The United States in 1784, Essay Example

United States history is interesting because of the unique culture that Americans have formed as a result of interactions with other countries and acceptance of the traditions of their people. Since its founding, America has aimed to accept many different types of people and learn what it could about them in order to make the country progress. Even though the United States adopted a generally isolationist policy prior to World War II, it still attempted to contact other nations to initiate trade and gain new ideas. One of the most important contacts that the United States made with foreign countries was to China due to its geographic location. Because of its access to sea trade, land trade routes were established in China to bring it good from all across Europe and Asia. In addition, it was found that China had many products of its own that were considered valuable to the United States. Therefore, interactions between the United States and China are an important part of American history.

China began its communication with the United States in 1784 when the first ship sailed from the United States for this purpose. At this point, the United States had already traded with China at Guangzhou through Chinese merchants. However, the country wished to contact the nation itself to encourage diplomatic relations. While the ship commanded by Samuel Shaw was not able to gain official recognition from the Chinese government, it did enhance the trade of tea, porcelain, and silk. One year later, the first ship from China arrived in the United States for purposes of trade. Although relations between the two countries were not officially established, this showed a want and need for goods to be exchanged between the two nations.

The contact between the United States and China increased significantly in 1830 when the first American Protestant missionaries landed in the country. This was important because it facilitated the exchange of ideas between the Chinese and the Americans. For the first time, scholars tried to understand the Chinese culture and language and in return these efforts taught the Chinese about America. The events that occurred in 1847 were an important consequence of this as well. The first ship carrying Chinese laborers, called “coolies”, arrived in Cuba, which prompted the United States to allow the laborers to enter the United States for freedom. When the gold rush broke out two years later, even more laborers came to the country. This is important because it was one of the first Chinese immigrant populations.

These events are important to my life because they caused the beginning of a series of continued relations between the United States and China. The fact that this initial immigrant population came to the United States and was able to profit from the work available in the country helped establish the United States as a viable option for moving. This is important to me because as a Chinese American, I would not be in this country today if these events did not improve the relations between the United States and China. From the study of the history of the communications between these two countries, I’m happy that both countries have been able to gain a greater understanding of each other which has led to collaborations that benefitted both peoples.

This history is also important to my life because as a Chinese student living in America, I notice that there is continued communication between the United States and China that has become a necessary part of life. When people go shopping a look at a lot of the products in the store, they will find that the product has been made in China, but likely distributed through efforts in the United States. In this way, United States companies are able to make products cheaply, while benefitting the economy of China. The initial communications between China and the United States has evolved in a way that allows the two countries to continue to collaborate and benefit from one another.

A third reason that I think the initial contact between the United States and China is important to my life and the life of Americans in general is the rich culture that China has to offer. Before establishing this contact, no Americans had knowledge of the Chinese language or an understanding of the Chinese way of life. Because Americans know about these things now, they are able to integrate ancient Chinese philosophies into the way they thing and behave and this serves as a way to help people express themselves in a unique manner. An introduction of Chinese philosophy and religion into American culture has convinced many scholars to study the importance of these philosophies and allow them to be looked upon with a new viewpoint. It is important to approach philosophies with different sets of beliefs because it will allow people to notice new things about them. Ultimately, Chinese culture is very integrated into American society at this point and it is all thanks to the initial contact between the United States and China in the 1700s and 1800s.