Britain and China went to war because Britain wanted to keep using opium, a drug made from poppies, to help people relax and feel happy.
Imagine you have a favorite candy that makes you super excited, and your friend keeps giving it away to other kids. That’s kind of what happened with Britain and China.
How the Opium Trade Worked
Britain used to trade tea with China, which was super popular in Britain. But then they found out about opium, a drug that made people feel really good, like after eating the most delicious cake ever.
So Britain started sending opium from India to China. Chinese people liked it so much that they began buying lots of it and even used money meant for tea to buy opium instead.
Why Britain Went To War
China got worried because too many people were using opium, and it was costing them a lot of money. So China tried to stop the opium trade by stopping British ships from coming in, like closing the front door to a house when someone keeps sneaking in through the window.
Britain didn’t want to stop trading, so they went to war with China to keep using opium and keep getting their favorite tea! Britain and China went to war because Britain wanted to keep using opium, a drug made from poppies, to help people relax and feel happy.
Imagine you have a favorite candy that makes you super excited, and your friend keeps giving it away to other kids. That’s kind of what happened with Britain and China.
How the Opium Trade Worked
Britain used to trade tea with China, which was super popular in Britain. But then they found out about opium, a drug that made people feel really good, like after eating the most delicious cake ever.
So Britain started sending opium from India to China. Chinese people liked it so much that they began buying lots of it and even used money meant for tea to buy opium instead.
Examples
- China tries to stop the flow of drugs, leading to war.
- Britain wants to keep selling opium, so they go to war.
Ask a question
See also
- How did the Opium Wars Actually Happen? - All Parts?
- Why Britain is the Center of the World?
- What is Second Opium War?
- Why Does Britain Own Gibraltar?
- Why did canada not join the american Revolution?