1st China War

1st China War
1839-42
Chronological list of Wars and Campaigns
[[Image:\|250px\| ]]
Location: China
Combatants:
East India Company	China
Result: British victory
Medals: 1st China War Medal
Links:
Category: 1st China War

	See our interactive map of 1st China War 1839-42 locations and routes on Google Maps

Also known as the 1st Opium War and the 1st Anglo-Chinese War.

Summary

The lucrative trade between China and Britain in the 19th century comprised mainly tea and opium. Opium addiction became such a problem that the Qing Dynasty tried to prevent the import. They closed the waterway up to Canton and seized over 1 million kilograms of opium requiring merchants to enter into a bond not to deal in the drug. Captain Charles Elliot RN, Chief Superintendent of British Trade in China, tried to negotiate with the Chinese but was continually rebuffed. There were naval confrontations on the Pearl River and Britain sent an expeditionary force from Singapore. The Bogue Forts at the mouth of the river and subsequently Canton were captured. The Chinese were also defeated at the mouth of the Yangtse River and Shanghai was occupied. The war ended in August 1842 with the Treaty of Nanking which opened five treaty ports to trade, ceded Hong Kong and granted an indemnity to Britain.