The British promoted the sale of Indian opium in China. This was part of the British East India Company's efforts to find new markets for Indian goods and to address the trade imbalance with China. The opium trade was a profitable business for the British, but it had devastating effects on the Chinese population and economy.

Background: British East India Company's efforts to address trade imbalance

- In the late 18th century, the British East India Company was facing a trade imbalance with China. They were buying more goods from China, such as tea and silk, than they were selling.
- The British tried to find new markets for Indian goods, such as cotton and opium, to address this imbalance.

Promotion of opium trade

- The British East India Company began to promote the sale of Indian opium in China in the late 18th century.
- They set up opium factories in India and encouraged Indian farmers to grow opium.
- The opium was then shipped to China and sold to Chinese merchants.

Effects on China

- The opium trade had devastating effects on China. It led to widespread addiction among the Chinese population and had negative effects on their health, social and economic well-being.
- The Chinese government tried to ban the trade, but the British continued to smuggle opium into China.
- This led to the Opium Wars between Britain and China in the mid-19th century. Britain won the wars and forced China to open up to foreign trade and to legalize the opium trade.

Conclusion

The promotion of Indian opium in China by the British had long-lasting effects on China and its people. It was a profitable business for the British, but it had devastating effects on the Chinese population and economy.