Question

Why did the government of the Qing Dynasty wish to prevent the British from selling opium in China?

(a) They believed that opium was addictive and harmful to society.
(b) They feared that opium addiction would weaken their population and make them more vulnerable to foreign invasion.
(c) They wanted to protect their own domestic production and sale of opium.
(d) All of the above

Answer 1

The government of the Qing Dynasty wished to prevent the British from selling opium in China due to the belief that it was addictive and harmful to society, the fear that opium addiction would weaken their population and make them vulnerable to foreign invasion, and the desire to protect their domestic production and sale of opium.

Step-by-step explanation:

The government of the Qing Dynasty wish to prevent the British from selling opium in China for multiple reasons. First, they believed that opium was addictive and harmful to society. Second, they feared that opium addiction would weaken their population and make them more vulnerable to foreign invasion. Finally, they wanted to protect their own domestic production and sale of opium. These factors led to the Chinese government outlawing opium imports and ultimately resulted in the First Opium War.

Answer 2

The government of the Qing Dynasty aimed to prevent the British from selling opium in China due to their fear that opium addiction would weaken the Chinese population, making them more susceptible to foreign invasion. So, the correct answer is (b) They feared that opium addiction would weaken their population and make them more vulnerable to foreign invasion.

Step-by-step explanation:

Qing Dynasty's Concerns: The Qing Dynasty expressed significant concerns about the detrimental effects of opium on Chinese society. The rulers feared that widespread opium addiction would lead to physical and social deterioration among the population.

Weakening of the Population: The primary motivation behind preventing the British from selling opium in China was the fear that opium addiction would weaken the Chinese population. A weakened populace was seen as a vulnerability that could be exploited by foreign powers, potentially leading to invasion or domination.

Societal and Political Consequences: The Qing Dynasty recognized the broader societal and political consequences of opium addiction. They aimed to protect the well-being of their citizens and maintain the strength of the Chinese population against potential foreign threats.

Therefore, the correct answer is (b) They feared that opium addiction would weaken their population and make them more vulnerable to foreign invasion.