The Declaration of Independence of 1776 began the American Revolution officially. At the same time, money became the most pressing issue confronting General George Washington. Raising a revolutionary army called for heavy financing. It was no accident that China trade turned out to be so magnetic to a struggling new-born America.
The Qing court in Peking (Beijing) had no idea what the American Revolution was about. Virtually, no Chinese cared. But, they cared about the astonishing range of exotic merchandise coming from a distant corner of the world known as America. Chinese paid silver coins for America's seal skins, otter pelts, sandalwood, sea cucumbers, and ginseng. Yes, Chinese have a long history of consuming American ginseng.
In a land of rule rather than law, kickbacks and downright bribes were expected and practiced to grease the hands that moved the foreign trade along. Local Qing officials were as complicit as their American visitors when and where their "mutual benefits" were concerned.
Between 1783 and the early 1800s, America's coffers saw a steady in-flow of Chinese silver coins. Then, America enjoyed impressive trade surpluses that helped tide it over until brighter days were on the horizon. Silver coins shine, don't they?
Like it or not, the love-hate relationship between America and China practically began with the American Revolution.
The Declaration of Independence of 1776 began the American Revolution officially. At the same time, money became the most pressing issue confronting General George Washington. Raising a revolutionary army called for heavy financing. It was no accident that China trade turned out to be so magnetic to a struggling new-born America.
The Qing court in Peking (Beijing) had no idea what the American Revolution was about. Virtually, no Chinese cared. But, they cared about the astonishing range of exotic merchandise coming from a distant corner of the world known as America. Chinese paid silver coins for America's seal skins, otter pelts, sandalwood, sea cucumbers, and ginseng. Yes, Chinese have a long history of consuming American ginseng.
In a land of rule rather than law, kickbacks and downright bribes were expected and practiced to grease the hands that moved the foreign trade along. Local Qing officials were as complicit as their American visitors when and where their "mutual benefits" were concerned.
Between 1783 and the early 1800s, America's coffers saw a steady in-flow of Chinese silver coins. Then, America enjoyed impressive trade surpluses that helped tide it over until brighter days were on the horizon. Silver coins shine, don't they?
Like it or not, the love-hate relationship between America and China practically began with the American Revolution.
Author: renqiulan
改开后，尤其中国加入世贸后
中国的廉价日用品倾销美国，资助中国人民在耕地上盖了很多楼
微软产品在中国畅销，资助美国人民诞生了GPT
特斯拉车在中国畅销，资助美国人民诞生了星链和龙飞船
George Washington's collection of chinaware.
then you might have left quite a few gaps unbridged. A more detailed background story will help.
从华盛顿到格林将军（Nathanael Greene）到拉法叶特（ Marquis de La Fayette）都不得不自掏腰包付军饷。真不知道跟中国贸易与独立战争关系，谢谢小R
free trade is not finance.
(发自我的文学城离线浏览器)
Thank you Sycamore, I believe Shuxiang will be great again. Ha ha ....
我相当吃惊：美国与华当时的贸易居然是大顺差，得到白银。美国那些换银子的“土特产品”能够大量供应和长期持续吗？
我提这个问题是因为与此同时，欧洲与华贸易却是大逆差。天朝的茶叶、瓷器等换来大量的白银，而欧洲的东西天朝什么都不需要。当时欧洲人做贸易比美国人老道，他们为什么不向美国学，弄点儿山货过去平衡贸易呢？实际情况是欧洲一筹莫展，几十年间白银流出无数。英国受不了了，才出招搞有鸦片贸易，进而有了后来的鸦片战争。