Why was opium sold to the Chinese?

Question

Why did the British allowed the sale of opium by its mechants to the Chinese during the 19th century even though opium is a drug and it's wrong? As that was a drug, surely they would know it was better not to sell it? Why didn't they sell opium to their own people also?

Answer 1

In those days, the British would not use opium. At that time, it is said that the Chinese already knew what opium was and their culture did ban its use because of an illegal drug abuse problem. The British had no such rule, and simply that that it would be OK at the time.

In the USA, drugs only became illegal when drug abuse started to get noticeable.

Today, it seems OK to buy really cheap used laptop computers. But did you know that it was stolen? Did you know that this will support someone's drug habit? You should not buy stolen merchandise; even though it seems harmless.

Answer 2

Hi,
First of all the question should be corrected, the Britts did not only allow it, they actually enforced it. The British empire throughout the history has done similar acts to help it's short term and long term plan in the colonial sections of it's Empire.

They were sure about the consequences of what they were doing, they knew opium is a drug that makes people addicted and slow, both were in the interests of the Imperial Britts. A society that is highly addicted to drugs does not get involved into politics, does not stand up for it's rights and definitely can not become a treat to the world leaders. And most importantly, it was the profit, the money they were making to pay for the quality goods of China and at the same time worked toward the total destruction of that society.

Take a look at the wikipedia for the history of the Opium wars:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium_Wars

The same story goes on today, where the production of opium and heroin has gone up to astronomical levels since the western armies took over the Afghanistan.

The price of Heroin has gone down to 1/6th of it value before November 2001 in the countries close to Afghanistan and it has gone down to 1/3rd of it's value in Germany, Italy, Ireland and other European countries.
See the article bellow for some insight about the true facts of today opium trade:

http://www.counterpunch.org/bumpercrop.html


The old imperial rulers of the world are back in business and they are doing the same thing in the same way, but slightly different, but the losers in this game are the people of the "colonies" and the 3rd world countries, and the winners are the political elite who directly or indirectly helping the spread of these deadly disease into those countries and make billions of dollars out of it.

The reason why they did not sell the opium to the europeans and the Britts is obvious,

Cheers,
/Farhad

Answer 3

Actually, the reason was that the British were forced to find something that the Chinese wanted. Trade between China and England in silks, tea and chinese luxuries were at a very high level, but the chinese would only accept silver in exchange for the goods. The chinese felt that they had nothing to gain from the british and did not accept British goods in return.

In fact, it got so bad that at one point, continually buying Chinese goods would have bankrupted the British economy. The British decided to bring opium to China so that they could barter for Chinese goods using this substance. This whole thing is all about economics.....

Answer 4

Since Chinese were not influenced so much by religion controlled by the British, they had to find their way to destroy the Chinese social structure and thus intervene in the local matters and take over the government! Thus, among others, they were trying to make the locals into drug addicts and eventually control them!

Answer 5

Jordan1call says
The dreams OF England the ((OLD LION )) to conquer the world (silk road) countries throw dividing and conquer and drugs and bad behavior like six trade and opium
and other kind of drugs like hashish and spreading gambling...etc.

Answer 6

So that the Europeans could conquer China

Answer 7

so they could keep them under control the control of hard cheap labor...just like a drug addict...you stay where the drugs are. they end up working for it . cheaper than giving money....

Answer 8

Same as now. A way to make big money.