> Opium wasn't really the reason they went to war, it was mostly just economic bullying by Britian's part...

Well, that's an interesting spin on the Opium Wars. You say "tea" could have been exchanged for opium?

Last time I checked, "tea" doesn't create addicted zombies that will pretty much totally destroy their lives to get another sip, does it?

Saying opium wasn't the reason is disingenuous...yes, the only thing China was willing to trade Britain for their much desired tea was India's opium, but the widespread social destruction that was created by this trade had to be ended.

I often think that few things in history show just how uncaring governments can be then how the Brit's went to war not once by twice to force the Chinese to continue to accept opium (and thus keep their population addicted and in terrible crisis) as payment for tea.