History The Opium Wars Questions Medium
During the Opium Wars, the diplomatic negotiations between China and the United States were primarily focused on trade and the protection of American interests in China. The United States, like other Western powers, sought to establish favorable trade relations with China and secure access to its markets. However, China's restrictive trade policies and resistance to foreign influence posed challenges for American merchants.
In 1844, the United States and China signed the Treaty of Wanghia, which was the first formal diplomatic agreement between the two countries. This treaty granted the United States the status of "most favored nation," ensuring that American traders would receive the same privileges and benefits as those granted to other foreign powers. It also established consular rights for American officials in China, providing them with legal protection and jurisdiction over American citizens.
During the Second Opium War (1856-1860), the United States played a more active role in the negotiations. American diplomats, led by Anson Burlingame, participated in the Treaty of Tientsin in 1858. This treaty further expanded American trade rights in China, allowing for the establishment of additional treaty ports and the opening of more regions for foreign commerce. It also granted extraterritoriality to American citizens, exempting them from Chinese laws and placing them under the jurisdiction of their own consular courts.
Furthermore, the Treaty of Tientsin included provisions for the legalization of the opium trade, which had been a major point of contention between China and Western powers. This aspect of the negotiations reflected the growing influence of Western powers and their economic interests in China.
Overall, the diplomatic negotiations between China and the United States during the Opium Wars were centered on securing favorable trade conditions, protecting American interests, and expanding Western influence in China. These negotiations played a significant role in shaping the unequal treaties that ultimately weakened China's sovereignty and contributed to its eventual decline.