Opium Wars consisted of two separate conflicts, the first between 1839 and 1842, the second between 1856 and 1860. Ostensibly these wars were fought over the fear that British- opium would have a drastic effect on the economy of China. On a deeper level, the conflict was over the invasion of Western influences into the Asian markets and the need for China to remain a major economic figure in the world. After global colonization, China was the last remaining Eastern country to have no foreign influence in their government or their economy. To the people of the West, who considered themselves superior beings, this was unacceptable. The resources of China should be open to Western colonizers as had all the other Asian nations, such as Japan and India. Although ostensibly about the decline in Chinese economy due to the issue of opium in the country, the Opium Wars were really about China's trying to retain autonomous power against foreign nations. Despite losing the Opium Wars and being forced into accepting trade with the western world, the opening up of China resulted in a complete economic and sociological alteration which resulted in China actually becoming a stronger nation in the aftermath. The Chinese people desired to remain as isolated and apart from the outside world as possible. Part of this separation was a belief within China that their country was the center of the universe, that the land they possessed was the best in the world and that they had to protect themselves and their land from outsiders. To this end, the government limited the amount of interaction the population could have with foreign people and the amount of merchandise imported into the country. The idea was that with limited imports, the foreign nations would remain on the periphery of society and the inclusion of their goods would be seen as a luxury, not a necessity....
In 1838, the Director of the Court of State Ceremonial, Hwang Tsioh-Tsz complained that the influx of foreign opium was causing China to decline financially, which in turn was having a negative effect on the rest of the country.[footnoteRef:1] Before the Opium Wars, trade with China was closed to the countries of the west. Decisions regarding trade were strictly controlled by the Chinese government. The only portion of China which was accessible to the outside world was the port of Canton. Merchants who came to the port to trade would be met by government officially-appointed merchants called Gong Hang. The Gong Hang controlled how much foreign merchandise could be brought into China and how what the value was for these goods.[footnoteRef:2] These men were, for a time, able to ensure that the influence of foreign countries was as limited as was at all possible. [1: Parker, Edward Harper. Chinese Account of the Opium War. (New York: Leland Parson, 1888). ] [2: "The Opium War and the Opening of China." historyliterature.homestead.com/files/extended.ht]
America's War at Home: Who's in Prison (A Brief History) The article features a timeline depicting the history of the United States Government's involvement in its attempt to prohibit harmful substances in the country. Interestingly, it is noted that the federal government had no role in any sort of substance prohibition before 1919. This is the year during which the 18th Amendment made the use of alcohol illegal. The corruption and
The line of legitimacy, separating socially approvable use of force from violence, cannot be effectively drawn without an agreement on what constitutes the optimum amount of force necessary to maintain social order and to protect human rights against encroachment. A society subscribing to infinite morality which condemns all use of force as immoral is doomed no less than a society accepting the absolute pragmatism of tyrants. " As Oleg Zinam
Adolescent Substance Use Screening Instruments: 10-Year Critical Review of the Research Literature Over ten million teenagers in the United States admit in a national survey that they drink alcohol, although it is illegal under the age of 21 in all states. In some studies, nearly one-quarter of school-age children both smoked cigarettes and drank alcohol. Over four thousand adolescents every day try marijuana for the first time. The dangers of use,
Government Since gang-related crimes fall within the jurisdiction of state, this research will give an insight on the need to find solutions that increasingly include all levels of government. Congress needs to pass legislation that will change immigration enforcement laws and make more aliens deportable. In addition, the federal government should take a more active participation in helping local and state jurisdictions develop anti-gang responses. The local, state and federal governments
Christian Biotechnology: Not a Contradiction in Terms Presented with the idea of "Bioethics" most people in the scientific community today immediately get the impression of repressive, Luddite forces wishing to stifle research and advancement in the name of morality and God. Unfortunately, this stereotype too often holds true. If one looks over the many independent sites on the Internet regarding bioethics, reads popular magazines and publications, or browses library shelves for
Mexico faces an array of drug-related problems ranging from production and transshipment of illicit drugs to corruption, violence, and increased internal drug abuse. Powerful and well-organized Mexican organizations control drug production and trafficking in and through Mexico, as well as the laundering of drug proceeds. These organizations also have made a concerted effort to corrupt and intimidate Mexican law enforcement and public officials. In addition, the geographic proximity of
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now