this post was submitted on 07 May 2025
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Shipping opium is a light way to put it. The goal was to get the local populace addicted to Indian Opium and to receive payment in silver so that very silver could be used to buy tea.
The trade imbalance was driven by demand for tea and Britain was willing to have an entire population become addicted to feed that demand, essentially acting as a colonial drug dealer.
Unfortunately, people from colonial powers rarely learn or reflect on these aspects of their history (though I'm certain it is taught in China and India).
Seems fair to me, we get addicted to tea and they get addicted to opium?
(/s of course)
Polly, put the kettle on..
This is basic history education.