Treaty of Nanking
The Treaty of Nanking, signed in 1842, marked the end of the First Opium War between Britain and China. It was significant for establishing unequal terms favoring Britain. China had to cede Hong Kong to the British, pay reparations, and open several ports to British trade, allowing foreigners to live and trade there. This treaty symbolized the beginning of a series of agreements that weakened China's sovereignty and opened it up to foreign influence, contributing to a period of national humiliation for China. It highlighted the power dynamics and colonial expansion of Western nations in the 19th century.
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The Treaty of Nanking, signed in 1842, concluded the First Opium War between China and Britain. It marked a significant shift in China's relationship with Western powers. As a result, China ceded Hong Kong to Britain, opened five ports for trade, and paid a large indemnity. This treaty highlighted the pressures of foreign influence and trade imbalances on Qing China, contributing to growing resentment and internal strife. It is often seen as the beginning of the "unequal treaties," which undermined China's sovereignty and led to further foreign interventions in the years that followed.