The historical significance of the Treaty of Nanking, signed in 1842, lies in its role in establishing the framework for British imperial influence in China. It concluded the First Opium War and forced China to cede Hong Kong to Britain, opening up five ports for trade and granting extraterritorial rights to British citizens. This unequal treaty marked the beginning of a series of foreign interventions and further weakened the Qing dynasty. It also led to widespread discontent in China, contributing to internal strife and the eventual push for modernization and reform.