The Opium Wars: a Collision of Commerce and Imperial Ambitions
Words: 404 1152The Opium Wars weren't just about drugs; they were massive showdowns pitting the growing British Empire against the fading Qing China. Often overlooked in Western classrooms, these conflicts were really about trade, pride, and who called the shots, leaving a lasting mark on world affairs. The story began innocently enough. In the early 1800s, the British were crazy about tea, silk, and porcelain from China, but they were drowning in debt. Silver poured out of Britain, leaving them desperate for […]