Extended data:
After the Industrial Revolution, the British bourgeoisie tried to sell industrial products to China in an attempt to open the door to China through commodity trade. Until 19, in the 1920s and 1930s, in order to change the unfavorable trade situation, the British bourgeoisie made strong representations through diplomatic channels and adopted despicable means to smuggle a large number of special commodities-opium-to China in the form of "extermination" to satisfy its infinite desire to pursue profits.
Opium trade has brought amazing profits to the British bourgeoisie, the British and Indian governments, the East India Company and opium dealers. It broke the long-term advantage of China's foreign trade, and changed China from a country that went abroad for more than 200 years into a country that went abroad.
"Poisonous crow smoke is a disaster that has not happened in China for 3,000 years". A large number of opium imports have led to an annual outflow of 6 million taels of silver in China, and a serious shortage of silver has occurred in China, resulting in the depletion of finances and the emptiness of the national treasury.
The import of opium has seriously ruined social customs and ruined people's physical and mental health. Drug abuse not only harms the physical and mental health of China people, but also damages social productive forces, leading to the depression and decline of industry and commerce in the southeast coastal areas.
Expansion of Great Powers: 19 In the 1940s, western capitalist countries flourished under the glory of the industrial revolution. In order to expand the commodity market, compete for the origin of raw materials and step up colonial conquest activities, countries and regions around China have become their colonies or spheres of influence. As an ancient country with a vast territory, China has naturally become a new target for colonialists' aggression and expansion.