Addiction of a nation: British opium trade with China
Many empires at their zenith have ravaged other nations in anger, revenge or pride but there is only one instance in history where a great power crippled another great nation through forcible sale of drugs. In the heydays of their global empire, Britain enforced systematic export of opium on the people of China employing her dominating navy, extensive administrative skills and immense imperial reach. When the Chinese promulgated laws and took punitive actions to restrict this trade, Britain conducted two wars against them, called Opium Wars, forcing them to legalize import of the drug. I will narrate here specifics of this trade that caused tragic consequences to people who were forced to accept its import. The profits from the trade enriched the government of UK, colonial officials, shareholders of British East India Company (BEIC) and Indian traders who facilitated the growth, transportation and sale of the drug. In the 18th century, the BEIC traded British woolens and Indian c