Why did Li Hongzhang sternly refuse to enter the western United States when he visited the United States?

1896 is a strange year. If you have to name it, why not? What year is Li Hongzhang? . With Li Hongzhang's trip to Europe and America, there was a wave in Europe and America? Oriental craze? Or call? Li Hongzhang is hot? .

This upsurge reached an unprecedented level from the end of August to the beginning of September of that year. Because Li Hongzhang set foot on American soil on August 28th, he started a 10 day visit.

At that time, the United States was like the rising sun, although it was not comparable to traditional powers such as Britain and France. Qing dynasty, a sunset empire. So AD 1896, Morning sun and sunset? It is so wonderfully intertwined. Looking back now, I can still feel the uniqueness and chic at that time.

For example, many people mistakenly think that Li Hongzhang is the boss of the Qing Empire because of their ignorance of the Qing Dynasty. Therefore, many newspapers and periodicals have titles such as "Li Hongzhang, President of the Qing Dynasty, visited the United States" or "Li Hongzhang, Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, visited the United States".

Have a little knowledge, its? Pattern? It is jaw-dropping, and there is also a sentence "Cixi marries Emperor Li Hongzhang". Use this? Title? Newspapers, in all fairness, should know more about the Qing Empire? At least everyone knows that besides Li Hongzhang, there is also a powerful figure named Cixi.

I'm afraid people will laugh at these headlines nowadays. But in A.D. 1896, they were all serious.

It is not terrible to make jokes because you don't understand, and it can even be a good opportunity. But I am afraid of refusing to understand, or even maliciously distorting! Once this happens, whoever it is will be crucified. A pillar of shame in history? Above.

Second, Li Hongzhang's praise and bombardment.

With the beginning of Li Hongzhang's visit, what are people interested in Li Hongzhang? President or emperor? In terms of identity confirmation, it quickly shifted to other issues. For example, I study Li Hongzhang's food. Governor Li's dinner includes bird's nest soup, grilled fish, shark's fin and rice, and a glass of light wine? .

This is an obvious progress, confirming that Li Hongzhang is the governor. But what is this? Bird's nest, shark's fin? It means I don't understand.

At the same time, I am full of curiosity about the freshness brought by Li Hongzhang. A large amount of snow water sealed with Tianshan pottery jar is specially used for making tea for plum. The rest are sweet-scented osmanthus eggs specially made by the imperial court, all kinds of strange, can't be listed? .

However, the real climax of Li Hongzhang's visit to the United States came from his interview with The New York Times. In this interview, Li Hongzhang praised his skyscrapers and elevators. The most important topic was Li Hongzhang? Shelling? Chinese Exclusion Act.

Let me briefly talk about the Chinese Exclusion Act.

With the western United States? Gold rush? At the beginning, Chinese workers set foot in the west. But unfortunately, more can only serve as the bottom labor force. For example, the famous Downer Tunnel, with a total length of 1695 feet, was built by more than 9,000 China workers with simple tools such as picks, shovels and hammers for nearly a year.

The hard work of China workers won a good reputation, but it also squeezed the employment opportunities of local people and some westerners. So 1852, California passed? Foreign miner license tax law? This marks the beginning of discrimination against workers in China.

Then 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act and began to deprive Chinese workers of their legal rights. As a result, violent incidents against Chinese workers have emerged one after another. For example, 65438+September 0885? Shiquancheng massacre? More than 20 China workers were killed.

It is against this background that Li Hongzhang said in an interview with The New York Times: The Chinese Exclusion Act is the most unfair bill? Hate Chinese workers, because Chinese workers are more virtuous? Let me ask a simple question: What's good for you to exclude cheap China workers?

Then I appealed to the media: I expect newspapers to help China immigrants get fair treatment. I know that newspapers have a great influence on your sister. I hope that the whole publishing industry can help promote the abolition of the Chinese Exclusion Act, or at least make a strong amendment.

(Note: This notorious Chinese Exclusion Act was not abolished until AD19431February 7 17, which was the most intense time of World War II. There is a simple reason. Roosevelt needed China to contain fascist Japan in the eastern battlefield. )

Third, the strict refusal to enter the West.

Facing Li Hongzhang? Shelling? The New York Times can only translate the record truthfully and then ask a question:? When you returned to China, why did you choose to cross Canada instead of entering the west of China? Is it related to the fact that most workers in China are in the West? ?

Li Hongzhang said:? There are two reasons for not entering your west! ? Later, Li Hongzhang explained that although he said a lot, in a nutshell, these are the two points.

First, Li Hongzhang has long heard about the experience of Chinese workers in the West, and has also received many letters for help. Therefore, I choose not to enter. First of all, I protest. Secondly, there is nothing I can do to help and avoid the embarrassment of meeting workers in China.

Second, I am too old to stand fatigue, and the journey from Vancouver to Yokohama is even shorter.

The first reason actually represents the embarrassment and helplessness of the Qing court. A weak country has no diplomacy. Li Hongzhang is hot? No matter how hot the heat wave is, it can't solve the real problem. This is a great sadness and a great irony.

The second reason represents his own embarrassment and helplessness, like? Sunset Empire, Qing Dynasty? Similarly, Li Hongzhang himself is also the setting sun.

Therefore, Li Hongzhang can only defend the Qing court and his dignity by refusing western entry and bombardment with harsh words and harsh words. Although it looks tough on the surface, it is actually very sad. Although everything seems satisfactory on the surface, it is useless in fact!

History cannot be forgotten. Now that we stand up straight, we should actually look back at this terrible time. It should be noted that a strong country can make people have self-esteem, which has always been an iron law!