Opium War I (sep 4, 1839 – aug 29, 1842)

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The First Opium War was a series of military engagements fought between Britain and the Qing dynasty of China. The immediate issue was the Chinese official seizure of opium stocks at Canton to stop the banned opium trade and threatening the death penalty for future offenders. The British government insisted on the principles of free trade, equal diplomatic recognition among nations, and backed the merchants' demands. The British navy defeated the Chinese using technologically superior ships and weapons, and the British then imposed a treaty that granted the territory to Britain and opened trade with China.

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