Chinese History Through Literature
The country of China is one of the worlds oldest and for many centuries the country went heavily unchanged although the power moved from one familial dynasty to another. By 1919, the population of China was fundamentally fed up by the oppressive government and demanded reforms. The attempts made by the last emperor were too little too late and by October of that year, the rebellion of the masses led to the complete overthrow of the government. By the 1940s, this government too had failed to do right by the people and another rebellion, this one by Communists took control of China. Following the introduction of Communism and the overtaking of the government by Chairman Mao Zedong and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), China became a nation controlled by a totalitarian government. Even in the modern time, the people of China are still heavily monitored and controlled…...

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Works Cited:

Esherick, Joseph. Ancestral Leaves: A Family Journey through Chinese History. Berkeley:

University of California, 2011. Print.

Harrison, Henrietta. The Man Awakened from Dreams: One Man's Life in a North China Village,

1857-1942. Stanford, CA: Stanford UP, 2005. Print.

Chinese History 1100-1500
The Yuan Dynasty only lasted for a little less than a century in China, but has captured the imagination of western historians mainly because it was during this period of Mongol ascendancy that China was first "discovered" by Europe. In part this was a natural consequence of the Mongol invasions, which would extend out of Asia into eastern Europe, sacking the German city of Breslau in 1241 and advancing towards Vienna until news of the death of Ogedei Khan (who was himself the designated political heir of Genghis Khan) leading ultimately to Mongol withdrawal from Europe. To a certain degree, the establishment thirty years later of the Mongol-run Yuan Dynasty in China by Genghis Khan's grandson Kublai represented part of the larger geopolitical effects across all Asian and Europe resulting from the Mongol's establishment of the largest land-empire in history. But the idea of Europe's "discovery" of China…...

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Works Cited

Bergreen, Laurence. Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu. New York: Random House, 2008. Print.

Leslie, Donald Daniel. "Living with the Chinese: The Muslim Experience in China, T'ang to Ming." In Le Blanc, Charles and Blader, Susan. Chinese Ideas About Nature and Society: Studies in Honour of Derk Bodde. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 1987. Print.

Polo, Marco. The Travels. Translated by Ronald Latham. New York: Penguin Classics, 1958. Print.

Wood, Frances. Did Marco Polo Go To China? London: Westview Press, 1998. Print.

The usual rebellions broke out, sweeping a Chinese of most humble origins into the seat of highest power. In 1368 the Mongol dynasty yielded its place to the native dynasty of the Ming.
NOTES

uxton L.H.D., China, the Land and the People, Oxford, 1929.

Cowan H.H., and Hall J.W., Outline History of China, New York, 1926.

Giles H.A., the Civilization of China, New York, 1911.

Williams E.T., a Short History of China, New York, 1928.

Werner ET.C., China of the Chinese, London, 1919.

Williams E.T., China: Yesterday and Today, New York, 1927.

Williams, 145

Cowan H.H., and Hall J.W., Outline History of China, New York, 1926.

Cameron Meribeth E., Mahoney Thomas H.D., and McReynolds George E., China, Japan and the Powers, New York, 1952.

Williams S.W., the Middle Kingdom, 2 vols., New York, 1891.

Giles, 452

Woodhead H.G.W., the China Year ook, Shanghai and London, 1912, and annually.

Chinese Ministry of Information, China Handbook, 1937-1943, New York, 1943.

ibliography

uxton L.H.D., China, the Land and…...

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Bibliography

Buxton L.H.D., China, the Land and the People, Oxford, 1929.

Cameron Meribeth E., Mahoney Thomas H.D., and McReynolds George E., China, Japan and the Powers, New York, 1952.

Chinese Ministry of Information, China Handbook, 1937-1943, New York, 1943.

Giles H.A., the Civilization of China, New York, 1911.

Chinese History
Discuss the features of a dynasty in decline and explain why the Sung Dynasty avoided the standard problems that plagued other dynasties before and after

The standard profile of a Chinese dynasty in decline, as exemplified first in the Five Dynasties that ruled China following the breakup of the Tang Empire in 907 as well as the dynasties that existed after the Sung surrendered to Mongol rule, was a state of internal and then of external dissolution. A dynasty in decline was often subject to an onslaught of outside foreign attacks, which caused its immediate termination. But this foreign attack was only effective after economic, internal dissolution had occurred between the powerful landowning classes and their enraged yet politically disenfranchised and ignored tenant peasants. At the court and city, a dynasty in decline was often marked by aristocratic rather than merit-based administration.

But the Sung Dynasty that ended the chaotic period…...

"In the period from the late Tang to the end of the Song there was an especially broad distribution of kiln sites and ware types, which supported local economies. International trade in export ceramics, mostly for household use, extended from Southeast Asia, India, and Africa to the Near East and to Japan, where Chinese tea bowls for monastic use were highly prized" (Thorp, and Vinograd 233).
Among the main reasons for which certain Chinese Dynasties expressed unwillingness about engaging in foreign affairs was the fact that leadership of the Empire was often disputed between groups in the country. ith civil warfare being one of their most significant concerns, leaders were less interested in spending money on maintain relationships with foreign countries. Many Chinese were underprivileged during such times, given that they were either deprived of their basic needs because they were required to engage in warfare, or because their leaders…...

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Works cited:

Benn, Charles Daily Life in Traditional China: The Tang Dynasty (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2002)

Pulleyblank, Edwin G. "The Roman Empire as Known to Han China," the Journal of the American Oriental Society 119.1 (1999)

Scott, Hugh the Golden Age of Chinese Art: The Lively T'ang Dynasty (Rutland, VT: Charles E. Tuttle, 1967)

Thorp, Robert L. And Vinograd, Richard Ellis Chinese Art & Culture (New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2001)

Chinese History
The Shang dynasty marked one of the earliest recorded periods of history in ancient China, for which substantial archeological evidence exists. Although Chinese culture did not necessarily flourish during the Shang, a system of writing was first developed, its characters etched on the so-called oracle bones. The Shang dynasty was a bronze-based society that extended from 1700 to 1027 BCE. The form of government practiced during the Shang was largely based on an alliance of numerous city-states, which would pledge their allegiance to the rulers in power. However, although there were ruling parties, there was no established capital city. Fluctuating political power meant that the capital city shifted continuously, depending on intergenerational or political need. Familial ties and hereditary decent were the main means of establishing succession; often male rulers would pass on their lineage to their younger brothers. Although life was by no means easy during the Shang…...

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Works Cited

Bary, Wm. Theodore, Chan, Wing-Tsit, and Watson, Burton (Eds.) Sources of Chinese Tradition. Vol. 1. New York: Columbia University Press, 1960.

'Chinese Dynasties." Crystal Links. Online at <  http://www.crystalinks.com/chinadynasties.html >.

"Shang Dynasty." Online at < http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/ancient_china/shang.html>.

He also wanted the hinese to realize that other socialist revolutions were occurring in European countries. He, for example, believed that Germany's defeat in WWI was caused not so much by Allied military prowess, as it was by the rise of German socialism. In order to make ommunism more palatable to the hinese, he tried to relate Marxist terms to the hinese experience. For example, he attempted to classify hina as also being composed of proletarians despite it not having ever implemented apitalism before. He attempted to do this by showing that the Western capitalist states had been exploiting hinese citizens much like the way they exploited their own working classes. With this and other unique interpretations of Marxist ideology, Li Dazhao encouraged his student followers to spread its message to the hinese people, particularly the peasant class. He thus worked diligently to gain widespread support for a ommunist…...

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Chinese History

Li Dazhao's enthusiasm about the Russian revolution stemmed from his belief that it heralded a new age of progress for mankind. He believed that the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution would pave the way for identical revolutions to occur around the world. These inevitable class struggles would break down national boundaries, thus uniting the working classes on a global scale. This massive unification would lead to the eradication of Capitalism, allowing true freedom and democracy to flourish. Property ownership would be forever abolished so that everyone would be able to receive a piece of the industrial pie. Finally, presidents and parliaments would be ousted in favor of labor union councils that would serve in the central government.

The consequences Li Dazhao anticipated for China was that it would learn from and emulate the Russian revolution. He wanted his countrymen to realize that Russia, which like China never fit the description of a capitalist state, was nonetheless successful in overthrowing its despotic rulers in favor of installing Communism. He also wanted the Chinese to realize that other socialist revolutions were occurring in European countries. He, for example, believed that Germany's defeat in WWI was caused not so much by Allied military prowess, as it was by the rise of German socialism. In order to make Communism more palatable to the Chinese, he tried to relate Marxist terms to the Chinese experience. For example, he attempted to classify China as also being composed of proletarians despite it not having ever implemented Capitalism before. He attempted to do this by showing that the Western capitalist states had been exploiting Chinese citizens much like the way they exploited their own working classes. With this and other unique interpretations of Marxist ideology, Li Dazhao encouraged his student followers to spread its message to the Chinese people, particularly the peasant class. He thus worked diligently to gain widespread support for a Communist revolution in China.

His fourth and final argument was in regard to how the post-revolutionary government was to be created. He argued that any vestiges of the old government had to first be removed. Then he emphasized that the new regime had to follow the American model.
Zou Rong's rhetorical strategies were used to achieve support for his arguments favoring revolution. It involved getting the people to become emotionally invested in it. For example, he asked his countrymen to ponder over whether the Yangzhou and Jiading massacres were really the only ones committed by the Manchus. He argued that it was quite possible for more massacres to have taken place throughout China, since the Manchus had unleashed their armies upon the land. Another question he asked his countrymen about was whether the people slaughtered by the Manchus were not their Han ancestors. If they were, and he asserts they were, he asked whether…...

The most important accomplishments of the Yangshao include silk production, the erection of walled cities, and unpainted pottery made on wheels. Unlike Yangshao pottery, Longshan creations were simple polished black but because of the use of the wheel their design and durability represent technological progress in neolithic China. The erection of packed earth city walls with moats surrounding some of them shows that Longshan society became more urban in character and in need of protection against nearby villages. Cities also suggest social hierarchies, role distinction and possibly income disparity. One of the hallmarks of Yangshao culture was the organized, systematic cultivation of silkworms for the production of one of the products that would soon characterize Chinese culture and economy.
The Shang represent one of the first known Chinese dynasties, and therefore demonstrate the step-by-step development of ancient Chinese society from more simple to more complex social, political, and economic structures.…...

These events may have happened in our history, but we are still feeling the effects unconsciously and consciously now. China is often in the news with regards to family size, family structure, parenting, eugenics, and birth control. These could be evidence of past cultural atrocities.
This is a graphic yet necessary read. There is a cultural fascination with men who come to power such as Mao Zedong or Adolf Hitler. It is useful to know what kind people these men were and understand their rise to power. Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. This book was enlightening about communism and Chinese culture. American culture in general turns its nose up to communism. We are instilled to hate communism and fight communism from spreading to our country. Hungry Ghosts offers an insider perspective to the reign of Mao Zedong. Survivors of his regime speak directly about…...

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References:

Becker, Jasper. Hungry Ghosts: Mao's Secret Famine. New York Free Press, NY, NY, 1996.

Sun Yat-sen commends the current commitment of the Empire to the education of Chinese individuals in estern languages and in technical crafts that have resulted in the improvement of the modern Chinese navy, but such education alone, with its still overly focused stress on the classics and Chinese inclusiveness is not enough to fully catapult China into the modern world.
Sun Yat-sen points to his unique ability to broach both estern and Chinese understanding, because of his education. His philosophy stresses the meshing the ideals of the modern estern sages with Chinese traditions to facilitate Chinese advancement. His advice seems reasonable to the modern ear. But all advice is reasonable in retrospect, of course, with the retrospective knowledge of Chinese history and the knowledge of the costs of Chinese intransigence and closure that eventually resulted in further conflicts with the est.

orks Cited

Spence, Jonathan and Michael Lestz. (Editors.) the Search for…...

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Works Cited

Spence, Jonathan and Michael Lestz. (Editors.) the Search for Modern China: A Documentary Collection. New York: Norton 1999.

This also shows how women became more active in the national political process, no matter their stance or beliefs. While the more traditional facts about communist China under Mao Zedong are explicated, there are some less horrific details about communist life of which the average American may not be aware. Sexual equality did grow. Food was distributed fairly. These are not the typical details of communist China we learn about in America.
Chang herself has several occupations as the story focuses upon her life and her struggles. She is a member of ed Guard at the age of 14. She works as a steelworker and an electrician. These kinds of positions are still considered unusual for women in American culture as well as in many other cultures around the world. During the Cultural evolution, there arose opportunities for women to progress socially and politically. This rings true for the Civil…...

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Reference:

Chang, Jung. Wild Swans. Anchor Books, 1992.

He wants readers to examine the behaviors of their minds and thoughts. We should practice observing how our minds behave so as to understand the nature of ourselves more deeply and accurately, but also to help us function through trauma as well as everyday life. Too often we are lost in our own thoughts; we do not take time to observe our thoughts outside of their content.
There are several stories of themes surrounding community and identity with or through community. This is a theme western readers may expect with literature from eastern cultures. While American culture is relatively more narcissistic and selfish, Chinese culture is more relatively selfless, and group oriented.

The titles of the stories are simple and some are quite poetic. Hsun's style is delicate and penetrates the reader's senses. It is a tribute to his ability that he is able to write such tender stories about such…...

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Reference:

Hsun, Lu. Selected Stories W.W. Norton & Company, New York, London, 1977.

Chinese History
There are a number of factors that contributed to the rise of the Mongols in China. Chief among these is that after the Mongols invaded China, they were able to establish strong political control over the area. This was an extension of the Mongol system of governance that had been utilized in many of the lands conquered by the Mongol empire. Marco Polo, who visited Khanbalik during the reign of Kublai Khan, described the system of governance that the Mongols had imposed on China. They "appointed twelve…barons to supervise all decisions concerning the movement of the armies…" Polo noted that this council led to a high quality of decision-making with respect to resource deployment, and allowed for a stronger overall military presence in China as a result. Polo also noted that this tactic allowed the military leaders to identify the stronger soldiers and units, and cull the weak from…...

Women throughout Chinese history have experienced the oppression their tradition and culture exert as well as the power only members of their sex can attain in their chosen domains. Although readers have been exposed to historical anecdotes relating foot binding and Man's superiority to women, there are also many stories relating their freedom and tenacity, whether they are wives, concubines, courtesans or prostitutes. The history of Chinese women is not necessarily limited to persecution and being dominated, it is also peppered with inspirational stories of women who have been able to find happiness, success and fulfillment within the parameters Chinese tradition and culture dictate.
In Chinese society, the positions women maintained were very indistinct (http://www.wm.edu/CAS/anthropology/faculty/hamada/Virtual_Classromm/wwwb.../208.htm,1)."In Chinese society, women as a category had a dependent status." (Watson, 1991, 232). efore a girl married, she was controlled completely by her father. After she married, this responsibility was transferred to her husband. If her…...

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Bibliography

Bennett, Natalie. (2001) Women of Emperial China: A Re-Examination. http://www.journ.freeserve.co.uk/china/china4.html

Burns, Dennis. (2002) The View From the Dragon's Lair. http://www.crystal-bridge.com/dennis0402.html

Jaschok, Maria. (1988) Concubines and Bondservants: The Social History of a Chinese Custom. London: Zed Press.

Jaschok, Maria & Miers, Suzanne (eds.) (1994) Women and Chinese Patriarchy. New Jersey: Hong Kong U.

I. Introduction
A. Background information on Mao Zedong
B. Thesis statement: Mao Zedong was a prominent Chinese political leader who played a significant role in shaping China's history.

II. Early Life and Rise to Power
A. Birth and upbringing in Shaoshan, Hunan province
B. Involvement in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
C. Participation in the Long March and establishment of Red Army

III. Mao's Leadership Style and Ideology
A. Introduction of Maoist ideology and Marxism-Leninism
B. Implementation of land reforms and collectivization
C. The Great Leap Forward and its impact on the Chinese economy

IV. Cultural Revolution
A. Launch of the Cultural Revolution
....

Mao Zedong's Rise to Power

Early Life and Ideology:

Born in 1893 to a peasant family in Hunan province
Studied at Beijing University, influenced by Marxism and socialism
Organized the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1921

Guomindang-CCP Alliance (1923-1927):

CCP allied with the Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) led by Chiang Kai-shek
Joined forces to defeat warlords and establish a unified China

Shanghai Massacre (1927):

Chiang Kai-shek turned against the CCP, leading to the Shanghai Massacre
CCP retreated to rural areas and began guerrilla warfare

Long March (1934-1936):

CCP forces led by Mao embarked on a 6,000-mile retreat from southern China to Shaanxi
Demonstrated the party's....