Siding with the British, this dispute over trade agreements with China led to two wars, the second of which ended in the mid-19th century in a Qing dynasty defeat.

The Opium Wars were caused by the British desire to expand their trade, legalize the opium trade, and get rid of internal foreign import taxes in China. When the Chinese attacked a U.S. Navy officer, the country was drawn into the Second Opium War. By the end, both the U.S. and Russia demanded concessions and trade rights from China as well.

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