Sunday, February 27, 2011
Inventions during the Qing dynasty
The printing size and scale dramatically changed during the Qing Dynasty. Printing was no longer in few places, but, in many centres of China .The number of publications also grew. Classic pieces of Chinese artr were being printed in large quantities and in stunning Quality. The amount of publications seen in the Qing dynasty is the largest out of all the dynasties. The development of printing also changed. The Chinese nearly perfected the movable printer. It would be made from bronze, clay or wood. Woodblock colour printing became very popular and the quality kep improving. A product made by this printing system was the Lunar New Year posters. The advancements in Printing was a great discovery during the Qing Dynasty
Second Opium war has come to a Halt!
It is a bright summer day in June and the Second Opium War is over. It all started with the renegotiation between the British and the Qing. They wanted the Qing court to open up china for British merchants to sell there mmerchandise. The Qing refused to open China afraid that the same scenario that happened a decade ago did not happen. The British struck first which was coward of them to do so since The Chinese were fighting another war and could not fend of the western attack.
There were attempts of assassination on the French. The superintendent of trade and his family were the target. The baker was in charge of putting Arsenic in the bread to poison the family. He made a mistake by putting it in the dough, which allowed the family to throw up the poison. The British House of Representatives then said that the Treaty of Nanjing was not sufficient for both parties so they said either open your ports or we are going to war. The Chinese would crumble under pressure .
The Chinese would sign six treaties Of Tienstin. Britain, France, Russia, and the United States would have the right to establish diplomatic Legations (small embassies) in Peking.Ten more Chinese ports would be opened for foreign trade, including Niuzhuang, Danshui,Hankou, and Nanjing .The right of all foreign vessels including commercial ships to navigate freely on the YangtzeThe right of foreigners to travel in the internal regions of China, which had been formerly banned.China was to pay an indemnity to Britain and France in 2 million taels of silver each.China was to pay compensation to British merchants in 2 million taels of silver for destruction of their property.
Based on the type of compensation the British got I believe they won this war undoubtedly. The chinese had to give up a total of 4 million taels, The british could trade again and The British also got to open offices in China. Britain 2 - Qing dynasty 0.
There were attempts of assassination on the French. The superintendent of trade and his family were the target. The baker was in charge of putting Arsenic in the bread to poison the family. He made a mistake by putting it in the dough, which allowed the family to throw up the poison. The British House of Representatives then said that the Treaty of Nanjing was not sufficient for both parties so they said either open your ports or we are going to war. The Chinese would crumble under pressure .
The Chinese would sign six treaties Of Tienstin. Britain, France, Russia, and the United States would have the right to establish diplomatic Legations (small embassies) in Peking.Ten more Chinese ports would be opened for foreign trade, including Niuzhuang, Danshui,Hankou, and Nanjing .The right of all foreign vessels including commercial ships to navigate freely on the YangtzeThe right of foreigners to travel in the internal regions of China, which had been formerly banned.China was to pay an indemnity to Britain and France in 2 million taels of silver each.China was to pay compensation to British merchants in 2 million taels of silver for destruction of their property.
Based on the type of compensation the British got I believe they won this war undoubtedly. The chinese had to give up a total of 4 million taels, The british could trade again and The British also got to open offices in China. Britain 2 - Qing dynasty 0.
Neo-confucianism The way of the Qing people
Neo-Confucianism was the basis of Confucian Orthodoxy in The Qing dynasty. The Orthodoxy part means it is Confucian teachings but there might be something different included in the teachings. The Neo-Confucianists wanted to merge together the basic rules of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. One of the most important thinkers to this Philosophy was Zhu Xi.
Confucius was the man that came up with the idea of Confucianism (hence the name).This man was born in 551 BCE. At first his ideas were not accepted, but, during the Han Dynasty his disciples started to spread his word. Emperor Wu and his people excepted his ideas of peace and virtue in China. The philosophy that was burned and forgotten in the Qin dynasty was now the official Philosophy of the state. Confucianism stuck, until communism arose in the 20th century.
After the merge of Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism Korea and Japan joined the the Philosophy. Neo Confucian was used throughout the Qing Dynasty. Without the change to communism Neo- Confucianism may have never been discovered and history of the Qing dynasty would be different.
Confucius was the man that came up with the idea of Confucianism (hence the name).This man was born in 551 BCE. At first his ideas were not accepted, but, during the Han Dynasty his disciples started to spread his word. Emperor Wu and his people excepted his ideas of peace and virtue in China. The philosophy that was burned and forgotten in the Qin dynasty was now the official Philosophy of the state. Confucianism stuck, until communism arose in the 20th century.
After the merge of Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism Korea and Japan joined the the Philosophy. Neo Confucian was used throughout the Qing Dynasty. Without the change to communism Neo- Confucianism may have never been discovered and history of the Qing dynasty would be different.
Interview With Empress Cixi
Empress Cixi how do you feel about how society is doing now that you have stopped trade of Opium with the British? " Personally I feel very happy. Society is finally getting back on it's feet after the debacle of Opium. I thought it would take us much longer to rebound from it. Unfortunately though there are some people that are still addicted to Opium. We have put them into a rehabilitation group to try to get over there addiction. I would predict by the end of this year everyone will forget this incident ever happened."
Will the Chinese ever trade with the British again? " For now, No. We are in a position over here that we have just lost a war along with 18,000 men. Our society is just getting back to normal and I would not want to go through the silly charade a second time. When the British come to me with a trade worthy of the tea we trade out I might consider trading with them. That has not happened yet so, we are waiting patiently for everything to come into place so we can be the glorious Empire that we want to be."
Is another War in the future between the Chinese and the British possible? " I don't believe that we would lead ourselves into another War we can't win. You are not saying that you wouldn't go into war? When push comes to shove perhaps we would, but, in the time being I am done sending my troops into war. Besides we have everything we need here in China we don't need to trade with the people of Britain. They have there Trinkets and toys while we have our Tea."
What type of item are you looking for in a trade? "I am interested in the technology that western civilizations are discovering. It would be intriguing to see what type of technology we could receive from trading our tea. I heard that there was a machine that tells the time by two handles. We would not have to use the sun anymore. That would be the ideal trade that would benefit China."
What do the people of China hope to see from you in the Future? " I hope to establish trade again with countries that have things that we are interested in. My board hopes to financially help out the widowed wives of the men that died in the war over Opium. Most women cannot run farms by themselves so We will give them funds to hire people to help them work. That way the economy will get back to it's original self. Lastly to stop the trade of Opium to any place so that Nobody will have to go through what china had to go through."
Will the Chinese ever trade with the British again? " For now, No. We are in a position over here that we have just lost a war along with 18,000 men. Our society is just getting back to normal and I would not want to go through the silly charade a second time. When the British come to me with a trade worthy of the tea we trade out I might consider trading with them. That has not happened yet so, we are waiting patiently for everything to come into place so we can be the glorious Empire that we want to be."
Is another War in the future between the Chinese and the British possible? " I don't believe that we would lead ourselves into another War we can't win. You are not saying that you wouldn't go into war? When push comes to shove perhaps we would, but, in the time being I am done sending my troops into war. Besides we have everything we need here in China we don't need to trade with the people of Britain. They have there Trinkets and toys while we have our Tea."
What type of item are you looking for in a trade? "I am interested in the technology that western civilizations are discovering. It would be intriguing to see what type of technology we could receive from trading our tea. I heard that there was a machine that tells the time by two handles. We would not have to use the sun anymore. That would be the ideal trade that would benefit China."
What do the people of China hope to see from you in the Future? " I hope to establish trade again with countries that have things that we are interested in. My board hopes to financially help out the widowed wives of the men that died in the war over Opium. Most women cannot run farms by themselves so We will give them funds to hire people to help them work. That way the economy will get back to it's original self. Lastly to stop the trade of Opium to any place so that Nobody will have to go through what china had to go through."
Map of The Quing Dynasty
This is my map of the Qing Dynasty when it was the greatest size. As you can see the The Empire grew drastically farther to the East than when it was in the Ming dynasty. Land was also gained farther north. The land dipped in the middle of the north in present. When you compare both The Qing Dynasty and Present China I believe that the Qing dynasty is much larger. Of course back then they went and killed off everyone they could to gain land.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Mistakes that cost you
Was the Opium war worth all that blood? People understand what was happening to society but, 18,000 men dying at the hands of the British is just unbelievable. Everyone is extremely angry about fellow countrymen dying. Along with the dead bodies left our dignity. We are a proud county that has been through thick and thin and we will not let these foreigners ruin what we have overcome for thousands of years.Queen Elizabeth said " She is disappointed that it had to come to such a terrible end for both parties." If she was so disappointed than why did she not stop it in the first place? I'm pretty sure along with million other Chinese that she out of anyone could have prevented this bloodshed. Li Ann a woman who lost her husband in this war said " I am now a widow earning no money and i can't keep up with the work around the farm. I want my Husband back" The poor decisions by both parties has left Britain with no trading partner and China 18,000 men short.
Will the relationship between the British and the Chinese ever be the same? Tao said " We need a break from trading with the British. There is too much non-sense going on right now to do anything with a different country." Do we need a temporary brake from the British or should it be permanent? These are questions that Empress Cixi will have to think through and make a decision. If not her whole dynasty will come to a halt and progress will be stopped. After these turn of events will people even consider trading with China? Wok said " I think there is light at the end of the tunnel. We need to wait for the right opportunity to trade to a different country. And preferably a country that can trade goods back (laughter)." As a wise man once said if you want something, You have to GET that something. We are the Great and mighty China we will let no one stand in our way of our goals.
Will the relationship between the British and the Chinese ever be the same? Tao said " We need a break from trading with the British. There is too much non-sense going on right now to do anything with a different country." Do we need a temporary brake from the British or should it be permanent? These are questions that Empress Cixi will have to think through and make a decision. If not her whole dynasty will come to a halt and progress will be stopped. After these turn of events will people even consider trading with China? Wok said " I think there is light at the end of the tunnel. We need to wait for the right opportunity to trade to a different country. And preferably a country that can trade goods back (laughter)." As a wise man once said if you want something, You have to GET that something. We are the Great and mighty China we will let no one stand in our way of our goals.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
18,000 men die over Opium!
The war over Opium is over. After three years of fighting the war over the pain reliever is over. The Chinese signed there first unequal treaty, The Treaty of Nanking. The British suffering 69 casualties while china had over 18,000. The story is even more intriguing than the decision to go into this war.
The Chinese had been trading tea to great Britain for a while, with nothing in return but silver. The British have tried continuously to trade low value products to the emperor, with no success. Finally the British had come to us with a trade worthy of what we trade out.Opium a medicine used to suppress pain ,was just the thing for us. But after the decline of people's health in society because of the opium, they tried to stop the trade.
While trying to break off the trade a U.S navy ship was attacked, ransacked and the crew members were killed. The British and the Americans jumped to conclusions and believed it was the Chinese. This started immediate controversy. The British struck back by vandalizing a temple and killing the man inside. This enraged the Chinese.
In an interview with the Emperor he stated " It is disgraceful to murder an innocent man. We shut the trade down, Yes! That is not an excuse to kill". In a return statement from Queen Elizabeth she said " I am shocked at these events. I am truly sorry but, when you shut down the only trade we give you it is hard to see what else my men could have done?"
Have we seen the last of the British or will Revenge still lurk in their hearts? Only time will tell.
The Chinese had been trading tea to great Britain for a while, with nothing in return but silver. The British have tried continuously to trade low value products to the emperor, with no success. Finally the British had come to us with a trade worthy of what we trade out.Opium a medicine used to suppress pain ,was just the thing for us. But after the decline of people's health in society because of the opium, they tried to stop the trade.
While trying to break off the trade a U.S navy ship was attacked, ransacked and the crew members were killed. The British and the Americans jumped to conclusions and believed it was the Chinese. This started immediate controversy. The British struck back by vandalizing a temple and killing the man inside. This enraged the Chinese.
In an interview with the Emperor he stated " It is disgraceful to murder an innocent man. We shut the trade down, Yes! That is not an excuse to kill". In a return statement from Queen Elizabeth she said " I am shocked at these events. I am truly sorry but, when you shut down the only trade we give you it is hard to see what else my men could have done?"
Have we seen the last of the British or will Revenge still lurk in their hearts? Only time will tell.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)