Answer:
The Opium Wars was China’s attempt to suppress the opium trade, but the British gained a lot by illegally exporting opium to China since the 18th century. The majority of Chinese people became addicted to opium.
The Treaty of Nanjing ended the Opium War, but China had to cede Hong Kong Island to the British, increase the number of treaty ports and pay a large indemnity.
Despite the fact of tea and silk industries flourishing, other industries became less profitable and Chinese copper currency was devastated.
The government had to pay the indemnity and because of it could not help its people, poverty rose.