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.
Second Opium War or Second Anglo-Chinese War begins with the Arrow Incident on the Pearl River
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
British preacher and Salvation Army founder William Booth (26) weds British Salvation Army co-founder Catherine Mumford
British preacher and Salvation Army founder William Booth (26) weds British Salvation Army co-founder Catherine Mumford (26) at Stockwell Green Congregational Church in Surrey, England
Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart (22) weds Flora Cooke in Fort Riley, Kansas
Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart (22) weds Flora Cooke in Fort Riley, Kansas
Scottish explorer David Livingstone becomes the first European to see Mosi-oa-Tunya waterfall, which he christens as Vic
Scottish explorer David Livingstone becomes the first European to see Mosi-oa-Tunya waterfall, which he christens as Victoria Falls, on the Zambezi River in Barotseland, Africa (now Zambia and Zimbabwe)
Clipper "Guiding Star" disappears in Atlantic, 480 dead
Clipper "Guiding Star" disappears in Atlantic, 480 dead
First bridge over the Mississippi River in what is now Minneapolis, Minnesota, opens; today known as the Father Louis He
First bridge over the Mississippi River in what is now Minneapolis, Minnesota, opens; today known as the Father Louis Hennepin Bridge
Events After
Tim Keefe is born
Tim Keefe, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1857-01-01.
Novelist Jules Verne (28) weds Honorine de Viane Morel
Novelist Jules Verne (28) weds Honorine de Viane Morel
National Association of Base Ball Players is founded in New York City
The National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP) was the first organization governing American baseball (spelled as two words in the 19th century). The first convention of 16 New York City area…
University of Calcutta is founded as the first full-fledged university in South Asia
University of Calcutta is founded as the first full-fledged university in South Asia
Second Opium War: France and the United Kingdom declare war on China
Second Opium War: France and the United Kingdom declare war on China
More from the 1850s
birth
Alice Mary Robertson is born
Alice Mary Robertson, American politician, known for american politician, was born on 1854-01-02.
birth
Tim Keefe is born
Tim Keefe, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1857-01-01.
City of Glasgow steamer inaugurates Philadelphia-Liverpool line
City of Glasgow steamer inaugurates Philadelphia-Liverpool line
National debt of Britain and Ireland is £765,126,582
National debt of Britain and Ireland is £765,126,582
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on October 8, 1856?
- 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 Second Opium War or Second Anglo-Chinese War begins with the Arrow Incident o... 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.