The First Opium War, also known as the Anglo-Chinese War, was a series of military engagements fought between the British Empire and the Chinese Qing dynasty between 1839 and 1842. The immediate issue was the Chinese enforcement of their ban on the opium trade by seizing private opium stocks from mainly British merchants at Guangzhou (then named Canton) and threatening to impose the death penalty for future offenders. Despite the opium ban, the British government supported the merchants' demand for compensation for seized goods, and insisted on the principles of free trade and equal diplomatic recognition with China. Opium was Britain's single most profitable commodity trade of the 19th century.
China cedes Hong Kong Island to Britain during the First Opium War
The First Opium War, also known as the Anglo-Chinese War, was a series of military engagements fought between the British Empire and the Chinese Qing dynasty between 1839 and 1842.
Historical Significance
The First Opium War, also known as the Anglo-Chinese War, was a series of military engagements fought between the British Empire and the Chinese Qing dynasty between 1839 and 1842.
Events Before
First recorded bowling match in the US takes place at Knickerbocker Alleys, New York
First recorded bowling match in the US takes place at Knickerbocker Alleys, New York
American naval expedition under Charles Wilkes is first to identify Antarctica as a new continent
American naval expedition under Charles Wilkes is first to identify Antarctica as a new continent
French "The Three Musketeers" novelist Alexandre Dumas (37) weds French actress Ida Ferrier (29), until her death in 185
French "The Three Musketeers" novelist Alexandre Dumas (37) weds French actress Ida Ferrier (29), until her death in 1859
Treaty of Waitangi is signed between 40 Māori chiefs (later signed by 500) and representatives of the British crown in W
Treaty of Waitangi is signed between 40 Māori chiefs (later signed by 500) and representatives of the British crown in Waitangi, New Zealand and shares sovereignty between the two groups
British Queen Victoria (20) marries her cousin Albert (20) of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, later the Prince Consort at St Jame
British Queen Victoria (20) marries her cousin Albert (20) of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, later the Prince Consort at St James' Palace
Events After
New York Illustrated News, the first illustrated weekly magazine in the US, publishes its first issue in New York
The Illustrated London News, founded by Herbert Ingram and first published on Saturday 14 May 1842, was the world's first illustrated weekly news magazine.
10th US President John Tyler's daughter Elizabeth marries in the White House
10th US President John Tyler's daughter Elizabeth marries in the White House
Battle of Debre Tabor: Ras Ali Alula, Regent of the Emperor of Ethiopia, defeats warlord Wube Haile Maryam of Semien
Battle of Debre Tabor: Ras Ali Alula, Regent of the Emperor of Ethiopia, defeats warlord Wube Haile Maryam of Semien
Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Nabucco" premieres in Milan
Nabucco is an Italian-language opera in four acts composed in 1841 by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera.
Italian general Giuseppe Garibaldi (34) weds Ana Maria de Jesus Ribeiro (20) in Montevideo
Italian general Giuseppe Garibaldi (34) weds Ana Maria de Jesus Ribeiro (20) in Montevideo
More from the 1840s
Richard Wagner's opera "The Flying Dutchman" premieres in Dresden, Kingdom of Saxony
Richard Wagner's opera "The Flying Dutchman" premieres in Dresden, Kingdom of Saxony
Explorer and medical missionary David Livingstone (31) weds Mary Moffat
David Livingstone (19 March 1813 – 1 May 1873) was a Scottish doctor, Congregationalist, pioneer Christian missionary with the London Missionary Society, and an explorer in Africa.
First recorded bowling match in the US takes place at Knickerbocker Alleys, New York
First recorded bowling match in the US takes place at Knickerbocker Alleys, New York
New York Illustrated News, the first illustrated weekly magazine in the US, publishes its first issue in New York
The Illustrated London News, founded by Herbert Ingram and first published on Saturday 14 May 1842, was the world's first illustrated weekly news magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on January 20, 1841?
- The First Opium War, also known as the Anglo-Chinese War, was a series of military engagements fought between the British Empire and the Chinese Qing dynasty between 1839 and 1842. The immediate issue was the Chinese enforcement of their ban on the opium trade by seizing private opium stocks from mainly British merchants at Guangzhou (then named Canton) and threatening to impose the death penalty for future offenders. Despite the opium ban, the British government supported the merchants' demand for compensation for seized goods, and insisted on the principles of free trade and equal diplomatic recognition with China.
- Why is China cedes Hong Kong Island to Britain during the First Opium War significant?
- The First Opium War, also known as the Anglo-Chinese War, was a series of military engagements fought between the British Empire and the Chinese Qing dynasty between 1839 and 1842.