The+Opium+War

**//The Opium War //**
The First Opium War began in 1839 and lasted three years until 1842. There were many different causes and effects of the war and statistics in China that were caused by the opium drug. There were three phases of the war. The most important phase was when Britain first blockaded the coast of China, which was where most of the battling took place. They wanted to negotiate with China about opening trade and taking control of Hong Kong without any interference from other countries trying to aid China. The next phase for the British military was to surround Canton until the Chinese army left and they were given money. During this part of the war many Chinese citizens began to use propaganda to express their opinions about what was happening. The last phase started when Great Britain soldiers took control of Shanghai and cut off Chinese travel to Nanking, therefore threatening the capital city of China for communicating and trading with other cities in the country until an agreement was made. The defeat of China after the Opium War was the ending to China being an independent and self-sufficient country and the beginning of European imperialism into it.

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Hong Kong - an island located on the coast of China. Canton - a city in China. Shanghai - largest city in China.