Europeans capitalized on these inventions, leveraging them to attain worldwide supremacy by augmenting and refining their capabilities. This enabled them to effectively navigate uncharted territories and establish the most formidable military forces on the planet.
An evident illustration of this can be found in the Opium War of 1839, where Britain and China clashed, showcasing the European utilization of advancements to exert dominance.
Despite China's advantage of home ground, their wooden-hulled ships, crude flintlocks, and reliance on bows and arrows paled in comparison to the advanced steel-hulled ships, state-of-the-art British flintlock guns, and artillery. China suffered a resounding defeat and was forced to sign unfavorable treaties.
The Chinese army, accustomed to employing rudimentary weapons and tactics in conflicts without guns and cannons, found themselves ill-prepared to compete against a European adversary. China's status as the most populous country meant they possessed a significant number of soldiers, but military training and strategy were closely tied to the weaponry employed. When confronted by a European foe armed with superior firearms and artillery, a comparison was futile. Despite having a larger troop count, China was ultimately defeated due to the unsuitability of their weapons and tactics against their technologically advanced opponents.
China, being the large and most populous country in the world, faced not only one but multiple Western empires that sought to exploit its resources and influence. Among these empires were France, the United States, and Russia, all engaged in various conflicts and power struggles with China.
Besides military might, political power also plays a crucial role. Colonial powers employ strategies that manipulate indigenous populations to establish control over them. By exploiting ethnic and class divisions, they aim to achieve victory without direct confrontation. Furthermore, they often conscript soldiers from colonial territories to serve as expendable forces in new battlefronts.
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