On Causes of Opium Overflow and Its Influence in Sichuan in Period of Republic of China

Opium became a disaster in Sichuan. Since late Qing Dynasty to Republic of China, the overflow of opium in Sichuan had reached its peak. In the period of defense area, warlords fought against each other, and opium taxes had the biggest contribution to much military expenditure. Under the pressure to plant opium from warlords and local officials, both red and white opium flowers were growing in most fields. The high taxes and the use of opium greatly influenced the quality of people’s living standard and health in Sichuan. Even in opium banning period of JIANG Jie-shi, the opium planting and overflowing were still quite universal.