What was a consequence of the Opium Wars between 1839 and 1860?

The Opium Wars, which took place between 1839 and 1860, had significant consequences for China's relationship with European powers, particularly Great Britain. One of the key outcomes was that China was compelled to open its ports to foreign trade, specifically to facilitate the opium trade, which had been a point of contention leading to the wars.

The First Opium War began when the Qing Dynasty tried to suppress the opium trade that the British were heavily involved in, asserting that it was causing widespread addiction and social issues. The resulting conflict ended in the Treaty of Nanking (1842), which forced China to cede Hong Kong to Britain and open several ports, including Canton (Guangzhou), to British merchants. This opening allowed for an influx of opium and other goods, essentially establishing a framework for a trade relationship that was heavily tilted in favor of the British and other Western powers.

Subsequent treaties following the Second Opium War further expanded this access and included concessions that undermined China's sovereignty, leading to the so-called "Unequal Treaties." Therefore, the correct answer underscores the significant impact of the Opium Wars on China's trade policies and its forced integration into the global economy dominated by Western powers.