Question

base your answers to questions 5 and 6 on the passage below and your knowledge of social studies.

the roots of the opium war (or first china war) lay in a trade dispute between the british and the chinese qing dynasty. by the start of the 19th century, the trade in chinese goods such as tea, silks and porcelain was extremely lucrative for british merchants. the problem was that the chinese would not buy british products in return. they would only sell their goods in exchange for silver, and as a result large amounts of silver were leaving britain.

in order to stop this, the east india company and other british merchants began to smuggle indian opium into china illegally, for which they demanded payment in silver. this was then used to buy tea and other goods. by 1839, opium sales to china paid for the entire tea trade. . . .

source: \opium war,\ national army museum of the united kingdom

5 which statement is best supported by this passage?
(1) britain violated chinese law in order to gain a more favorable balance of trade.
(2) china relied on goods produced by britain during the industrial revolution.
(3) britain enslaved many indians in silver mines to finance their trade with china.
(4) china followed a policy of isolationism and refused all trade with the british.

6 which statement identifies a long - term effect of the conflict described in this passage?
(1) a series of unequal treaties granted britain spheres of influence in china.
(2) the british implemented a policy of mercantilism in their american colonies.
(3) the congress of vienna led to the redrawing of political boundary lines in europe.
(4) the qing dynasty was cut off from further trade with european countries.

Explanation:

For question 5:

• The passage states that the British smuggled Indian opium into China illegally. Smuggling is a violation of Chinese law. The goal was to gain a more favorable balance of trade (as they could use the proceeds from opium sales to buy Chinese goods like tea).
• Option (2) is incorrect as the passage says China would not buy British products. Option (3) is not mentioned in the passage. Option (4) is wrong because China was trading (selling goods for silver initially).

For question 6:

• After the Opium War, a series of unequal treaties (like the Treaty of Nanjing) were imposed on China. These treaties gave Britain (and later other Western powers) spheres of influence in China.
• Option (2) is about the American colonies and mercantilism which is not related to the Opium War. Option (3) - the Congress of Vienna was about post - Napoleonic Europe. Option (4) is incorrect as after the Opium War, China was forced into more trade (unequal trade) with Western countries.

Answer:

1. (1) Britain violated Chinese law in order to gain a more favorable balance of trade.
2. (1) A series of unequal treaties granted Britain spheres of influence in China.