dec 6, 1842 - Opium War (1839-1842) Outraged by the Chinese action against opium, British commercial agents pressed their government into a military retaliation designed to reopen the opium trade. The ensuing conflict, known as the Opium War, made plain the military power differential between Europe and China.
Added to timeline:
Date:
dec 6, 1842
Now
~ 182 years ago