The Opium Wars

1839-03-18

The Opium Wars were a series of conflicts that resulted in the forced opening of China to foreign trade.

Historical Figures

Queen Victoria

British Monarch

Queen Victoria was the reigning British monarch during the Opium Wars. Her government's involvement in the conflicts aimed to protect British interests in China and expand trade opportunities for the British Empire.

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Lin Zexu

Chinese Official

Lin Zexu was a Chinese official who played a key role in the events leading up to the First Opium War. He was tasked with combating the opium trade in China and his strong stance against it ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the conflict.

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Charles Elliot

British Diplomat

Charles Elliot was a British diplomat who served as the Chief Superintendent of British Trade in China during the lead-up to the First Opium War. His actions, including the seizure of opium stocks, contributed to the escalation of tensions between Britain and China.

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