The Opium Wars were caused by Chinese attempts to prevent western traders bringing opium to China during the 19th century. Predominantly imported by the British and French, opium was socially and economically devastating for the Chinese. Around 25% of their male population was addicted to the drug by 1839.
China's weak military meant they were soundly defeated in both conflicts, and harsh treaties were imposed by the British and French. The First Opium War, for example, resulted in Hong Kong being ceded to Britain ‘in perpetuity'; the Second Opium War caused opium to be legalised in China.
Unlike Britain and France, Russia's involvement in the Opium Wars is often overlooked. However, their exploitation of China's weakness and their diplomatic skill earned them their largest port on the Pacific coast: Vladivostok.
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