Opium War in China: An Analysis of Great Britain's Use of War as an Element ofPower

摘要

During the period 1839-1842, Britain and China were engaged in an armed conflictthat has become known as the Opium War. This war is historically significant as the signing of the Treaty of Nanking in 1842 opened China's doors to Western culture and trade. To most historians this signifies the opening chapter to China's modern history. However, there are divergent points of view over the cause of the war. Keywords: Opium War in China, Great Britain, Warfare, Elements of power, Government(Foreign), Political science, History, Free trade, Foreign policy, Drug trade. (jg)