蒲安臣使团再认识

Recognition of Anson Burlingame Mission

蒲安臣是一位绝无仅有的既担任过美国驻华公使又担任中国首位使节的美国人。对于蒲安臣以及蒲安臣使团,以往一些学者从阶级斗争的角度予以批判。然从新史料中发掘新意,对蒲安臣使团应予以新的认识和评价——蒲安臣在中国近代史上具有一定积极意义:它促进了西方国家对中国的了解,沟通了中西间交流和往来;促使了中国传统礼仪制度向近代外交礼仪制度的转变;也为清政府赢得了十几年的太平岁月。

Anson Burlingame is a unique person who served as not only American minister to China but also the first Chinese envoy.In the past,some scholars criticized Anson Burlingame and Anson Burlingame mission from the perspective of class struggle.However,it should give a new evaluation on Anson Burlingame mission from the new historical materials——Anson Burlingame mission has a positive significance in modern Chinese history.It promotes Western countries＇ understanding of China and the communication between Chinese and Western countries;it promotes the change of Chinese etiquette system from traditional to modern;it also wins ten years of peace for the Qing government.