China has an extensive history that spans thousands of years and various dynasties. Each dynasty has made their own significant achievements which have contributed to the shaping of China. However, some historians believe that because China followed a "dynastic cycle" for so long, the society was unchanging and stagnant. But the fact of the matter is that China was actually undergoing massive changes within itself which would lead to the shaping of a new China.
To begin with, understanding what was happening in China that caused these changes is key. One thing that changed was the opinions of the educated on cultural festivals. These festivals were to "exorcise evil and bring good fortune" (SMCD 112). But in later years, these festivals began to attract thousands of people and participation
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increased.The educated eventually felt scorn from these festivals because they felt that these gatherings caused people to spend without care, disrupt work, promote gambling, and other kinds of vice. A scholar named Qian Long even stated that the people are "accustomed to these wicked spectacles and treat them as natural" (SMCD 112).
Similarly, another major change occurring within China was the adoption of the Christian faith. One of the first converts of the London Missionary Society was a man named Liang Fa. Liang Fa played a significant role in spreading the faith to potential converts by writing and distributing religious pamphlets and books in marketplaces. Liang Fa's book called Good Words to Exhort the Age was his most famous work because it directly influenced Hong Xiuquan, the future leader of the Taiping Rebellion. This rebellion's focus was to expel the Manchus and turn China into a Christian land. It was extremely bloody and the death toll was estimated to have "far exceeded that of the nearly contemporaneous American Civil War" (Wasserstrom 29). Another insurrection that occurred later was the Boxer Rebellion. This uprising was marked by a desire by the Boxers to rid China of Christianity, which they felt was the reason for the unfortunate events plaguing China. Large numbers of foreigners and Chinese Christians were killed and mass civil disorder occurred within
China. As a result, the government underwent serious reforms in economics, military, politics, education, and culture in order to keep stability in the country. Reforms in education specifically abolished the examination system for more western-style schools much to the dismay of Confucian scholars who had dedicated their lives to study of the classics. Confucian scholars like Liu Dapeng lost both their jobs and "all hope of holding government office" (Harrison 87). In conclusion, China went through a number of different dynasties that lasted for thousands of years. Each of these dynasties had their own significant accomplishments that helped to shape the country throughout its history. Even though China has held onto the "dynastic cycle" for such a long time, the nature of China has always been changing shown by the opinions of the educated on cultural festivals, and the various uprisings that took place.
Overall the Chinese from 100 CE to 600 CE was fulfilled with many cultural and political changes and continuities. The fall of the Han Dynasty brought political changes whereas the invention of paper brought about cultural changes. While there were a lot of changes, there were significant continuities, as well. Culturally, China saw Buddhism grow in power. Politically, they saw the wall of China go up as a way for their leader to protect them. Wither it was something changing or something that remained and grew, all of these things had a huge impact on China during this time period.
Despite the obstacles he faced, he was able to overcome them and become a much different person who had become the "master of his own opinions. " Liang was more upset that he spent "most of the time memorizing dogma." Liang began to research in search of himself, and through education, he was able to think outside of Maoist thought. We see that Liang grew to be happy; he found companionship and freedom. Liang and his wife were finally able to get married due to China being able to view the West more openly.
Schoenhals, Michael. China's Cultural Revolution, 1966-1969: Not a Dinner Party. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 1996. Print.
Buddhist popularity towards the Chinese grew following the collapse of the Han Dynasty in 220 C.E. It’s influence continued to expand for several centuries. Between 220 C.E. and 570 C.E., China experienced a period of political instability and disunity. During this time, many of the Chinese, specifically scholars, sought for peace in Buddhism and approved of Buddhism. On the other hand, the strict confucianists and the government fought to end Buddhism and make people go against it.
The Buddhist brought with them the concept of multiple gods and Buddha’s “spiritual state to provide the power for humans to make the transition into death and the afterlife successfully” (Corduan, 2012, p.410). Confucianism brought the obedience of the child to the parent into Chinese mainstream life, plus the “social stratification and codes governing dress, actions and communication” (Corduan, 2012, p.409). Taoism introduced the balance of forces in harmony in spirits in the form of yin and yang, thus creating that balance of nature and humans (Corduan, 2012). Christianity influenced Chinese life both socially and economically by introducing the concepts of “love for one’s neighbor, self-discipline, and trust” (Lu, 2014, p.2) as both essential and beneficial (Lu, 2014). All of these together with the traditional Chinese religion, give the Chinese culture it’s popular religion
In this book, David Aikman as a journalist and policy consultant was also a commentator and freelance writer. He was a Time Magazine correspondent in the 1970s. His book, Jesus in Beijing, introduces the reader to the changing of society and culture in China due to Chinese Christianity. Around 1998, his relationship with the church became very earnest as he grew intrigued on the topic of Chinese Christianity. Aikman then elaborates on his various travels to China as well as give background information on the influence of Chinese Christianity, and the involvement of the church. He gives his input on the Chinese church movement and its leaders. During the Cultural Revolution in the 1970s, the older generation of male leaders of the Chinese Christians was the brave defenders of their faith. Before communism swept the land, they rose up to fight for their faith. They have been so influential that the youth of the congregation shows the same dedication and zeal for their faith while upholding the relationship within the underground organization. The younger generation showed a wide variety of understanding of their religion. Before the Cultural Revolution, the attempts to stifle the efforts of the Chinese Christians just seemed to cause them to become even more determined to fight for their right to practice their theology. Aikman makes it seem as if the Chinese Christians are of the oppressed people because of their beliefs. He often glorifies the actions of the members, with little mentioning of the brute force used.
China is the story of a County that tried to contain their citizens from the outside world, tried to make the people work for basically no pay, set up inhuman laws, and other terrible deeds. But the scary thing is that they got away with it. The government is too powerful to be questioned and it will stay that until people find out about these . That is the only way China will be a fair and just country.
China, one of the countries that can boast of an ancient civilization, has a long mysterious
music. They felt that the 'Westernization of their music' would make it more modern. With the rise of popular music came a means of identification, and with that, regulations to control its effect on society as a whole. And finally, the blurring of boundaries between China and the rest of the world show the ever-changing nature of the music in China. Throughout China's modernization, as the country opened up to the West, the Chinese music scene slowly changed in terms of style, production, regulation, and distribution.
China is one of the word’s four ancient civilizations. “China has more than 5000 years of ancient Chinese history” (http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/china-history.htm). This includes all the Great dynasties, including three important ones. The Zhou dynasty, Ming dynasty, and the Manchu Qing dynasty. The Zhou dynasty is important because it helps us explain the Chinese concepts of the dynastic cycle of the mandate of heaven, and because of this it helps us explain the fall of the brilliant Ming dynasty to the Manchu Qing. These three dynasties are important to our history because of this.
China is rapidly becoming a prominent country within the global community. With its capitalist economy, China has grown from a third-world country to a modernized center of industry. In spite of economic freedom, the Chinese people do not have the equally important social freedoms enjoyed by citizens of other global powers. Social movements such as religious growth, especially Christian expansion, are strongly scrutinized by the Chinese government because it believes it will undermine the current ruling party and Chinese society. Contrary to this opinion, the growth of Christianity in China is more likely to increase the degree of stability in Chinese society.
China has a very long and interesting history. It is one of the only places on earth that there has not been colonization, and has had no major regime change in recent history. The country’s history and tradition has had a lasting effect on its political behavior. However history does not determine the future and socially and economically China has been developing at a rapid rate. I believe that China will become more a more free state in the future, because of the country’s increasing GDP, and its increasing civil culture. However, I do not believe Rowan’s writing was a persuasive argument.
... history, never to leave it spot. China has shape itself to what it is today because of religion, whether people tend to believe it or not. When it comes to very roots of Chinese tradition, Religion is what started a majority of them .
China's development is praised by the whole world. Its developments are not only in the economic aspect, but also in its foreign affairs. Compared to other developed countries, China is a relatively young country. It began constructing itself in 1949. After 30 years of growth, company ownership has experienced unprecedented changes.
Many conflicts have happened in the past, and still happen today. Such as when the Great Wall of China was destroyed the two countries forever have conflict. Some of things are never forgotten. For example Israel still hasn’t forgotten a certain war from thousands of years back. You can upset people preety easy, and it's not good to try. China might have a lot of pollution, a good good eductcational, and a great colorful history, but it doesn't change the fact is that their the same as everybody eles. And everybody can have the same problems so laern from other people mistakes, or adopt their accomplishments. But overall China is a highly developed country with some major issues, but they achieved so much, and should be very proud of their accomplishments.