Western powers began to make unequal treaties with China. The first treaty was after the first Opium war, TREATY of NANJING (China had to open 5 ports, one of which included Canton). read more
These forced China to open additional ports to foreign trade,provided fixed tariffs on western imports, recognized Britain as equal to China, and gave Britain the port of Hong Kong. Other foreign countries soon made similar treaties with China by threatening force. read more
China had and rapidly increasing demand for gold because the government input a new law called the Single Whip Law. The placement of the law meant that everyone had to pay their taxes to the chines government as one single payment of gold. read more