| The situation of Qing Dynasty was as precarious as a pile of eggs at the beginning of eggs at the beginning of the 20th century. In order to resolve the extremely critical predicament, the Qing government introduced a serial of new policies, including a ban on opium smoking and trafficking and the planting of opium poppy in China. The opium ban was established by the Qing government on September 20, 1906. During the movement the Qing government adopted lots of measures to settle the opium question. In the diplomatic aspect, the Qing government positively strived for the sympathy and the supportment of the international society through the diplomatic negotiations. Especially China and Britain concluded two important treaties:"Anti-opium Treaty" and"Anti-opium Treaty by China and Britain ".As the biggest opium-- smuggling ring internationally, Britain was forced to accept full responsibility for decreasing the Indian opium to China steadily. After ten years Britain would not transport opium to China. At home the Qing government at first adopted the policy of gradual opium-prohibiting. There was an overflow of opium in the country at that time. The opium taxes and levies had been one of the main financial resources. But many people gave the Qing government strong backing. Afterwards the Qing government was determined to implement the policy of rapid opium-prohibiting in order to impose restrictions on foreign opium trade. The ban on the planting of opium poppy and opium smoking and trafficking was carried out more rigorously by the governments at various levels than ever. The number of opium addicts greatly diminished. The quantity of opium goods fell off considerably. Large numbers of opium dens were not allowed to do business as usual during the movement. However Revolution of 1911 led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen overthrew Qing Dynasty. Naturally the opium ban was also lifted because lots of other important questions required immediate settlement at that time. Obviously it took the Qing government only five years to strictly enforce the ban. In a word, the Qing government adopted some effective measures to deal with domestic opium affairs and foreign opium affairs during the period. Moreover, the opium ban followed the trend of the times and the majority will. Therefore, the anti-opium campaign launched by the Qing government achieved the surprised results in so short time. However on the accounts, such as the faulty leadership organization and opium ban, the anti-opium movement did not achieve the anticipated effect in fact. If we pursue theoretical studies on the anti-opium movement from 1906 to 1911, we may acquire much experience. |
