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Enduring Impact of Opium War
- The Opium War marked one of the most humiliating incidents in Modern Chinese history, initiating a prolonged decline.
- Its memory still influences China's view on international relations, especially with Britain and America.
China's Worldview Clash
- Qing rulers believed China was the world center and inferior nations should pay tribute.
- This worldview clashed with Europeans seeking equal trade, fueling tensions leading to conflict.
Opium Trade Upended Economy
- Opium became the de facto currency for trade with China, reversing silver flow to a net outflow.
- This created social and economic disruption, with addiction widespread and tax burdens worsening for peasants.