7. How did British trade with China trigger the Opium Wars?

At the end of the 1830's the English had a negative trade balance with China. Negotiations were held but, by the end of the decade it was clear that China would not change their stance and the British were running out of silver. A decision was made to smuggle opium into China and sell it to try and recover some of the trade imbalance.

This worked well until the Emperor noticed the drain on his silver stockpile at which time he declared smoking opium a capitol crime and surrounded the trade enclave and threatened further action unless the foreign opium was sent out and destroyed.

The British, arguably the superpower of that time, sent their Expeditionary force from India and forced terms upon China.