1868

Burlingame Treaty was the first equal treaty between the U.S. and China.

Granting China most favored nation status, the Burlingame-Seward Treaty formally established friendly ties between China and the United States. The Treaty advocated equal treatment of China and a welcoming stance toward Chinese immigrants.

This Treaty also opened the door for Chinese laborers to immigrate to the U.S. During economic depression, white laborers blamed cheap Chinese laborers for their unemployment. Congress amended The Burlingame Treaty and in its place, The Chinese Exclusion Act was passed in 1882.

「蒲安臣條約」又稱「中美天津條約續增條約」，是1868年清朝與美國簽訂的第一個平等條約。在該條約中，美國給與中國最惠國待遇。「蒲安臣條約」的簽訂使得美國成為中國派遣留學生的首選國。1872年，第一批中國幼童乘船前往美國，從此掀開了中國公派留學生前往美國學習的第一頁。

此條約也為中國勞工移民美國敞開了大門。不過由於經濟不景氣，美國國內對華工激烈排斥，美國國會在1880年修改了「蒲安臣條約」，又在1882年通過了「排華法案」。