Exchange Database

First American Protestant Missionaries Arrived in China

The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, one of the earliest missionary organizations of the United States, sent the first two American missionaries to China, the Reverends Elijah Bridgman and David Abeel. They reached Guangzhou in February of 1830.
Outcomes: 
Bridgman was one of the first Americans to undertake the study of China’s history and culture, and also wrote a Chinese language history of the United States.
Contact Info: 
U.S. Department of State
Government?: 
No
Type of Exchange: 
civic
culture
Partners: 
The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions
Sponsor(s): 
The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions
Participants (Types): 
American missionaries
Exchange Date: 
Monday, February 1, 1830
Continuing: 
No
Location: 
Guangzhou (Canton)
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Commission Report

Polls show Americans and Chinese are becoming less trustful of each other’s country. The Commission assesses the problem and offers recommendations to foster greater U.S.-China collaboration and understanding.

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