China financed the American Revolution, unknowingly

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