The Opium Wars were a series of military conflicts in the 1800s between China, which was under the rule of the Qing dynasty, and Western countries, particularly Britain.
First Opium War (1839-1842): The conflict began when China attempted to suppress the illegal opium trade that was being promoted by the British, which was causing mayhem in the social structure and economy.
Second Opium War (1856-1860): The British and French combined their efforts against the Chinese to demand greater trade concessions.