For centuries, poppy flowers have been associated with the exotic and fairy-tale…but their history is far darker. Poppy flowers were a driving force behind two of the largest wars to ever affect China – The Opium Wars, also known as the Anglo-Chinese Wars of 1839–1842 and 1856–1860.
What were the Opium Wars and when did they occur?
The Opium Wars were a two-part conflict that occurred in the 1830s and 1840s between the British Empire and the Qing dynasty of China. This dispute was sparked by the Chinese government’s attempts to limit Britain’s ability to export opium, which was popular among its citizens.
Britain had not only been bringing in massive amounts of opium, but it was also selling it at extremely low prices and effectively flooding their country with the drug. In response to this overbearing presence, the Chinese attempted to end Britain’s involvement in their economy. This move led to hostilities between both nations, resulting in civil unrest and ultimately two wars between 1839-1842 and 1856-1860.
The latter ended with a treaty granting Britain major favors, including an indemnity of 21 million dollars from China as well as a handful of crucial trading ports for foreign trade. Despite all that was lost, these wars ultimately mark a pivotal step in modernization for China.
What was the role of poppy flowers in the Opium Wars?
The Opium Wars of the 19th century was a long-winded conflict between China and Great Britain over a pretty unlikely subject: opium. The use of poppy flowers as a narcotic had become popular in China in the late 1700s, ran counter to Chinese laws and customs, and threatened the Chinese economy.
This caused China to be resistant to large amounts of British imports, leading Britain to force their opium trade on China until 1842 when both sides agreed upon the Treaty of Nanking.
Interestingly, this war was largely fueled by the poppy flower – an object that is beautiful yet deadly. While it might seem odd today that a war such as this could occur over something like poppies, it serves as an important reminder of just how incredibly powerful and influential they can be.
How was opium extracted from poppy flowers?
To extract opium from poppy flowers, the petals of the flowers must first be removed and discarded. Then, the moisture content of the flower’s capsule is increased through a process called scarification.
Once sufficiently moistened, a poppy farmer applies pressure to the capsule to create a milky-white substance that contains large quantities of morphine or codeine.
This highly influential drug is then collected, sometimes with an implement such as a scraper, which can then be further processed into heroin or other derivatives. It’s no wonder opium had been used since ancient times; even thousands of years ago, proficient farmers knew how to extract this powerful narcotic.
What were the consequences of the Opium Wars?
The Opium Wars were a series of military conflicts in the mid-19th century between China and the British Empire, dubbed by some historians as the “first opium war”.
Britain’s export of opium to China resulted in a huge economic and social catastrophe for China, with devastating impacts still felt today. Tens of thousands of people died due to various causes related to the wars, including disease and starvation, while widespread corruption among government officials only added to the pre-existing Chinese economic woes.
Chinese humiliation from the Opium Wars led to animosity towards foreign nations that lasted for decades and transformed imperial policies internally. Furthermore, egregious taxes were imposed on goods entering China by foreign traders; these laws led to a decline in foreign trade activity and funded compensations British merchants demanded in reparation payments.
All of this combined would eventually result in a weakened Qing dynasty that was powerless against imperialist forces wanting further access to Chinese markets.
How did the use of opium affect China?
Opium was introduced to China in the 1700s, and it had devastating effects. The influx of opium from British traders crossed a cultural and economic threshold that drastically altered the social fabric of China.
Despite a ban on the substance in 1799, high demand for it remained and millions of Chinese people became addicted to it. Opium significantly damaged public health, increased crime rates, eroded relationships between families and communities, and caused a dramatic drop in governmental revenue as well as widening the already huge gap between wealthy merchants and poor tradesmen. As an addictive substance with serious economic implications, opium proved to be an incredibly destructive force in China’s history.
What was the impact of opium on colonialism?
The opium trade was an integral part of colonial economics for hundreds of years, and it had a drastic effect on the people and governments involved. British trading companies relied heavily on the drug, which caused large-scale suffering in India and China, where it was mainly produced.
This led to unequal power relations between countries and economic exploitation by imperial powers. Its use also disturbed cultural practices leading to widespread anger between colonists and natives. As a result of this, there were serious regional conflicts that lasted for decades.
Opium’s lasting impact could be seen in economies such as India which have yet to fully recover from its displacement of labor-intensive crafts, or the social problems stemming from addiction that continue to plague many regions today.
Conclusion
The Opium Wars have had a significant and lasting impact on the world we live in today. Not only did they significantly shape worldwide colonial tendencies, but they also impacted the cultural significance of poppy flowers. Poppy flowers, which were once revered for their beauty and ethereal nature, now carry the weight of that history, taking away from their splendor. However, despite all this, poppy flowers remain among us; a reminder that within darkness and sadness can also come beauty and hope.
