Chinese
History
The
Chinese have one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations, spanning some
five thousand years. China has long been ruled by dynasties. China has
experienced at least 28 dynasties with more than five hundred emperors. China
is known for its feats and accomplishment, outstanding countries all over the
world throughout history. An example of amazing feats is when the first emperor
of China, Qin Shi Huang, built the Great Wall to guard
against invading nomadic groups, and was the emperor for whom the famous
Terracotta Army was fashioned.
In the Red Scarf Girl, the setting was at the time of the Cultural Revolution (1966)
headed by the Communist Party and Chairman Mao. Mao came into power after the
Japanese were defeated (1945), and the civil war ended with Mao's forces in
control and the enemy army fleeing to Taiwan to regroup. The enemy army never
returned, and Mao ruled from 1949 until his death in 1976.
While
the Chinese initially welcomed communism, the Great Leap Forward (1958–61) and
the Cultural Revolution (1966–76) had disastrous effects on the country. More
than 40 million people starved or were killed during Mao's rule; many were
punished or framed for their family history or occupation prior to the war.
Among these people was the Jiang family in Shanghai. After Mao died in 1976,
Deng Xiaoping came to power and gradually moved away from Maoism or the ruling
system that Chairman Mao created. His more moderate policies led to foreign
tourism, a more liberal economy, private enterprise, growth, trade, and
educational exchanges with other nations.
Although
China still has the influences of its history today such as Deng Xiaoping’s
move towards socialism in contrast to communism, capitalism within the country
has taken turn of the communism that Mao propagated during the Revolution. In
2001, China was admitted into the World Trade Center that improved relations
between them and other countries in the world. Later, in 2008, China even
hosted the World Olympics in Beijing.
China
has a long history of bright and hardworking people and also a history of
extremism; as China continues to progress into the future, it is important to
watch their actions and continue relations with them.
SOURCES
IMAGES
No comments:
Post a Comment