What flower caused China to lose Hong Kong?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
July 15, 2001
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The opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) [pap' a ver som nif er um] is an annual from southeastern Europe and western Asia. Long has the addictive effect of poppies been known, Gerard (The Herball, 1597) writes, "It mitigateth all kind of pains: but it leaveth behind it oftentimes a mischief worse that the disease itself, and that hard to be cured, as a dead palsy and such like." Opium addicts shake when they need another dose.
Opium had been taken to China along the Silk Road, but amounts had been small and its use modest. But in the 1800's, China opened a seaport for trade with the Western nations. European countries, especially the British (East India Company) discovered they could "make a killing" smuggling opium into China.
The Manchu government of China soon discovered that addicted workers don't work and addicted mothers don't take care of their children. The country suffered a staggering loss of currency and was on the verge of collapse.
When the Manchu government tried to put a halt to the profiteering, the British government sent troops to back the smugglers. The Opium War lasted from 1839 to 1842 and the Chinese lost. China was forced to sign a treaty with Great Britain making Hong Kong a British colony.
Series: | 1 | | 2 | | 3 | | 4 | | 5 | | 6 | | 7 |
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
What flower caused China to lose Hong Kong? Plants that Changed History - July 15, 2001
What did the beautiful opium poppy give and take away? Herbal Folklore - August 20, 2001
What Chinese plant gives us so much more than just food? Plants that Changed History - 10/02/01
What was the First Opium War? Plants that Changed History - October 22, 2002
How did a ban on tobacco lead to opium smoking? Plants that Changed History - October 15, 2002
What was a pain-killer of last resort? Herbal Folklore - October 14, 2002
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Gardens Alive! -$20 off—>Click here.
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