Browse Exhibits (12 total)

The influence that China and the rest of trade had on Salem was significant to the growth of the city as one of the world biggest seaports. According to historians because of this trade it became very wealthy and they talk about it by saying “Salem’s hugely profitable trade with the Orient transformed this hardscrabble New England seaport into a global powerhouse and, by the early 1800s, then wealthiest city per capita in the United States.” (Stewart,2004) Through this trade the exchange of goods came from this. Some of the goods that came from this trade are tea, spices, silk, ideas, religious views, art, and toys. This trade built up the culture and status of Salem in the world as a place to visit and live in. The art trade was huge in the Salem because of the interest and designs they did into cloth and paper. They state this by saying “In addition to maritime art, its vast holdings of Chinese, Korean, Japanese and South Asian art span five centuries.” (Stewart,2004) They also have an interest in their weaponry they used and the clothing they wore in Asia. The reason why they were intrigued and collected theses as valuable was because it was different than what they wore and had. They also saw them as art and a collection piece to show off because of the detail that goes into something that they wear and used to fight or was a ceremonial piece. The talk about this in the article by stating “They considered them to be physical embodiments of knowledge about the world—pieces of information.” Of course, what lured these men into uncharted, often hostile waters halfway around the world in 100-foot ships wasn’t intellectual curiosity but dreams of riches.” (Stewart,2004) The trade with China and Asia lead to a lot of Chinese and other Asian inspired places to open. The food places that opened brought in Asian inspired dishes but incorporated Americans flavors and food products into them to give them an experience of food that blended the spices and taste of Asia with the food the Americans at the time liked to eat. Some of these places withstand the test of time and are still open today and paved the way for other places to open. This is how the trade with China and Asia had an influence on Salem, Massachusetts.