The impact of the Opium Wars on China was profound and transformative. The First Opium War (1839-1842) and the Second Opium War (1856-1860) against Great Britain and other Western powers resulted in significant territorial and economic concessions for foreign nations. China was forced to sign unequal treaties, such as the Treaty of Nanking, which ceded Hong Kong and opened numerous ports to foreign trade, greatly diminishing China's sovereignty. The wars exacerbated social unrest, contributed to the decline of the Qing Dynasty, and set the stage for further foreign intervention, ultimately leading to significant upheaval during the 19th and early 20th centuries.