The Second Opium War, also known as the Arrow War or the Anglo-French War of 1856-1860, was a series of military engagements fought between Britain and France against China. The war was largely caused by disputes over trade and China’s refusal to accept the trade terms imposed by Britain and France.
By the end of the war, China had been humiliated and forced to accept a number of unequal treaties. These included granting Britain and France most-favoured-nation status, opening up 11 ports for foreign trade, ceding control of areas such as Hong Kong and Macau to Britain and France, and paying a large indemnity to the two Western powers.
The treaty also forbade the Chinese from imposing restrictions on the trade conducted by foreigners in certain areas. In addition, it mandated that foreign merchants were allowed to hire Chinese employees, own property, and take part in legal cases with Chinese citizens.
As part of the treaty, the Chinese Exclusion Act was enacted in 1882. This was an immigration law introduced by the United States that restricted all Chinese immigration. It was extended in 1888, making it more difficult for Chinese people to legally enter the United States.
The war also saw an influx of foreign missionaries into China. Missionaries often sought to convert Chinese people to Christianity and were seen as a threat to traditional Chinese culture.
In addition, the treaty gave Britain and France the right to station troops in Beijing, which was used to suppress the Taiping Rebellion, a large civil war which had broken out in 1850.
The Second Opium War had lasting effects on China. The indemnity payments imposed on China crippled its economy and destabilized its government. To pay back the indemnity, the Qing dynasty had to resort to measures such as unfair taxes, corruption, and the sale of offices. This further weakened China’s government and hurt the Chinese people.
Furthermore, the unequal treaties and the removal of restrictions on foreign influence opened the door for Western imperialism in China. The excesses of foreign traders and Christian missionaries led to social unrest and demonstrations against foreigners.
The Second Opium War thus demonstrated Britain and France’s increasing dominance in China and the region, and showed how much power they were able to exert over the Chinese government. This was to be a key factor in the decline of the Qing dynasty and the eventual fall of Imperial China.