As we progress in the course, I am interested to see how we answer (and do not answer) these questions about the definition of modern and how they affect our study of China. In general, we will also be hampered linguistically and culturally, as we are studying the history of a country that is profoundly different from our own Western nations.

relativistic

teleological

The largest issue is that the word “modern” is defined in a Western context, and so while it can be used to describe the development of Western nations, it is far less neat when it comes to describing East Asian nations like China.

Modernization

main theoretical frameworks of international relations.

The parts of the quote that had me thinking the most were “its own identity” and “shifts with the times as human life unfolds”. This language indicates that Shepard views modernity of a nation as a sort of fluid concept instead of specific parameters that a society needs to fit. 

Wei Zhongxian

From the farming peasants to the military to the nobility, the Ming dynasty has failed them.

acquiescence

was on the cusp of its downfall

the author infers that this time period is crucial to modern Chinese history, whether as a precursor to modernity, or its beginnings.

Jonathan Spence seems to disagree with the possibility of China being a modern nation since he argues that to be modern means being “integrated and fairly receptive”

It is common for many to associate “modernity” or “newness” with becoming western.

sentries were not well-paid nor were they properly outfitted, subject to the extreme cold of the steppe and in constant contact with Mongol and Manchu raiders. It is small wonder that given the opportunity to defect or turn in the other direction while raiders crossed the border they did so.

Wang describes rape, torture, murder, infanticide, and general brutality, estimating at least eighty thousand dead, with many more unaccounted for.

he wall as a whole was a colossal failure: it did not protect the Chinese from invaders

The chapter discusses the ultimate failure of the structure that is now known as the Great Wall, and how it not only failed to protect China from barbarians, but in many ways hastened its destruction.

This picture shows a Chinese man wearing the queue hairstyle, which the Qing enforced on their subjects.

I understand a “modern” nation to be one that is both integrated and receptive, fairly sure of its own identity yet able to join others on equal terms in the quest for new markets, new technologies, new ideas

Edicts

queue hairstyle

China is starting to become modern, but forcing people of a different culture with different ideologies to do something they do not believe in is not modern; it is cruel.

“Those who claim to submit but do not shave their heads are hesitant and watchful. They should be given a deadline for compliance based on their distance from the capital and rewarded accordingly when they arrive in Beijing. If they do not meet the deadline, it is clear that they are resisting and definitely should be punished; troops are to be sent to suppress them.”

is China at this point in time modern?

I couldn’t help but think about the atrocities of the holocaust, where millions of people faced a similar fight for their lives in the places Nazi Germany invaded.

In present day it is a wonderful tourist attraction with lots of history but in its times of use, it went largely useless.

They could be considered modern in some ways but not others.

What I found to be the most fascinating this week was the idea that some groups wanted to remain as distinct from the rest as possible, as it gave them a sort of “edge” that increased their proximity to the inner circle

The Manchus attack took the Chinese empire by surprise and their conquest was a key piece of history.

With most of the money being kept in the inner edges of the kingdom, the money wasn’t circulating through the realm leading to it not prospering. Other factors also plagued China, like famine and disease, which helped weaken it.

The Manchu raiders could go straight into China’s heart with little effort.

He combined European Renaissance realism art techniques such as chiaroscuro with Chinese aesthetics, poetic symbolism, and pigments (2). It was also interesting that most of modern China remember Castiglione and his contribution to art while Europe forgot his name or that it doesn’t hold much of an impact as it did in China. Although a foreigner, Castiglione assimilated within the society of China, the rest of Europe failed to do, especially the powers of Europe.

I thought it was interesting to learn about Giuseppe Castiglione, a Jesuit missionary that was sent to Qing China and served three emperors.

during the reign of Qianlong

There were traces of appreciation and admiration of Chinese culture, but their eagerness to make Christianity present seems less representative for China–since Christinaity is a rather exclusive religion.

An interesting concept within this past week’s readings was the developing relationship between Europe and China.

Two great drives are constantly in motion to abridge, in the name of education, thecomplete division of religion and civil authority which our forefathers made.

impregnable

agree

They are approximately 400 words, excl. notes and list of sources consulted.

These activities will add an additional 14 hours of instruction across the semester.