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AnonymousI found Clay's lecture on growth and development very interesting. I had never thought about how England became such a world power in the eighteenth century. Their advances in development and industrialization helped them become a strong nation that was able to colonize many parts of the world. They were able to produce more than they consumed. I also couldn't believe how they dealt with China in the Opium War. The British violated trade laws, started a war and then somehow legally made it so they controlled customs in China. Their success was all due to the fact that they were more developed than China. They had steam ships, better cannons, and better guns. I can see how China felt very resentful about these actions. This also explains why China today doesn't embrace Western democracy. They don't want to be taken advantage of again.
I also found it interesting that England and the U.S. got their idea for civil service exams from the Chinese. Years ago when I was first married my husband wanted to go into the Foreign Service for the United States. He took the exam twice and did not pass the exam. He is a very good test taker and that shows how difficult civil service exams can be. China has had so many influences here in America.
AnonymousI enjoyed learning about the Taiping Rebellion during Monday night's class. I had no idea that China dealt with it's own civil war during the years that America was fighting itself. It's unbelievable to think that 50 million lives were lost during the course of this long war between the Manchus of the Qing Dynasty and Hong Xiuquan's rebel army. That number is just astounding to me. In today's numbers, the lives lost during America's civil war would be about 7 million people - still a fraction of those lost during the Taiping Rebellion. It always fascinates me to learn about wars from the past and what people were fighting for. In this case, the rebels were following a man who claimed to be the brother of Jesus, and fought for their beliefs in Christianity. They also wanted to overthrow the Manchus and their imperialistic confucian system. This rebellion is one of the roots of the past that eventually inspired Mao in his political beliefs.
AnonymousI found it incredible that the custom of foot binding that lasted for 1000 years, up until the last century, all started because of one concubine with small feet. The emperor was very attracted to her small feet, that other ladies wanted to make their feet small. They thought that having small feet would make them more desirable. This notion of what was considered beautiful was culturally determined and therefore young girls ages 4 to 7 were inflicted with foot binding by their mothers and older sisters. It is so sad that the girls didn't have the freedom to choose. This custom was part of the Chinese social structure, but was seen as cruel and barbaric by other cultures. It is just hard to believe that a culture could develop a custom of disfiguring women's feet, and do this for nine centuries, and think it is beautiful.
AnonymousI know that it was a lecture on China but we started out reviewing some thought about Japan and I couldn't help to think about the recent ups and downs of Japanese history.
Japan as example of resiliency: Atomic bombs, wars, natural disasters and a top world economy. Sought after cuisine, electronics, automobiles and even their zen style gardens. Japan proves itself over and over again to be re-inventive and progressive.
AnonymousI found our conversation on foot binding to be very interesting. The parallels with our own society in the way that we also condone alterations to young womens' bodies was interesting. The more we learn about historical events, the more it becomes clear that human interactions are not black or white, but a series of shades of gray.
AnonymousHow interesting that the time period (1839-1949) where so many countries (eight) attempted to take advantage of the Chinese is called the Century of Humiliation. The idea of extraterritoriality is so ridiculous but unsurprising in a time where Social Darwinism influenced so many imperial countries. It is no wonder that such an extreme government was needed to eradicate foreign dominance.
AnonymousThe hundred years of humiliation in China reminds me about the parallels of the treatment that we gave out to the Native American Indians. I think we also had a name for them. The Trail of Tears forced our Native Americans, our "barbaric redskins" to flee their homes so that the civilized may settle the land for the greater good. It is sad and I think that our history will eventually shine an unflattering light on the western world.
AnonymousI find it fascinating that China is so big, so vast, and holds so many people, yet they were pushed around by smaller countries and forced into unfair treaties for so many years. Throughout this course, Clay emphasized the importance of growth and development, but I don't think I truly understood HOW important growth and development is until this session. It was difficult to comprehend how a huge country like China was taken advantage of so much, until I saw how far behind the times they were.
I think this session also deepened my understanding of the differences between the Eastern world and the Western world. Prior to this class, my understanding of the differences between the Eastern and Western world all had to do with religion. However, now I see the differences between the worlds in terms of government. I find it interesting how the change in government and ideologies of China/Russia are SO different than that of Europe/US.
AnonymousIt is interesting to contemplate what gives a country it's power. After Clay's lecture, it is clear that a lot of power stems from development. China grew in population, but it did not develop in terms of efficiency and productivity which led to a long period of time where they were pushed around by more developed countries. For example, the British were able to win the second opium war during 1860 because they were a more developed country than China was. China may have been too attached to its traditions when compared to the expansive west. Opium was eventually seen as an example of China's weakness.
AnonymousClay's discussion footbinding really captured my attention. It surprised me to learn that this tradition had been going on for 9 centuries. It was interesting how the different areas of China were affected by it. I liked Clay's point of how foot binding didn't define China, however find it interesting that it seems to be a custom that gets studied and written about quite often.
AnonymousAlthough foot binding does not define China, it is another consistent reminder of how body image is used to control women. It also restated the value of class and looks. Not all women had their foot bound, only those of certain classes.
AnonymousListening to the lecture and hearing of the disregard for the welfare of the Chinese people in the British opium trade helped me to understand why there is mistrust that continues today with regard to Western influences and ideas. American history classes are better in these times at presenting a more balanced view of history but we still have a long way to come. I think that teaching some of these lessons from the Chinese perpective in classes would begin discussions among our young people that could lead to better understanding between cultures. Advanced technology required advanced understanding of all kinds. We would do well to teach our students empathy and balanced perspectives.
AnonymousI agree with you that feet binding is cruel, however, beauty is a product of society. Back in the days, a curvy woman was considered attractive. If you look at our world today, women wear high heals, makeup, and uncomfortable clothing to appear beautiful. Furthermore, I'd like to make a connection to the importance of hair. Similar to feet binding, women now endure painful procedures to make their hair more "westernized" with weaves, perms, dyes, etc. Oh, and don't forget those painful surgical procedures for a "perfect" body. Yes, we have a choice now as women, but did we have a choice to vote or have equal rights in early America? No. I think we are very quick to judge sometimes (not saying that you are, just in general), forgetting that it was simply the norm. Of course, just because it's the norm doesn't mean it's right. So lesson learned, we need to be more proactive and stand up for the right to choose.
AnonymousI know that we only discussed this for a few minutes and saw just a few pictures, but this is the most vivid memory I have from this lecture. Maybe it is because I don't have small feet, but I just don't see the beauty in such small feet. It seems so pre-pubescent or like a small child, that I can't find the sexiness or excitement. I can't imagine feeling like I had to do something, because all women did. =(
AnonymousAnother reflection I had from this lecture was about the divorce law. How crazy is this that women, 70,000 committed suicide just to not have to be married anymore. I guess if you go through the process of getting a marriage registration, you are committed... "Until death do us part".