Qing Dynasty

Also called the Qing Empire or Qing China, the Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China. It ruled from 1644-1912. As this empire was being established, China's economy was expanding. Chinese merchants were going out into the South China sea to trade and extending their businesses.

A Chinese merchant from the Qing Dynasty

Opium and the East India Company

Opium is a highly addictive drug with the scientific name Lachryma papaveris. It is the dried latex obtained from the opium poppy. It was used in limited quanitities until the 17th century when China was infuenced by tobacco smokign westeners. Opium is no longer used as a recreational drug, but  as a medical drug that is prescribed by doctors and relieves pain.

In the early 18th century, the Portugese started the opium trade to China, but by 1750 the British East India company took control over the Bengal and Bihar opium growing districts of India. These opium poppies could be grown cheaply and in plentiful quantities.

The East India company, also known as the British East India Company, was a British join stock company which traded with India and China, (Qing Dynasty). It was founded on December 31st, 1600 by John Watts.

Introduction

In the 18th and 19th century, Britain exported Indian grown opium, (a highly addictive drug) and sold it to China. Using profits made from selling opium Chinese addicts, they purchased luxury Chinese goods that had a great demand in Britain, such as tea, cotton, procelain and silk.