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The Emperor appoints Lin Zexu to travel to Canton and completely stop the trade of Opium. -
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2.37 million pounds of Opium seized, Zexu ordered it to be destroyed in public on Humen Beach. -
British boats open fire on Chinese vessels, after an embargo on British food sales.
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After years of one-sided conflict, the Treaty of Nanking was forcibly signed, the first of many “Unequal Treaties.” Terms included:
6 Million silver dollars owed for the Opium confiscated by Lin Zexu
3 Million silver dollars in compensation for debts owed by the Chinese to British Merchants
22 Million silver dollars for war reparations
For every year China does not pay, 4% interest would be added.
China must release all British Prisoners of War
Cession of Hong Kong -
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Treaties of Whampoa and Wanghia, which served the same purpose as the Treaty of Nanking, but for France and the United States respectively.
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Jintian Uprising began, where Hong Xiuquan and his followers attempted a revolution. -
Plague pandemic began in Yunnan, killing hundreds of thousands in China
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A cargo ship, the Arrow, was captured on suspected piracy. Chinese marines took down the British flag flown on the ship. A British man on the ship reported the incident, and thus British soldiers attacked Canton. -
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France joins in the invasion of China, alongside Britain and the United States. -
Russia had also simultaneously invaded China, the Treaty of Aigun was a surrender of land to Russia.
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Yet another unequal treaty, once again involving Britain and Russia, but France decided to "get in on it," so to speak.
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War between China and France.
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The first of two wars between China and Japan.
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Chinese rebels, known as the Boxers, begun to fight against the government, believing the government was too complacent in regards to the increasing foreign influence in China. Eventually, however, the government itself had joined forces with the rebels in order to attempt to drive off foreign influence, which was met with 8 nations banding together to slaughter the Chinese people.
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It is not a treaty in name, but still is an Unequal Treaty, this time being imposed by Japan.
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Other countries were screwing China over too, but it was mostly Japan.
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The Treaty of Versailles gave some of the Chinese land previously owned by Germany to Japan instead. -
Japan proceeded to invade Manchuria in order to obtain materials for its growing industries.
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China had attempted to resist the growing influence of Japan on its territory, which Japan had interpreted as being a declaration of war. And thus, war happened.