Second Opium War (jan 2, 1856 – jul 22, 1860)
Description:
The Chinese were dealing with the Taiping rebellion and as such, the British soon found a way to reignite a war to claim more trading rights.
In early October 1856, Chinese officials boarded the British-registered boat 'Arrow', arrested the Chinese crew and then allegedly lowered the British flag... You can already see where this is going...
Later in October, a British warship sailed into China, up the Pearl River and bombed Canton, fights began and stalemates were made while trading was put on hold.
In December, Chinese in Canton burned down the foreign factories and trading warehouses, angering the British and causing tensions to go really high.
The French soon joined the war, under the excuse of a French missionary being murdered by Chinese folk in early 1856.
British and French forces, needless to say, decimated the Chinese forces despite the British needing time to get ready due to an Indian Uprising.
The attacking forces quickly captured Canton and disposed of the city's intransigent governor, installing a more compliant official, they later forced the Chinese into negotiations and made Opium legal again.
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Date:
