Treaty1842 CE – 1842 CEEast Asia

Treaty of Nanking

The first of the "unequal treaties" ending the First Opium War, forcing China to cede Hong Kong Island to Britain, open five treaty ports to foreign trade, and pay a large indemnity — beginning what Chinese historians call the "Century of Humiliation."

Key Figures
Emperor DaoguangHenry PottingerLin ZexuQi Ying

Preceding Causes

British military victory in the First Opium War (1839-1842), fought after China's Imperial Commissioner Lin Zexu confiscated and destroyed British opium stocks at Guangzhou, and Britain refused to halt the profitable trade.

War1839 CE

Opium Wars

Two wars (1839-1842 and 1856-1860) fought by Britain (and France in the second) against Qing China to force open Chinese markets and protect the profitable opium trade, resulting in "unequal treaties" and beginning China's "Century of Humiliation."

Cause-Effect Graph

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