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Trade expanded to export silk and porcelain
European traders allowed and Chinese merchants left for the first time -
China is largely self-sufficient
Healthy agricultural economy
Extensive mining and manufacturing industries (salt, tin, silver, iron, silks, high quality cottons, fine porcelain) -
Europe finally finds product that China is interested in
Already used in medicine but not drug
By 1835: about 12 million people addicted to the drug -
the Chinese government confiscated and destroyed more than 20,000 chests of opium
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British government decided in early 1840 to send an expeditionary force to China
British proceeded up Pearl River to Canton and after months of negotiations, attacked and occupied city
British captured Nanjing in late August which put an end to the battle -
China was required to pay Britain a large indemnity and increase the number of treaty ports where the British could trade and reside
New access to foreigners transformed Shanghai into one of the major commercial entrepôts -
Gave US and other foreign citizens extraterritorial rights
Not subject to Chinese law at 5 ports (including Guangzhou) -
Britain and France demand China to legalize opium
Invaded Guangzhou and Beijing
Treaty gave West more business power and control of ports
1856-1860 -
In 1899, Harmonious Fist (a secret society aka Boxers) slaughtered foreigners
Eight European countries sent troops
China lost, West imposed sanctions that permanently weakened Qing rule