The China History Podcast Ep. 365 | Anson Burlingame, the 1868 Treaty, and the Open Door Policy
May 28, 2025
Join a journey through the life of Anson Burlingame, an influential figure in reshaping U.S.-China relations in the 1860s. Discover his passionate advocacy for equal sovereignty for China after the opium wars. Learn about the groundbreaking treaty he championed that paved the way for legal Chinese immigration. Explore the challenges this treaty faced from European powers and how it eventually influenced the prejudices leading to the Chinese Exclusion Act. Reflect on the legacy of Burlingame's vision for mutual respect amidst shifting diplomatic tides.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Burlingame Advocated Fair China Relations
- Anson Burlingame sympathized with China and opposed coercive foreign policies post-Opium Wars.
- He advocated for cooperative relations and reform support to stabilize China and preserve its sovereignty.
Four B's Supported Chinese Sovereignty
- The "Four B's" group advocated for respecting China's territorial integrity and conciliation over coercion.
- They encouraged treaty powers to help guide China's entrance into the modern world respectfully.
Burlingame Became Qing Envoy
- Burlingame resigned U.S. minister post to become Qing envoy to the West, a rare foreign appointment.
- Prince Gong and Empress Dowager Cixi approved Burlingame to champion China's case in the treaty powers' capitals.