21. Why were the Opium Wars and tho outenmos considered economis imporialism?

## Step 1<br />The Opium Wars and the subsequent treaties are considered examples of economic imperialism because they were primarily driven by economic interests. The British, in particular, were interested in expanding their trade with China, which was largely self-sufficient and did not need British goods. However, China was a major producer of tea, silk, and porcelain, which were in high demand in Britain.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />To balance this trade imbalance, the British began smuggling opium into China. This was a highly profitable venture for the British, but it was also illegal under Chinese law. The Chinese government's attempts to stop the opium trade led to the Opium Wars.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />The British government used military force to ensure the continuation of the opium trade, which was a clear example of economic imperialism. The British were using their military power to enforce their economic interests, which is a key characteristic of imperialism.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />The Treaty of Nanjing, which ended the First Opium War, is a prime example of economic imperialism. The British forced China to open up more ports for trade and to cede Hong Kong to Britain. This was done to ensure that the British could continue to trade opium in China, which was a highly profitable venture for them.