Two opium wars in the mid-19th century—primarily the First Opium War (1839–1842)—tested Qing China's power and sovereignty. The crisis began when British traders pressed for open trade after selling opium to China, fueling addiction and draining silver. Chinese officials seized opium and blockaded traders, prompting a brutal conflict with modernized British forces. China faced superior weaponry, steamships, and artillery, while domestic turmoil worsened as bureaucrats and merchants blamed foreig