Anson Burlingame [ 蒲安臣 ] – His Legacy in US-China Relations

1. Anson Burlingame [蒲安臣] – His Legacy in US-China Relations By David T. Chai, President ChineseAmericanHeroes.org

2. Outline Who Is Anson Burlingame? Conditions in China & US Around 1860’s Burlingame’s Contributions While in China Burlingame’s Contributions While in the US Burlingame’s Contributions While in Europe Revoking Burlingame Treaty to pass Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 Burlingame’s Legacy How to Honor His Legacy? Anson Burlingame's Legacy

3. Who is Anson Burlingame? • Born in New Berlin, NY 11/14/1820 • Graduated from the U. of Michigan &Harvard Law School • MA State Senator, 1853-54 • US Congressman from MA, 1855-61 • US Envoy to China, 1861-67 • Chinese Envoy to US, 1867-68 • Chinese Envoy to Europe, 1868-70 • Died in St. Petersburg, Russia, 2/23/1870 • Royal Decree from Emperor Tongzhi of China, 4/10/70 • Awarded posthumously Civil-Rank #1 [= Prime Minister] • Awarded 10,000 liang [= 500 kg] silver to his family Anson Burlingame's Legacy

4. Royal Decree from Emperor Tongzhi • The Royal Decree • The Royal Seal • The Text • Civilian Rank 1 • 10,000 liang silver Anson Burlingame's Legacy

5. Conditions in China – 1840’s-1860’s • Lost First Opium War to United Kingdom, 1839-42 Nanjing Treaty • Opened 5 ports to opium trade & extra territoriality • Ceded Hong Kong to United Kingdom • Gigantic war indemnity of 21 million silver dollars [~1M kg] • Huge humiliation to a proud civilization • Lost Second Opium War to United Kingdom and France, 1856-60 Beijing Treaty • Opened additional 11 ports for trade, including opium • Burned and looted Summer Palace in Beijing • Provided foreign legations in Beijing with extra territoriality • Allowed indentured coolies to North America • Caused internal chaos and instability • Taiping Rebellion [太平天囯,洪秀全] , 1850-64 Anson Burlingame's Legacy

6. Conditions in China --- Humiliated Carved up Addicted Chaos Anson Burlingame's Legacy

7. Conditions in the US – 1840’s-1860’s • Continued westward expansion with new territories & states • Not to be left behind, signed Wangxia Treaty [中美望廈條約] with China, 1844 [under Pres. Tyler] • Got the same privileges as United Kingdom thru Most-Favored-Nation • However, chose not to legalize opium trade [on paper] • Slavery became critical issues • Elected Lincoln as president, 1860 • Secession of Southern states • Civil War, 1861-65 • Reconciliation and reconstruction Anson Burlingame's Legacy

8. Conditions in the US --- Gold Rush Sacramento-San Joaquin levees Lincoln Elected Continental RR Civil War Lincoln Assassinated Reconstruction Anson Burlingame's Legacy

9. AB’s Contributions As US Envoyto China • Developed a “Cooperative Policy” over existing “Concession Doctrine” • Advocated China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity • Gave the treaty a fair and Christian construction • Promoted trade with technology transfers • Encouraged Chinese students to study in the US • Demonstrated “equality of men” thru his own court • Accepted witness testimonies of local Chinese • Convicted David Williams, a white American, to be executed for killing three Chinese men Anson Burlingame's Legacy

10. AB’s Contributions As Chinese Envoy to the US • Spoke favorably of China as a trade nation • Negotiated first “equal” treaty with US, 1868 – the Burlingame Treaty [aka Burlingame-Seward Treaty] • Accept China as an equal Most-Favored-Nation [MFN] • Not interfere with internal affairs of either nation • Open two-way unlimited immigration • Free to reside, travel& study in either nation First Chinese Education Mission to US in 1872 • Met Pres. Johnson with his Chinese envoys – Zhigang [志刚]and Sun Jiagu [孙家谷] Anson Burlingame's Legacy

11. AB’s Contributions As Chinese Envoy to the European Nations • Selling his “model” Burlingame Treaty to: • United Kingdom – Queen Victoria • France – Emperor Napoleon III • Prussia – King William • Russia – Tsar Alexander II • Introduced Zhigang and Sun Jiagu to European leaders • Died in St. Petersburg while serving as Chinese envoy • Continued by Zhigang and Sun Jiagu after AB’s death: • Total of 11 countries over 2 years & 8 months Anson Burlingame's Legacy

12. The Burlingame Mission AB Mission Pres. Johnson Napoleon III Niagara Falls At dinner Thanksgivingdinner

13. Revoking the Burlingame Treaty • Construction during/after Civil War needed more cheap labor: • Welcomed Chinese immigration • Recession after reconstruction needed less labor: • Rounded up Chinese & drove them out • Tried to stop immigration from China • Pres. Hayes vetoed “Fifteen Passenger” bill in 1879 • Would have violated free immigration in Burlingame Treaty • Would have nullified a treaty with a friendly nation - MFN • Pres. Hayes sent James Angell to China in 1880, to renegotiate the Burlingame Treaty • Suspend, but not prohibit, Chinese immigration • Reaffirm MFN privileges for Chinese residents in US • Oblige US government to protect all MFN privileges Anson Burlingame's Legacy

14. Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 --A Dark Period of US-China Relations • Passed by Congress and signed by Pres. Arthur • Suspended Chinese immigration for 10 years to 1892 • Required identification card for Chinese workers • China immediately recalled its Education Mission • Scott Act of 1888 • Prevented re-entry of Chinese after visiting China • Geary Act of 1892 • Extended Chinese Exclusion Act for 10 years to 1902 • Barred Chinese from bearing witness in court • Prevented them from receiving bail in trials • In 1902, extended Chinese Exclusion Act indefinitely • Finally repealed in 1943 after Pearl Harbor bombing Anson Burlingame's Legacy

15. Anson Burlingame’s Legacy • A renaissance man ahead of his times • Principled in the “Equality of Men” and the “Equality of Nations” • Advocated anti-slavery at home [in US] • Developed “Cooperative Policy” abroad [in China] • Practiced “soft power” thru persuasion over “hard power” thru guns • A world-diplomat • From the youngest nation serving the oldest nation • A quote from Mark Twain: • For he had outgrown the narrow citizenship of a state and become a citizen of the world; and his charity was large enough and his great heart warm enough to feel for all its races and to labor for them. He was a good man, and a very, very great man. America lost a son, and all the world a servant, when he died. Anson Burlingame's Legacy

16. How to Recognize AB’s Legacy? • Let the world know about Anson Burlingame • Encourage more publications and talks about his contributions • Invest in film/movie documentations • Organize conferences to debate on improving US-China relations • Strategic partner Vs. economic competitor • Cooperation Vs. containment • Soft Vs. hard power • Create an Anson Burlingame Award • Initially for best American for improving US-China relations • Later for best person for improving Asia-Pacific region • Lobby to rename the San Francisco International Airport the Anson Burlingame International Airport Anson Burlingame's Legacy

17. Let’s Learn from Mr. Santayana“Those who cannot rememberthe past are condemned torepeat it.”George Santayana, 1905 Anson Burlingame's Legacy

18. Thank You Additional info: www.Burlingame.wikispaces.com Anson Burlingame's Legacy