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Arrow War

1856–1860
Also known as: Anglo-French War in China, Second Opium War

Quick Summary

The Arrow War, also known as the Second Opium War, was fought between Britain and France against China from 1856 to 1860. The conflict arose from British desires for expanded commercial access to China and was fueled by incidents like the boarding of the British ship Arrow and the killing of a French missionary.12

Key events included the capture of Canton by Anglo-French forces, the signing of the Treaties of Tianjin which opened more ports and allowed foreign envoys in Beijing, and the legalization of opium importation. Hostilities resumed when Chinese forts blocked passage to Beijing, leading to the destruction of the forts and the capture of Beijing in 1860. The war concluded with the Beijing Convention, where China ceded territory and agreed to the terms of the earlier treaties.12

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