Treaty of Nanking

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== Treaty of Nanking ==

The Treaty of Nanking (also spelled Nanjing) was a peace treaty that ended the First Opium War (1839–1842) between the United Kingdom and the Qing dynasty of China. It was signed on 29 August 1842 aboard the British warship HMS Cornwallis in the Yangtze River near Nanking (now Nanjing).

Background

The First Opium War was primarily fought over trade imbalances and the illegal opium trade. The British sought to open Chinese markets to British goods, particularly opium, which was being exported from British India to China. The Qing government's efforts to suppress the opium trade led to conflict, culminating in the war.

Terms of the Treaty

The Treaty of Nanking consisted of several key provisions:

• **Cession of Hong Kong**: The island of Hong Kong was ceded to the British Crown "in perpetuity."
• **Indemnity**: China agreed to pay an indemnity of 21 million silver dollars to Britain.
• **Opening of Ports**: Five ports were opened to British trade and residence: Canton, Amoy, Foochow, Ningpo, and Shanghai.
• **Abolition of the Canton System**: The restrictive Canton System of trade was abolished.
• **Most-Favored-Nation Status**: Britain was granted most-favored-nation status, ensuring that any privileges China granted to other countries would also apply to Britain.
• **Tariff Agreement**: A fixed tariff was established for trade in the open ports.

Impact

The Treaty of Nanking marked the beginning of what is often referred to as the "Century of Humiliation" for China. It significantly weakened the Qing dynasty and led to further unequal treaties with other Western powers. The opening of treaty ports facilitated the spread of Western influence and trade in China, but also led to increased foreign control and intervention in Chinese affairs.

Subsequent Treaties

The Treaty of Nanking was followed by the Treaty of the Bogue in 1843, which granted additional privileges to Britain, including extraterritorial rights for British citizens in China. Other Western powers soon demanded similar concessions, leading to a series of unequal treaties that further eroded Chinese sovereignty.

See Also

• First Opium War
• Second Opium War
• Treaty of the Bogue
• Treaty ports
• Century of Humiliation
• Qing dynasty
• British Empire