a thirst for tea

The thirst for Chinese tea, silk and porcelain created a trade imbalance between the British and Chinese and was the spark that eventually led to the Opium War. With the illicit trafficking of opium into China, this 'trade war' was eventually won by the British with severe consequences to the Chinese - committing them to free trade, including opium and the ceding of Hong Kong. Whilst opening of the Chinese market further enriched and expanded the British Empire, the dynasty of China was devastated and eventually collapsed - the trade war in tea changed the history of Britain and China in very different ways. The drawing reflects this neglected and hidden part of British history.