✦ History

Opium Wars

September 4, 1839 – October 24, 1860

Britain, later joined by France, fought two wars against Qing China over the opium trade and access to Chinese markets. China lost both wars and had to sign unequal treaties that opened ports and ceded Hong Kong.

View war on globe Full event page

Battles 2

September 4, 1839 – August 29, 1842
First Opium War Canton (Guangzhou) Queen Victoria, Daoguang Emperor, William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
October 8, 1856 – October 24, 1860
Second Opium War Canton (Guangzhou) Queen Victoria, Xianfeng Emperor, Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby

Key commanders

United Kingdom 4

Queen Victoria belligerent leader William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne belligerent leader Robert Peel belligerent leader Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston belligerent leader

Qing China 6

Daoguang Emperor belligerent leader Qishan belligerent leader Lin Tse-hsu belligerent leader Xianfeng Emperor belligerent leader Sengge Rinchen belligerent leader Prince Gong belligerent leader

United Kingdom and France 6

Queen Victoria belligerent leader Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby belligerent leader Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston belligerent leader Napoleon III belligerent leader James Hope Grant belligerent leader Charles Cousin-Montauban belligerent leader