Drogen, Krieg und Diplomatie. Der Opiumkrieg 1839–1842 und seine Auswirkungen auf die Beziehungen zwischen Großbritannien und China

Abstract

Drugs, War, and Diplomacy. The Opium War 1839–1842 and its effects on Anglo-Chinese Relations

This paper examines the reasons for the outbreak of the so-called Opium War between Great Britain and China and its consequences. It will be shown that the incident indeed brought about significant changes for China’s view of and relations to Western powers. Considering short-term as well as long-term preconditions for the hostilities, Britain’s growing annoyance with Chinese trade restrictions considered outdated and China’s efforts to shut down the trafficking of opium emerge as the war’s major causes.