Readings on Chinese Civil and Mao Era (12/10)

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  • #19197
    Anonymous
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    Chinese Civil War 2

    #19198
    Anonymous
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    Chinese Civil War 3

    #19199
    Anonymous
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    Mao China

    #19200
    Anonymous
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    I have been looking for a general link to post musings on things that are in the news. I learned recently from a blog post from neighbor Tim Rutt about an amazing celleist , Cecilia Tsan, also an Altadena resident. Her parents came from Shanghai, in Communist China, but fled to Europe. Chan's dad, who was about to become a well-known dissident, "mysteriously" died in an auto accident. It was later discovered that the "accident" had been arranged by Chinese intelligence.
    Tsan was raised among many other expatriate Chinese musicians in Paris and has become an inspiration for many, including myself.

    #19201
    Anonymous
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    The beginning of this article discusses how some of China's customs were holding the country back because the customs made the country seem uncivilized compared to the Western culture. One of the customs discussed was foot binding. Foot binding started in the Song dynasty and went into the Ming and Qing dynasties. Girls of 5 to 8 had their feet tightly bound. Some scholars in the 18th century attacked the practive but an anti-foot binding society didn't start until 1895. I am glad that this custom was done away with. It seemed cruel and not functional. Doing away with such a custom shows some development on the part of China.

    #19202
    Anonymous
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    I find Mao Zedong to be a very interesting character. Growing up, I'd heard his name tossed around in casual context and we all learned about him in high school, but it wasn't until this class that I realized how controversial he really is. In reading the article "Red Guards," the workers said, "We have long wanted to discard artistic products decorated with emperors, kings, generals, prime ministers, scholars, and beauties." Then they put away "carved standing screens and hanging screens and hung more portraits of Chairman Mao in the shop." And in class, Clay repeatedly showed us propaganda and discussed how Mao was aiming for the peasants/workers, women, and soldiers. Mao comes off as a man of the common people--the common people who want to do away with emperors and kings. So instead, these common people throw their support behind Mao, who is essentially a dictator! We learned about how he's ruthless, abusive, and how millions of working class people starved to death under his control. A little contradictory, is it not?

    #19203
    Anonymous
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    Mao. I agree with NFong that this is a name i have heard tossed around. But too truly learn of the horrors that happened under his rule was shocking. The level of violence that happened was mind blowing to me. I didn't know of the level of abuse that had been introduced under his rule.

    #19204
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Wow! What an interesting read. I found the repeated emphasis on simplicity and frugality fascinating. How different that is from today's standards in most developed countries. Today, the wedding industry is a huge money maker with couples often trying to outdo one another with creativity and elements of celebration.

    #19205
    Anonymous
    Guest

    My eventual lesson plan for this class assignment is going to be one on "Body Image". As a school counselor, I present to the Health classes about topics affecting teens and health. The article provided here describes foot binding and talks about the treatment of women in China and will serve as a great introductory history lesson which I hope will lead into discussions about modern-day body mutilations (ie: breast implants, lipo-suctions, lip enhancements, etc...). I think that considering approximately 60% of the teenagers I will be presenting the lesson to are of Chinese descent this should be great way to help them see parallels between past and present with regard to what is considered appropriate or necessary for women to consider themselves acceptable to the culture. It is a great lead in to how we consider ourselves in society. What has changed...what thinking is still pervasive?

    #19206
    Anonymous
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    I found it intersting that it took quite a long time for China to change their culture regarding customs such as footbinding and the sale of girls as bondservants. In my 4th grade Social Studies class, we are currently learning about the Spanish taking control of California and forcing the Native Americans to adopt their customs and way of life. In my class we have debated the two sides, having students argue for both the Spanish and Native Americans. As I read the article, "Ridding China of Bad Customs" it made me think to the lesson I taught my students. We discussed the pros and cons of changing and evolving societies. In this particular case, I believe that the change was for the better. The essay "On Freeing Slave Girls" was a bit shocking that it was only until the 1920's that they realized the indecency of this custom.

    #19207
    Anonymous
    Guest

    I found these readings to be very intersting, due to the fact that some opinions were almost two centuries apart, yet sounded extremely similar. It's intersting how American images of East Asia haven't changed too much.

    #19208
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Like Nfong and TLentz explained, Mao is a familiar name. I knew who he was, but not too sure exactly what he did, however I never thought of him in a positive light. After these readings I now understand why that is so, with the amount of abuse that existed during his rule.

    #19209
    Anonymous
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    I had no idea that American Presidents had such strong feelings about Korea and Vietnam about being important stakes. Eisenhower's words in 1954, "You have a row of dominoes set up, you knock over the first one, and what will happen to the last one is...that it will go over very quickly." were vague yet very strong. Most views saw the Communist Chinese as aggressive and forceful in actions.

    #19210
    Anonymous
    Guest

    WHAT? Did they really post articles like this? I cannot believe the details in stature that were being described. Is this why people started saying "all Asians look alike?" Was this published in Japanese and Chinese as well?

    #19211
    Anonymous
    Guest

    china’s banks are owned by states, so they are mandated to lend money to other states. This hurts the banks because they are not doing well when economy doesn’t do well. This concept can be taught concurrently to 8th grade U.S. History. The federal monies were once handled through privately owned banks. After realizing that the economy cannot be at the mercy of private banks, Hamilton established a federal bank to safeguard against the fluctuating economy.

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