Who were the major figures involved in the Opium Wars?

The major figures involved in the Opium Wars were:

1. Lin Zexu: He was a Chinese official who played a crucial role in the events leading up to the Opium Wars. Lin Zexu was appointed by the Qing government to suppress the opium trade and enforce anti-opium laws.

2. Charles Elliot: He was a British diplomat and the first Superintendent of British Trade in China. Elliot was responsible for negotiating with the Chinese authorities during the initial stages of the conflict.

3. Lord Palmerston: He was the British Foreign Secretary during the Opium Wars. Lord Palmerston supported the British government's aggressive stance towards China and was instrumental in initiating military action.

4. Captain Charles Elliot: He was a British naval officer and the cousin of Charles Elliot. Captain Elliot commanded the British naval forces during the First Opium War and played a significant role in the capture of various Chinese ports.

5. Commissioner Lin: He was a Chinese official who was appointed by the Qing government to negotiate with the British and enforce anti-opium laws. Commissioner Lin's actions, including the confiscation and destruction of opium, ultimately led to the outbreak of the First Opium War.

6. Hong Xiuquan: Although not directly involved in the Opium Wars, Hong Xiuquan was a significant figure during this period. He was the leader of the Taiping Rebellion, a massive uprising against the Qing dynasty that coincided with the Second Opium War and further weakened the Chinese government's ability to resist foreign powers.