Question

what was the cause of the armed conflict between great britain and china in 1840 that was focused around the port of canton?

great britain refused to stop selling opium in china.

the empress dowager began the one hundred days of reform.

chinese peasants massacred western missionaries, journalists, and diplomats.

great britain attempted to make all of china a british colony.

Explanation:

The First Opium - War in 1840 between Britain and China centered around Canton was mainly due to Britain's refusal to stop the illegal opium - trade in China. The One Hundred Days of Reform occurred much later in 1898. The massacre of Westerners by Chinese peasants was related to the Boxer Rebellion. The attempt to make all of China a British colony was a long - term imperialist goal but not the immediate cause of the 1840 conflict.

Answer:

Great Britain refused to stop selling opium in China.