The Three Involved Nations

And the events leading to the onset of the war.

China

India

Britain

- Britain imported Tea from China, however China only accepted silver as payment for trade.

-The imbalance of exports and imports made it difficult for Britain to maintain trade with China.

-Britain begins smuggling opium from India into China for illegal trade.

-By 1836, the British were importing up to 30,000 opium chests into China from India.

-This caused a very damaging social impact. Members of all classes became addicted and desperate for the drug.