The British Foreign Secretary H.J.J. Palmerston delivered a note to the Qing government, threatening to use force against China if it would not cede one or several islands along its seacoast to Britain forever as demanded and designated by the British Plenipotentiaries. In April of 1840, the British government decided to wage a full-fledged war with China. In June of the same year the British forces arrived and the Opium War officially started. This Opium War would last for more than two long, tiring years. The British army was overwhelming for the unprepared Chinese army. The British easily took over any of the ports and shocked and surprised the panic-stricken emperor. The emperor then sent out his men to go negotiate with the British who wanted access to more ports and the price of the amount of opium that they destroyed. After much fighting, the Chinese finally agreed to these and the Qing court signed the Teaty of Nanjing. his was the official end of the war. .

             The Treaty of Nanjing caused the end of the first Opium War. There were a lot of demands from the British that the Chinese had to accept, in fear that the British would take over their nation. For example, the Chinese agreed to open five more ports the to the British. The Chinese really wanted to limit the British influence but ended up having to open their ports to the British. The opening of these ports lead to the end of the imperial system in China. The five new ports opened to the British really hurt the Chinese. In addition, the Chinese gave up the island port of Hong Kong in exchange for peace. This port would act as a permanent place for the British to stay. The British didn't really like the island harbor of Hong Kong but they wanted permanent property to stay on. Hong Kong, once in the hands of the British prospered greatly and was a tremendous help to the British. Also, they agreed to pay for the damaged opium, which they burned publicly a few years back.