Opium War

The Opium Wars were conflicts in the mid-1800s between China and Britain. Britain wanted to expand trade, especially selling opium—an addictive drug—into China, which led to social and economic problems. China tried to stop the drug trade, but Britain refused, and tensions escalated. The first war (1839-1842) ended with China's defeat, forcing China to sign the Treaty of Nanjing, which ceded Hong Kong to Britain and opened several ports to foreign trade. The second war (1856-1860) further weakened China, leading to increased foreign influence and control over Chinese affairs.