Introduction / Context:
This question deals with the chronology of nineteenth century conflicts in East Asia. The First Opium War between Britain and China is a key event in the history of imperialism and the weakening of traditional Asian empires. The question asks specifically for the year when this war began, which is an important date for understanding how trade disputes and military pressure led to unequal treaties and the partial opening of China to Western influence.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The event is the First Opium War between Britain and China.
- The question asks for the starting year of the conflict.
- Options include several years from the nineteenth century, some of which are also connected with other historical events.
- The learner is expected to know or approximate the correct year from standard history timelines.
Concept / Approach:
The First Opium War began in eighteen thirty nine and ended in eighteen forty two with the Treaty of Nanking. This treaty forced China to open ports and cede territory such as Hong Kong to Britain. To answer the question, students should remember that the late eighteen thirties mark the outbreak of the conflict and match that remembrance with the specific option eighteen thirty nine. Years like eighteen fifty three or eighteen fifty seven are associated with other events, such as the Crimean War or the revolt of eighteen fifty seven in India, not with the start of the Opium War.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall that the First Opium War is dated from eighteen thirty nine to eighteen forty two in standard history books.
2. Focus on the starting year, which is eighteen thirty nine, as required by the question.
3. Look at the options and identify eighteen thirty nine among them.
4. Note that earlier or later years such as eighteen thirty seven, eighteen fifty three, or eighteen fifty seven refer to other events and therefore should be rejected.
5. Select eighteen thirty nine as the exact year when the Opium War began.
Verification / Alternative check:
To double check, learners can connect the Opium War timeline with the reign of Queen Victoria in Britain and the Qing dynasty in China. Most school level timelines of imperialism list the First Opium War as one of the earliest conflicts of Queen Victoria era, beginning in eighteen thirty nine. The Treaty of Nanking that ended the war is dated eighteen forty two, which is consistent with a three year conflict starting in eighteen thirty nine. No standard reference moves the start of the war to eighteen fifty three or eighteen fifty seven, confirming that eighteen thirty nine is the correct year.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Eighteen fifty three is linked with the Crimean War and does not match the period of the First Opium War between Britain and China.
Eighteen fifty seven is famous for the revolt of eighteen fifty seven in India and other events, not for the beginning of the Opium War.
Eighteen thirty seven is too early and is not given in standard accounts as the formal start date of the conflict.
Eighteen forty five falls between major events but is not used as the accepted year for the outbreak of the First Opium War.
Common Pitfalls:
Because several important conflicts occurred in the nineteenth century, students sometimes blur dates together and may wrongly pick eighteen fifty seven, which they strongly associate with revolt in India. Others may simply guess one of the mid century years because they know the war took place sometime in the eighteen hundreds. To avoid this, it is helpful to remember a simple pair: Opium War eighteen thirty nine to eighteen forty two. Fixing both the start and end dates in memory makes it easier to choose eighteen thirty nine with confidence when asked for the starting year alone.
Final Answer:
The correct answer is
1839.
Discussion & Comments