The Poppy War draws from the cultural atmosphere of the Song Dynasty and the events of the Opium Wars and Second Sino-Japanese War.

Emperor Taizu founded the Song Dynasty in 960; it lasted until 1279. The Song Dynasty saw a flourishing of architecture, mathematics, art, philosophy, and astronomical, military, and literary inventions. China had complex social organization and contained several of the most populous cities in the world during this period. Leaders implemented an examination system for civil professions which, like The Poppy War’s Keju, theoretically allowed for greater meritocracy, social mobility, and equality. Religion largely consisted of Taoism, Buddhism, ancestral spirit worship, and folk religions. There was also a proliferation of smaller ethnic and religious groups, such as Southwest Asian Muslims, Kaifeng Jews, and Persian Manicheans.

The First Opium War was fought from 1839 to 1842 between China and Britain. China wanted to stop the illegal opium trade run by British traders via India. Widespread opium addiction in China had led to social deterioration. Tensions escalated and various armed conflicts ensued; when a peace treaty was settled, China had to cede Hong Kong to the British, add more trading ports for British traders, and pay Britain a large fee.