The Second Battle of Canton was fought between British and Chinese forces in Canton; China; in May 1841 during the First Opium War.

The First Anglo-Chinese War (1839-42); known popularly as the First Opium War or simply the Opium War; was fought between the United Kingdom and the Qing Dynasty of China over their conflicting viewpoints on diplomatic relations; trade; and the administration of justice.

Chinese officials wished to end the spread of opium; and confiscated supplies of opium from British traders. The British government; although not officially denying China's right to control imports; objected to this seizure and used its military power to violently enforce redress.

In 1842; the Treaty of Nanking鈥攖he first of what the Chinese later called the unequal treaties鈥攇ranted an indemnity to Britain; the opening of five treaty ports; and the cession of Hong Kong Island; thereby ending the trade monopoly of the Canton System. The failure of the treaty to satisfy British goals of improved trade and diplomatic relations led to the Second Opium War (1856-60). The war is now considered in China as the beginning of modern Chinese history. Pictures From History