Ambassador Hu Shi And American Perceptions Of China During World War ?

This paper explores the relationship between American socio-cultural views of Asia and the Chinese Ambassador during World War ?,Hu Shi.The American public held a particular conception of China and Asia which shaped its stance towards Japanese aggression in Asia,its willingness to aid Chinese war efforts and its actions once war began.Hu Shi believed the key to American foreign policy was American public opinion and engaged in a national speaking tour,numerous visits to universities across the United States and media in order to shape public opinion to be more sympathetic towards China's plight.These efforts sometimes led Hu Shi to be labeled as self-interested within China but gained him widespread respect among both the American media and public.This paper first analyses what factors determine American public opinion regarding foreign affairs and foreign countries before examining public opinion towards China and Asians specifically,finding that racism formed a foundational role in determining American opinions towards World War II and China.The paper then examines Hu Shi's activities in America,especially his relationship with the media and the public through his writing and speeches.Finally,the paper discusses whether Hu Shi was able to shift American attitudes on China.Of course,one foreign official alone could not have shifted the historical discourse by himself,but Hu Shi played an important role in beginning the process of chipping away at the racial discourse that had dominated American views on Asia since its founding.