expanded their colonies and semi-colonies. As a huge empire, China has naturally become one of the targets of the Western powers.
Second, we need to understand Sino-British relations during the Opium Wars. In the early 19th century, although China and Britain had ** exchanges, they did not establish formal diplomatic relations. The British sold opium to China and became one of the main contents of the Sino-British **. However, due to the ban on opium in China, British merchants began to wage war against China in an attempt to open the Chinese market by force.
Before the outbreak of the Opium War, Britain had already carried out many aggressions and provocations against China. In 1839, the British Commercial Director in China, Illustri, launched an attack in Canton, destroying Chinese forts and capturing Chinese **. This incident became the trigger for the Opium War.
Finally, we need to understand the military situation during the Opium Wars. During the Opium War, the British used a large number of ** and soldiers to carry out a fierce attack on China. The Chinese, on the other hand, relied mainly on traditional military means to resist. Due to the corruption and incompetence of the Qing Dynasty at that time, the backward equipment of the army, and the improper strategic command, China suffered heavy losses in the war.
To sum up, the international environment at the time of the Opium War was a period of rise and expansion of colonies and semi-colonies by the Western powers, as well as a period of tension between China and Britain. During the war, Britain used a large amount of military force, while China relied mainly on traditional military means to resist. Due to the corruption and incompetence of the Qing Dynasty, China suffered heavy losses in the war.
We must not forget history, we must always bear in mind that development is the last word, and if we want not to be beaten, we must have a strong military force, and our generation must be self-reliant.