Final answer:
European nations dealt with trade in China through events like the Opium Wars and treaties like the Treaty of Tientsin, which granted them trade privileges and legal immunity. The open-door policy sought to ensure equal trading opportunities for all nations in China.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, European nations dealt with trade in China through various means. One significant event was the Opium Wars between Britain and China, where British forces sought to protect their trade interests and force China to open up its markets. The Treaty of Tientsin in 1858 further allowed European nations such as Britain, France, and Germany to establish extraterritoriality in certain Chinese cities, granting them trade privileges and legal immunity. Additionally, countries like Britain pushed for the open-door policy, which aimed to ensure equal trading opportunities for all nations in China.
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