Battles & Campaigns · 1844
Treaty of Wangxia
Kun Iam Temple, Macau
What happened
Caleb Cushing for the United States and Viceroy Qiying (Keying) for Qing China signed the treaty. After Britain's victory in the First Opium War, the United States wanted the same trading rights. At a stone table in the garden of the Kun Iam Temple in Macau, the two sides signed a treaty. It opened five ports to American trade and said Americans in China would be judged by American officials.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first of the 'unequal treaties' between the United States and China. It also overturned a ban on foreigners learning Chinese.
What came next
Its special rights for Americans lasted until 1943.
Did you know?
The temple's current buildings date from 1627, though it was founded centuries earlier.
Timeline
- 1842Treaty of Nanking.
- 3 July 1844The Treaty of Wangxia is signed.
- 1943The United States gives up its special legal rights in China.