First Opium War

1839–1842

China's coast

British and Qing forces fought over trade, diplomacy and the opium economy, ending in a treaty that constrained Qing sovereignty.

Overview

British and Qing forces fought over trade, diplomacy and the opium economy, ending in a treaty that constrained Qing sovereignty. Its causes, participants and consequences connect this record to the wider Chinese History guide, where the event is placed in chronology rather than treated as an isolated date.