Unit: Imperialism Topic: Imperialism in China

What is opium?

Opium is a narcotic formed from the latex released by lacerating (or "scoring") the immature seed pods of opium poppies. Opium is a narcotic formed from the latex released by lacerating (or "scoring") the immature seed pods of opium poppies. It contains up to 12% morphine, which is processed chemically to produce heroin for the illegal drug trade. It contains up to 12% morphine, which is processed chemically to produce heroin for the illegal drug trade.

Other Chinese Imports Hardwood Hardwood Rubber Rubber Spices Spices Silk Silk Porcelain Porcelain

1. The Opium War A. British merchants began to export opium from China in the late 1700s. B. China tried to stop the trade of the addictive drug.

C. In 1839, to keep trade open, the British fought the Opium War with China, which Britain won.

2. The Treaty of Nanjing (1842) A. China had to pay for Britain’s war costs, open ports to British trade, and give Britain the island of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong was given back to China on July 1, 2007.

B. China was forced to grant British citizens extraterritoriality, the right to live under their own laws and be tried in their own courts.

A. Other Western countries carved out spheres of influence, areas in which an outside power claimed exclusive trade privileges. 3.

3. China Fights Back! A. From 1850 to 1864, Chinese peasants, angry at their poverty and corrupt officials, rose up in revolt. B. The Taiping Rebellion resulted in millions of Chinese deaths and weakened China.

C. In 1900, a group called the Boxers assaulted foreigners across China. D. This was known as the Boxer Rebellion, which Western armies quickly crushed.