European powers intervened in China for various reasons, including:
1. **To open Chinese ports to trade:** European countries wanted to expand their trade opportunities with China and gain access to its markets for their goods. This was a key motivation for their intervention.
2. **To stop the sale of opium:** Although the sale of opium was a significant source of revenue for some European powers, it also led to social issues in China. Some countries aimed to control or stop the opium trade during their intervention.
3. **To establish mines for raw materials:** While the extraction of raw materials was not the primary goal of intervention, some European powers sought to exploit China's resources for their own industrial needs. This was part of the broader economic interests driving their involvement.
4. **To spread Christianity:** While not the primary reason for intervention, some European powers, particularly missionaries, saw an opportunity to spread Christianity in China during this period. This religious aspect influenced their actions to some extent.
Overall, the goals of European intervention in China were multifaceted, including economic interests, controlling trade routes, addressing social issues like opium addiction, and, to a lesser extent, spreading religious beliefs.
