First Opium War

The First Opium War (1839-1842) was a conflict between Britain and China primarily over trade disputes. Britain wanted to sell opium, a highly addictive drug, in China, but the Chinese authorities sought to end the trade due to its damaging social effects. When China confiscated and destroyed opium supplies, Britain retaliated with military force. The war ended with the Treaty of Nanking, which ceded Hong Kong to Britain and opened several Chinese ports to British trade. This conflict marked the beginning of significant foreign influence in China and highlighted issues of sovereignty and trade imbalance.