History The Opium Wars Questions
During the Opium Wars, there were several major diplomatic negotiations and treaties that took place. The key ones include:
1. Treaty of Nanjing (1842): This was the first unequal treaty signed between China and Britain after the First Opium War. It forced China to cede Hong Kong to Britain, open five treaty ports for trade, grant extraterritorial rights to British citizens, and pay a large indemnity.
2. Treaty of Tientsin (1856): This treaty was signed after the Second Opium War and expanded the terms of the Treaty of Nanjing. It opened more treaty ports, allowed foreign embassies in Beijing, legalized the opium trade, and granted additional rights to foreign powers.
3. Convention of Peking (1860): This treaty was a supplementary agreement to the Treaty of Tientsin. It ended the Second Opium War and further expanded foreign access to China. It included provisions such as the opening of more treaty ports, the legalization of Christianity, and the recognition of foreign legations in Beijing.
4. Treaty of Aigun (1858) and Treaty of Beijing (1860): These treaties were signed between Russia and China, following the Second Opium War. They settled border disputes and resulted in the transfer of significant territories from China to Russia, including the Amur River region.
These treaties and negotiations significantly impacted China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, leading to a period of foreign dominance and unequal treaties that lasted for several decades.