What effect did the opium wars have on China?
The Opium Wars had several resounding effects on China. The first being the more obvious results of losing the war: a weakened military, weakened defenses (several were forced to be torn down after the treaty), opening up of more ports to British and others after the second Opium War (this affected the pouring in of opium as well as a greater influence of Westerners in China), a ridiculous indemnity both times, the sacking of the Summer Palace, and several others. Aside from the immediate effects of the treaties and war they were also wake-up calls to the Qing government who had refused to recognize the Westerners as more advanced, but had actually thought them as inferior. This began several movements of the Chinese people to modernize. Most of these were actually opposed by the government. So in short, it lead to the movements for modernization within China and the dissention of the people and the government.
