Britain, Hong Kong and the Opium Wars

This lesson focuses on how Britain first gained control of Hong Kong and, gives an overview of the Opium Wars and how they have shaped China’s relationship with Britain and the West today.

This lesson is part of a wider British Empire scheme of work and, is continued with a second lesson focusing on the handover of Hong Kong and the extent of similarities between British Hong Kong and, Chinese Hong Kong.

This lesson covers the causes, events and consequences of the Opium Wars and, gives pupils geographical context as to where the conflict took place. The lesson culminates in a GCSE question (AQA) but this could be adapted for other exam boards.