What: A war over trade, especially Britain selling opium

Where: Mainly in southern China, around Canton (Guangzhou)

When: 1839–1842

Why: China wanted to stop the harmful opium trade, but Britain refused

Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Opium-Wars

Video Box:
YouTube Video - Opium Wars Explained

Did you know that the British traded opium for tea? People in Britain were obsessed with Chinese tea, and that led to one of the most controversial trades in history!

What: A peace treaty that ended the First Opium War

Where: Signed in Nanjing, China

When: 1842

Why: China lost the war and had to agree to British terms, including opening ports and giving up Hong Kong

Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Treaty-of-Nanjing

Video Box:
YouTube Video - Treaty of Nanjing Summary

Did You Know Box:
The Treaty of Nanjing was the first of the "Unequal Treaties" — deals that greatly favored Western powers over China.

What: A massive civil war in China led by a man who believed he was the brother of Jesus

Where: Southern China

When: 1850–1864

Why: People were angry at the Qing government and poverty; they wanted social reforms and religious change

Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Taiping-Rebellion

Video Box:
YouTube - Taiping Rebellion Animated History

Did You Know Box:
The Taiping Rebellion caused more deaths than World War I — over 20 million people died!

What: A movement to modernize China’s military and industry using Western technology

Where: Mainly in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and coastal areas

When: 1861–1895

Why: After defeats in wars, Chinese leaders wanted to strengthen the country without completely adopting Western culture

Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Self-Strengthening-Movement

Video Box:
YouTube - The Self-Strengthening Movement

Did You Know Box:
Some Qing officials tried to build submarines during this time — even though they had no idea how they worked!

What: An anti-foreigner uprising

Where: Northern China, especially Beijing

When: 1899–1901

Why: The Boxers were angry about foreign influence and missionaries. They wanted to remove all foreigners from China.

Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Boxer-Rebellion

Video Box:
YouTube - Boxer Rebellion Summary

Did You Know Box:
Boxers believed they could become bulletproof through martial arts and rituals!

What: A policy that allowed all countries equal trade rights in China

Where: China’s port cities

When: 1899–1900

Why: The U.S. wanted to make sure it could still trade in China without being left out

Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Open-Door-policy

Video Box:
YouTube - Open Door Policy Explained

Did You Know Box:
The "Open Door" wasn't a real door — it was a metaphor for trade access!

What: The end of over 2,000 years of imperial rule in China

Where: Across China, especially in Wuchang

When: 1911

Why: People were fed up with the weak Qing Dynasty and wanted a modern, democratic China

Source: https://www.britannica.com/place/China/The-fall-of-the-Qing-dynasty

VIDEO BOX:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mnk-nME2LIw&ab_channel=ThePacificWarChannel

Did you know?
The Xinhai Revolution, which led to the fall of China's Qing Dynasty in 1911, was sparked by a bomb accidentally detonating during a revolutionary plot in Wuchang