History The Opium Wars Questions
The causes of the First Opium War were primarily economic and political. The British wanted to expand their trade with China, particularly in opium, but the Chinese government opposed the opium trade due to its detrimental effects on society. Tensions escalated when the Chinese government confiscated and destroyed British opium shipments, leading to military conflicts between the two nations. Additionally, the British sought to establish more favorable trade conditions and gain access to Chinese markets, which further fueled the conflict.