Opium Wars

September 4, 1839 – October 24, 1860 · People's Republic of China

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.

On the map Overview Contemporaries

First Opium War

Qing Dynasty

United Kingdom

Company rule in India

France

Imperial China

Battles 2

First Opium War September 4, 1839 – August 29, 1842 · British victory
- Battle of Kowloon September 4, 1839 · Stalemate
- Battle of Chuenpi November 3, 1839 · British victory
- Capture of Chusan July 5–6, 1840 · British victory
- Convention of Chuenpi 1841
- Second Battle of Chuenpi January 7, 1841
- Battle of the Bogue February 23–26, 1841 · British victory
- Battle of Canton (March 1841) March 18, 1841 · British victory
- Battle of Canton (May 1841) May 21–30, 1841 · British victory
- Battle of Amoy August 26, 1841 · British victory
- Capture of Chusan (1841) September 29 – October 1, 1841 · British victory
- Battle of Chinhai October 10, 1841 · British victory
- Battle of Ningpo March 10, 1842 · British victory
- Battle of Tzeki March 15, 1842 · British victory
- Battle of Chapu May 18, 1842 · British victory
- Battle of Woosung June 16, 1842 · British victory
- Battle of Chinkiang July 21, 1842 · British victory
Second Opium War October 8, 1856 – October 24, 1860 · Allied victory
- Battle of the Barrier Forts November 16–24, 1856 · American victory
- Battle of Canton (1857) December 28–31, 1857 · Franco-British victory
- Battle of Taku Forts (1858) May 20, 1858 · Anglo-French victory
- Treaty of Tientsin June 1858
- Battle of Taku Forts (1859) June 24–26, 1859 · Qing victory
- Battle of Taku Forts (1860) August 12–21, 1860 · Franco-British victory
- Battle of Zhangjiawan September 18, 1860 · Franco-British victory
- Battle of Palikao September 21, 1860 · Franco-British victory