Final answer:
The Opium War and the Treaty of Nanking resulted in China being divided into spheres of influence, with foreign powers gaining significant control over China's trade and territory through 'unequal treaties' that favored foreign interests at the expense of China's sovereignty.
Step-by-step explanation:
As a result of the Opium War and the Treaty of Nanking, China was divided into spheres of influence. After suffering military defeats and internal rebellion, China was forced to sign the Treaty of Nanjing in 1842, which ceded Hong Kong to Great Britain and opened five ports to European traders. Subsequent treaties and conflicts, particularly the Second Opium War, led to further concessions, including additional opened ports, rights for foreigners to travel and reside in China with extraterritorial rights, and the allowance of Christian missionary activities.
The Treaty of Nanking was regarded by the Chinese as an "unequal treaty" because it significantly favored foreign powers, particularly the British, and violated China's sovereignty. The aftermath saw a disruption of the Qing Dynasty's authority and paved the way for foreign governments to establish spheres of influence across China, severely limiting its ability to self-govern and control its economy. These treaties and losses marked the beginning of a period of semi-colonial status for China, in which foreign powers had significant control over its trade and territory.