China 's Influence On Traditional Practices

Western imperialism in China was very significant, costed the lives of millions of people, but also helped shape China into a much stronger country than it was before, being ruled by the Qing Dynasty. Imperialism is a country extending its power and influence through the use of military force. There were two wars between the imperialists and China, the first and second Opium wars. The result of these wars was the weakening of the Qing Dynasty and led to a time of rebuilding, which was a great struggle, for China. The Europeans wanted to trade with China because of the great opportunity that they saw in the market. China’s population, which was 430 million, was seen as a fast and easy way for the Europeans to make a lot of money. The

Before the arrival of western powers, China was very stable, agricultural, and ethnocentric. They had many factories that produced silk, cotton, and porcelain with their natural resources: salt, tin, silver, and iron mines. They had no interest of trade or interaction with foreigners. From the early eighteenth century, European and American Imperialism spread throughout China with a goal to extend their nation’s power. China was one of many territories that undertook the changes of New Imperialism. By 1912, the country was governed by outside nations: Great Britain (mostly), Russia, Germany, France, and Japan. Their influence on China resulted malignantly on the country’s economy, political ties, and lifestyle; in spite of the few

China had a significantly larger population than Europe, China was the home to one hundred to one hundred thirty million people, whereas Europe had only fifty to fifty-five million people in the fifteenth century (Kennedy 4). China had been severely deterred when the Mongol hordes entered their civilization and in the aftermath of Kublai Khan invading their country. However, the Ming dynasty surfaced in 1368. The Ming were able to bring the empire back together by finally defeating the Mongols, and by restoring old Chinese order and tradition. With the Mongols being defeated, the Chinese made leaps and bounds in the world of technology, creating inventions that were far ahead of their time. From an early time, there were very large libraries in China. In order to create the books that existed those libraries, the Chinese created printing by movable type all the way back in the eleventh century. This segued into the use of paper money, which quickened the flow of commerce, which resulted from the increase of trade due to “… canal building and population pressures…” (Kennedy 6). Perhaps what is most impressive about Ming China was their overseas exploration. The most prominent of

King Afonso I was king of Kongo during the 1520s. Qianlong was emperor of China during the Qing dynasty, during the 1790s. In the kingdom of Kongo, there were many Portuguese merchants whom had established close political and diplomatic relations with the king. These relations brought much wealth and recognition to Kongo, but it also brought problems that led to its inevitable destruction. Portuguese merchants embarked on slaving expeditions. Their tactics undermined the authority of the kings, who appealed repeatedly to the Portuguese to cease or at least to limit their trade in slaves. During the Qing dynasty, global trade brought much

There are many things in history that can mark the milestone differences between China and Western Europe. No one really knows when Chinese culture really began, however Chinese civilization began near the Yellow River (Huang He) becoming North China, and Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) indicating South China. The first Dynasty, the Xia (Hsia) Dynasty began in about 2070 or 2205 BCE. Historians have found proof of the wheel first being used in China during this time showing urban culture did exist. The Shang Dynasty followed introducing the first Chinese Government. A lot of the “basic” Chinese culture was introduced during the Zhou (Chou) Dynasty such as the “Mandate of Heaven.” China contains a lot of history throughout the years. There were battles between the states, many new emperors and leaders, as well as new technologies. All of which brought three great Chinese philosophies; Daoism, Confucianism, and Legalism. It wasn’t until about 581 CE that China was reunifies under the leader, Sui Wendi. Wendi linked North and South China together by the Grand Canal. It was during the Song Dynasty, in 960 CE, that China promoted better tools. The

The Europeans who dreamt of conquering Asia were under the impression that Asia was a blank slate, isolated with no history and traditions. However, that is their misconception for Asia from 500-1500 CE “was a vast world of contrast… [and] bewildering variety” thriving with many empires, capital cities, religions, and cultures (Gordon, 177). Because of this, Asia then can be classified as a compilation of many key eras such as the Medieval Age in China and the Golden Age. Such prosperous times for Asian states and empires are to be accredited to the notable networking in Asia at this time period. People who utilized the establishment of fundamental institutions such as the religions of Islam and Buddhism and various modes of trading and traveling were able to facilitate the diffusion of ideas and cultures therefore indirectly contributing to the overall connection of Asian states and empires during 500-1500 CE.

This was a result of China being extremely ethnocentric as shown by its nickname, “Middle Kingdom,” which means that China is the center of the world. The products that China exported before the end of trade around the world were silk, iron, and bronze (document 1). The goods that were brought into China were gold, glass, ivory, animal hides, horses, and cattle (document 1). One positive impact that this trade did have on China was that as it traded with places like India, the cultures began to mix, resulting in the introduction of Buddhism to China (document 1), which is now a very popular religion although it was not accepted at first. A negative impact of trade was the bubonic plague or

Many Ming Dynasty officials resisted European trade and ideas because of four reasons. First, China was at the height of its power at the time that the Europeans came to China. Because of this, the Ming officials thought that China wouldn’t benefit from accepting the European’s request to trade. Second, China thought that the Europeans were barbarians, and the Ming officials didn’t want to trade with uncivilized people. Third, China’s main philosophy, Confucianism, influenced people into not trading with outsiders. Confucius taught that “people should place loyalty to society ahead of their own desires” (pg. 286). This meant that people shouldn’t trade in order to keep harmony. Lastly, Ming officials didn’t want Chinese people to adopt Christianity.

In the 19th century, technological improvements enabled many European nations to enlarge their power and have greater impact on other parts of the world. Those impacts are clearly demonstrated in the book Abina and the Important Men and the source Fifty Years of New Japan. Abina and the Important Men views on how a young woman from Gold Coast, West Africa in the 1870s failed to declare her own freedom in a local British dominated court. The source Fifty Years of New Japan demonstrates how Japan had modernized in fifty years with adoption of European cultural practices. Because the Gold Coast was a crown colony of the British empire, change made by European culture and power was in favor of the interest of Britain. Indigenous people respond to such changes differently based on their different social status. Japan, on the other hand, was independently adopting western cultural practices for modernization, so Japan was able to better improve herself by learning about the Western Civilization.

As Europe begins to make tremendous impacts on the New World through colonization, the Old World also began to feel the effects of this new world order. With Europe creeping into South East Asia, it was only a matter of time before they would be right on China and Japan’s doorstep. Zen Buddhist Japan has remained untouched by the Europeans, and Daimyo’s, Samurais, and Emperors continued to dominate the Japanese system. Confucian dominant China, like Japan, still did not feel the true effects of a new European order and remained virtually unaffected. However, the old order of China and Japan were about to change with the arrival of Europeans and their missionaries, who brought Christianity with them.

After the first Sino-British War, China was forced to accept the western influence and later then the Taiping movement accelerated the progress of China’s modern history and promoted the Westernization movement.

Throughout the nineteenth century China’s emperors watched as foreign powers began to encroach closer and closer upon their land. Time after time, China was forced to make embarrassing concessions. Foreign militaries more modernly armed would constantly defeat the imperial armies. As the dawn of a new century was about to begin, Empress Tsu Hsi of the Ch’ing Dynasty searched for a way of ridding her empire of the foreign invaders.

Chinese culture is truly one of the great civilization our world has come across. It boasts a vast geographic expanse, over 4000 years of written history, as well as a rich and profound traditional society. Many aspects of Chinese civilization can be traced back many centuries. It is so diverse and unique, yet harmoniously blended, and presents itself a priceless benefit to the world.

Early chinese civilization was very well in control of Asia and assumed the role of ‘big brother” to its neighboring Asian countries of Japan, Vietnam, and Korea. Japan, Korea, and Vietnam were absolutely affected by China, being affected by Chinese religion, government, and sky’s the limit from there. Even if you look at current day Asia, those countries still possess a lot of Chinese influence.

The effect of Buddhism in China was one of the most profound changes China ever had, as it affected their economy. This time, economy brought about religion; Buddhism came into China through international trade. As South Asian countries came into China, they spread their religion which at that time was majorly Buddhism. To gain favor from the foreign traders, the emperors showed frivolities towards them. “Tang emperors spent huge sums of money on Buddhism” (Dubois, 2011, p. 34). They constructed Buddhist monasteries, excluded monks from taxes and lavished them with other benefits. In one sentence, the emperors at that time, sought to seek the face of Buddhist he monks at the expense of the economy. On a lighter note however, the spread of Buddhism increased the economy of China as it created revenue in trade. “Up till the twentieth century, Tang dynasty was the most cosmopolitan period of China’s history. Politically, emperors had conflicts of interest and so alternatively chose Buddhism or Daoism in succession” (Dubois, p. 34).