2. The Opium Trade
The first opium war took place in
1839 and ended in 1842 the wars
came about because England bought
many trading goods such as tea and
silk from china but china had not
wished to trade with England in the
first place. England became worried
about the risk of a drop in trade so
they then began smuggling opium (a
smokable and consumable drug) into
china which caused an entire opium
related subculture to form in china.
3. The Opium War
The chinese government became
angry over the lack of trade and
the drain on their silver caused by
the drug and the emperor
demanded that all companies
British or Chinese burn their
stocks of opium. The british
government were angered by this
and sent expeditionary forces
from india to ravage the coast of
china, they then dictated the
terms of settlement for the treaty
of Nanking which opened the way
for a much bigger opium trade.
4. Opium In Medicine
During the 18th century opium was
used as a sedative and relaxants
especially in people who suffered from
nervous disorders, it was also used as a
treatment for people who were
considered insane. It's euphoric effects
were useful in treating patients who
suffered from depression. However
only later did they realise that after the
high had worn off depressed patients
became even more depressed and was
therefore not very effective. Despite
this fact opium was used for medicinal
purposes well into the 19th century
