Opium Wars Dbq

I agree to a small extent.
The Opium War did affect China’s economy. From Source B, I can infer that the Opium Wars made China richer. The source mentioned that the export of tea from China increased 42,000,000kg in 1855 from only 7,500,000kg in 1843, an increase of more than 500%. This showed that the trade increased. With more trade, there would be more money which were gained from the trades. Furthermore, more trade also means more jobs for the Chinese. Therefore, the Chinese will be able to earn more money and they can afford more items to live a better life. So, the Opium wars did affect the China’s economy. From what I have learnt, the treaty which China signed from the Opium Wars forced China to open up five ports to foreign trade (canton, shanghai, Foochow, Ningpo and Amoy). With more ports opened up,
there will be more chances for foreign trade. Hence, China will be able to earn more money from the trade. This will make them richer and the Chinese will be able to earn more money and they can afford more items to live a better life. Therefore, it matches with Source B proving that the Opium Wars did affect the China’s economy.
However, the Opium Wars did affect China politically.
From Source A, I can infer that China was politically weak. The picture in Source A shows United States, Germany, Russia, France and Japan holding knives surrounding a table with the word “China” on it, while China looks helplessly at them. It is saying that these countries are planning to attack China but China could not do anything about it. As the result of the Opium Wars, China became politically weak because they had to struggle dealing with the humiliation and they had to import vital technologies while keeping all unwanted alien influences. Hence, China became vulnerable to attacks from other countries because they were outdated. Therefore, China’s political status was unstable thus the Opium Wars did affect China politically. From what I have learnt, due to the Opium Wars China had to surrender their territories. This encouraged other foreign powers such as Hong Kong, British, Macau, Portuguese, Taiwan and Japan to rush for their share. Therefore, China became politically unstable as other countries may attack them. Hence, it matches with Source A so the Opium Wars did affect China
politically. The Opium Wars did affect China socially. China became weak socially. From Source C, it mentioned that with increasing unemployment many turned to banditry and developed links with local secret societies for protection. As the soldiers lost their jobs, they did not make enough money. Hence they had to steal and join secret societies to ensure their survival. This can cause many cases of stealing and fights. The number of crimes will increase hence the Chinese people will not be safe. So, China became socially weak. From what I have learnt, due to China losing the Opium Wars, they had to pay an indemnity of 21 million silver dollars to pay for the confiscated opium and the cost of the war. This came from the heavy taxes that the Chinese had to pay. Hence, many that could not afford to pay had to turn to banditry to pay for the taxes. The increase in banditry will then affect the safety of the people. Therefore, it matches with Source C. So, the Opium Wars did affect China socially.
Source B is suspicious as it was written in a column article in a British history magazine published in 1990s. It was most probably written by a British for the British people to read it. Hence, they wanted it to seem like the British were helping the Chinese when they signed the treaty. This is to gain support from the people in Britain and those from other countries who read it and to let others have a good impression on the British. Furthermore, it only mentioned all the advantages that China gained. Therefore, Source B is unreliable. However this does not change my stand as whether the opium wars affected China positively or negatively, it still affected China. In conclusion, I feel that the Opium Wars did affected China economically but it also affected China politically and socially as well. Hence, I agree to a small extent.