Question

Though China outlawed opium in 1836, the British continued the sale through smugglers. Three years later, what followed?

The sale of Hong Kong
The Opium War
Peace treaties
An increase in Chinese migrants fleeing a drug addicted society

Answer 1

Despite the opium outlaw, the British continued to bring the drug into China. This resulted in the Opium Wars which lasted from 1839-1842. The possibility of war was threatened by Lin (leader of China) during the early 1830's when he wrote a letter to Queen Victoria. However, Britain did not see this as a threat and ended up easily defeating the Chinese due to their strong naval forces. The Treaty of Nanjing ends the Opium Wars and results in China losing Hong Kong.