What were the Opium Wars?

The Opium Wars were a series of skirmishes between China and several Western nations, most notably England. These wars are sometimes also referred to collectively as the Anglo-Chinese War. The end result of the Opium Wars was the forcible opening of China to trade, and the lasting humiliation of the Chinese government and Chinese people. Many students of Chinese history have suggested that the events of the Opium Wars smoldered in the Chinese consciousness for decades, laying the groundwork for the numerous violent rebellions of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  more