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Consequences
The British showed their technological and commercial strength over the Chinese
The Chinese Emperor had been unable to coordinate his forces or stand up to modern warfare.
- Humiliated and weakened internally
The British requested that the Chinese open 5 ‘Treaty Ports’ to freedom of trade and had to pay compensation to British traders for loss of goods (mostly Opium)
- Sold as a triumph of Laissez Faire Free Trade
- But really a triumph of Industrial and Naval Might
Hong Kong was taken as a British Base to monitor Chinese adherence to ‘Free Trade’