What was the controversy over opium

During the 1830's there was a significant conflict between Great Britain and China. At this time, Britain was making a huge profit of the opium trade. Britain would import opium, a highly addictive drug, into China despite the wishes of the Chinese government.

The Chinese responded to the British actions by destroying a warehouse full of opium that belonged to the British. This was just the first action of several. China and Great Britain ended up fighting each other in multiple Opium Wars during the 19th century.