Reflections on Session #6 (10/22)

I really enjoyed learning about the Ch'ing (Qing) Dynasty. I never realized just how much of China's cultural background was influenced by the Manchus. I believe Clayton put it this way," China today rests on a multiethnic empire of the Manchus." I learned that the Manchus were able to be so successful due to cultural, political, and economic accommodation. In a way, this reminded me of Alexander the Great and how he allowed the people he conquered to keep their customs. Alexander the Great was successful for many reasons, but one of those reasons was that he accommodated people's customs.

I learned more this week than I have ever before. I've been all over China on multiple tours outlining the history of the dynasties, history, inventions, etc., but none of it ever stuck because I didn't find it interesting. A lot of this week's lecture stuck! My family (parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles on both sides of my family) used to own multiple gift shops in Chinatown and a popular item sold was the cap with the braid down the back. I told my parents yesterday that that braid down the middle wasn't a Chinese custom, it was imposed on them by the Manchus. They already knew that and looked at me like I should've known that, but regardless, they were happy that some Chinese history is sticking!

I really enjoyed learning about the Ch'ing Dynasty this week! I knew very little about the Manchus and therefore didn't realize what a huge influence they had on China. The longevity and success was due to the accommodation of the population. They made cultural, political, and economical accommodations that enabled them to rule 267 years! Unfortunately, during all that time they became immersed in China and lost their identity and traditions, and then were taken over by the Chinese.

This world accommodation rings true in so many of the most successful and long lasting empires that we teach about in history. Alexander the great was able to take over massive area using similar accomodation tactics, as well as the Roman empire. The Roman empire began to fall once they stopped accomodating their conquered people. It is no wonder that the Manchus were so successful for so long. This may explain why there are so many languages spoken in China today. Also, the forced hair cuts were ingenious. To refuse to shave your forhead and grow a braid means that are publicly willing to disobey and considered a threat to their empire. They probably eradicated a large portion of rebels this way.

It was simple before this seminar. I thought China was full of Chinese people and now I'm more aware about the diversity of many nations. We are global community of not only technology but of people.

I really enjoy learning about the closing and opening of the borders, and as a student of history, I can draw a lot of parallels with our contemporary history and policies. The idea of closing our own borders along Mexico and closing our borders in our past history to Chinese, Japanese and European immigrants can be better understood through the studies of other countries. I can share this new found perspective with my students and make it relevant to their own studies and personal histories when we come across topics such as segregation, inclusion and understanding.

The Treaty of Nanjing also reminds me of how we are victims of policy that is forced upon the people of the land. China had a very uneven hand in the treaty but was forced into it. It is like a father and son relationship in which the son had to obey. Ironic that the Christian point of view was forced upon the hierarchical system of a Confucian state.

There were many fascinating things to learn in this session. The Opium Wars stand out in my mind because it is a reminder that so many themes in history seem to repeat themselves. In addition to lessons on history and politics, this information can be used with students in health classes and counseling groups to illustrate the effects of drug use on a nation and what can happen to it's people without education and enforcement of drug use and abuse. These lessons in history are still relevant today and useful for discussion and debate on legalization of marijuana, for example, at the high school level which is often a topic of debate.

When you consider how our government works on a 4 year or sometimes 8 year cycle, it is crazy to think that the Manchu's were around for 267 years. I do believe that that the conformity of shaving forehead and having a braid of hair down the back did help them keep this power. (What a style! =)) Was this the first time that Taiwan was mentioned? Also, during the Industrial Revolution, why was it that the only place for foreign trade was on the Guangzhou island? Was the military monitoring how much trade was happening here?

After focusing on the Time Magazine cover "The New Great Wall," it's interesting to see that China has a history of open/closed policies. With the Opium Wars and the Treaty of Nanjing, it's understandable why Chinese were a bit wary towards foreigners.

I also found the Mexico and China connection interesting. I never put the two together until this class. It was an "ah ha" moment for me.