The Second Opium War was1June 856 to1June 860, and1June 860. Britain and France launched wars under the pretext of Yarrow Incident and Father Ma Incident respectively, and Britain and France jointly launched a war of aggression against China with the support of the United States and Russia. Because this war can be regarded as the continuation of the first opium war (that is, the opium war, as opposed to the second), it is also called the "second opium war".
1860, British and French troops invaded Beijing, and the Qing emperor fled to Chengde. British and French troops invaded Yuanmingyuan, plundered jewels and burned them. After Russia sent troops to participate in the war, it claimed that "mediation was successful" and coerced the Qing government to cede more than 6.5438+0.5 million square kilometers of territory, becoming the biggest winner. The war ended with the Qing government being forced to sign the Beijing Treaty.
Extended data:
The influence of the first opium war;
The failure of the Opium War and the signing of a series of unequal treaties fundamentally changed the social nature of China. Foreign capitalism ceded Hong Kong Island from China, paid compensation of 2 1 10,000 silver dollars, opened five ports of Guangzhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Ningbo and Shanghai for trade, and a series of privileges such as negotiated tariff rights, consular jurisdiction and one-sided MFN treatment, which seriously damaged China's independent sovereignty.
After the signing of the treaty of nanking, the United States and France followed suit, taking the opportunity to claim privileges, forcing the Qing government to sign a series of unequal treaties. The Opium War marked the beginning of China's modern history. Since then, China has suffered more and more, and the people of China are facing more complicated and tortuous struggles.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Opium War
Baidu Encyclopedia-The Second Opium War