Multiple choice

Which best explains the reason the British turned to trading Opium in China?

  1. Opium addiction was profitable in the 13 colonies

  2. couldn't find any other commodity to trade

  3. successful opium trade in India was the model for China

  4. share the benefits of opium
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The British faced a severe trade imbalance with China because Western goods were not highly sought after by the Chinese public, while British demand for Chinese tea, silk, and porcelain was immense. To stop the drain of silver used to pay for these goods, the British turned to smuggling Indian-grown opium into China. This created a highly profitable commodity that balanced the trade deficit.

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