Which conflict between Britain and China (1839-1842) primarily revolved around trade imbalances and the opium trade?

The First Opium War, which took place from 1839 to 1842, was fundamentally centered on trade imbalances that arose from Britain's opium trade with China. During this period, British merchants were exporting opium to China, leading to widespread addiction and severe social and economic issues. The Chinese government's attempts to curtail the opium trade culminated in the confiscation and destruction of large quantities of opium, which heightened tensions between the two nations.

In response to these measures, Britain sought to protect its trade interests, viewing the opium trade as vital for balancing the deficits caused by their imports of tea and silk from China. The conflict that ensued was not just about opium; it represented larger issues, including sovereignty, economic control, and the rights of foreign traders in China. The resulting Treaty of Nanking, which concluded the war, ceded Hong Kong to Britain and opened up several ports to British trade, fundamentally changing the dynamics of Sino-British relations and setting a precedent for future imperialism in the region.

In contrast, the Second Opium War involved different geopolitical factors and took place later, while the Boxer Rebellion and the Taiping Rebellion were domestic insurrections influenced by multiple social, religious,