Session 15 & 16 with Dr. Dube

[Anonymous]

There are endless parallels to be drawn between the opium wars and drug trade today.
The web site http://www.helium.com/items/1190970-brief-history-and-outcome-of-the-opium-wars deals with the power struggles and economic issues during the opium wars and asks questions that could be used in the classroom to help draw parallels with the drug issues we face today.

[Anonymous]

I would also like to thank Ying for telling us more about her modern day relatives of the Manchu and about the Eight Banners. First person stories allow us to see through the eyes of people who lived through very difficult times and have triumphed. A friend of mine grew up in China during the Cultural Revolution. He is the same age as Prof. Ye and also lived through the time when the communist party tried to erase the cultural past by burning books, sending children to the country; producing an illation group of young people who are now known as the “lost generation. “I am the Red Scarf Boy,” he told me recently. My friend has a story of courage and determination.
edited by mjones on 8/12/2011
edited by mjones on 8/12/2011

[Anonymous]

While looking on the China History forum web site for information on the assimilation and accommodation of the Manchus, I came across the anthropology term acculturated. The argument was that it was not difficult for them because they had assimilated much of the Chinese traditions on their rise to power.

Although they did continue the Chinese tradition, the Manchus took steps to ensure their ethnic identity. Han Chinese were not allowed to move into the Manchu home land, Manchus could not go into trade or manual labor, and intermarriages were strictly forbidden. Many Manchus today have lost the use of the Manchu language, but still have Manchu ethnicity because this ethnicity is recognized by the state.

[Anonymous]

How odd to signal one's loyalty to the Manchu by shaving the forehead and hair.
That the Manchus moved into China and accommodated the Chinese majority is interesting. The Qing dynasty was successful for a very long time. Today's China is built on the empire the Manchus built. By 1741, it was the largest empire on the planet with 142 million people. Despite their success, the Manchus lost their distinctiveness. There is some food for thought here, especially in this country with a history of immigration. Do we keep our traditions and customs that crossed the seas, or do we assimilate?

Ying, thanks for sharing your background with us. How proud you must be to call yourself a descendent of the Qing dynasty!

[Anonymous]

I love the picture of the Starbucks just outside the Forbidden City walls.

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Hi all,

Please post your comments and questions about the ideas and materials introduced during the session.

-Xin

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the additional link to the article on the impact of opium. It would be interesting if the U.S. decided to follow Lin Zexu's anti drug plan. I can't believe that the East India Company even sold pamphlets on how to properly sell the drugs. The U.S. just might be able to take a few tips from the Emperor and Lin Zexu to rid illegal drugs. Their strategy was to use educate the Chinese on the evils of opium to convince them it was morally wrong & if caught violating the law they would receive stiffer punishments.

[Author]

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