I truly am appreciating what it is I am learning about in this world history class. I know that as a younger student, I was just not ready, or perhaps not that interested, in the past events of other nations. Today, however, I am in a different place where I want to learn about the past of other civilizations and other nations to put in perspective where we are as a nation and where we are as a global partner. Perhaps it is because I am more mature than many of my fellow students, but I recognize that in order for us to peacefully co- exist with our fellow nations around the world, we need to fully understand what has gone on before at all levels. Perhaps, then, we stand a chance of survival globally.
Of the three chapters assigned this week, I found the reading on China quite enlightening. While I realize that China today is one of the super powers, I did not realize that it had such a significant history. Our reading this week educates us regarding China’s history from 500 CE to 1500 CE and refers to China as a major player among the then third-wave civilizations. Strayer indicates that China had a centered “world order” that was felt throughout most of eastern Asia, and its wealth and cosmopolitan culture attracted many of its neighbors. The Tang and Song dynasties lasted for 1,000 years. I was also surprised by its technological advances that included: the invention of gunpowder circa 1000 CE; its iron industry that produced suits of armor, arrowheads, metal for coins, and tools; papermaking; salt production through solar evaporation that was found to be extremely useful in preservation of food stuffs; and, printing (which I thought had been invented by a European later in history). I was equally surprised to learn that it staffed its bureaucratic form of government via an examination system; public agency recruitment in the State of California typically includes an examination system of some sort as well.
China’s self-perception that it was superior over other cultures equally was a surprise. They considered themselves the “middle kingdom,” the center of the world, and they felt that they were superior to all “barbarian” peoples from beyond its borders. Their Chinese lifestyle advocated culture and education, was self-sufficient, and greatly contrasted to the primitive nomadic lifestyles of northern China where people lived in tents and rode horses and who “sought access to China’s wealth and wisdom” (Strayer, 249). Interestingly, China was willing to allow access within its borders for two reasons: 1) China believed that all barbarians could become Chinese through assimilation; and 2) China was “radiating civilization” (Strayer, 249) and, in doing so, was inviting others to visit.
This access to China came at a price, known as the Tribute System. This system was a set of practices that required the non-Chinese visitors/authorities to not only acknowledge Chinese superiority, but to acknowledge their own subordinate position by “kowtowing” to the Chinese in a series of ritual bowings and quasi worship behavior. The visitors then would present their tribute, their gifts, to the Chinese emperor. In return for the visitors’ submission, the emperor would grant them permission to enter China and trade in their rich markets, and would then bestow upon them gifts that often were of more value than those the emperor himself received. This tribute system enabled the Chinese to regulate their relationships with the northern nomads, as well as the peoples of the neighboring states of Korea, Vietnam, Tibet, Japan, and the European barbarians that traveled over water. While this practice was successful most of the time, there were times when it worked in an opposite way. When China was faced, for example, with nomadic tribes, such as the Xiongnu, that were able to interact with its empire on equal terms militarily and otherwise, it was in China’s best interest to negotiate with these groups by providing them with essentially a “reverse tribute.” So, China would provide these tribes with large quantities of annual “gifts” of wine, silk and grain. While these “gifts” complied with the tribute system, they were, in fact, a payment to the tribes for not invading China and for any necessary protection. It was interesting to note that some of these nomadic tribes did not want to conquer China; rather, they preferred this extortion.
I was unaware of the impact China had on its neighboring nations, Vietnam, Korea and Japan. While China did conquer the area of Korea, the Korean states did emerge between the 4th and 7th centuries and resisted Chinese political control. Korea was successful in maintaining its political independence while participating with China’s tribute system. While Korea did accept much of the Chinese culture in the form of luxury goods, scholarship and religious influence, it maintained its own culture and separate political existence. Vietnam’s experience with China was somewhat similar to Korea’s experience. However, the cultural heartland in Vietnam’s Red River Valley was part of the Chinese state until 939 CE. Vietnamese rules adopted the Chinese approach to government, and the elite remained deeply committed to the Chinese culture. However, much of the Vietnamese culture remained in place, including its language, cockfighting, and its belief in greater roles for women. Japan’s relationship with China was interesting in that Japan was neither invaded nor conquered by China. Rather, Japan voluntarily and selectively borrowed much of China’s culture especially between the 7th and 9th centuries. Japan created a bureaucratic state modeled on China, sent large-scale missions to China to learn, and elements of Chinese culture were seen in art, architecture, education, medicine, and Chinese Buddhism to some extent. I know better understand why it is that China sometimes weighs in with its opinions on the various affairs of state for each of these nations.
I found the practice of foot binding of young girls during the Tang dynasty very disturbing. This practice involved tightly wrapping the feet of young girls, which resulted in the breaking of their foot bones and caused them great pain. This was yet another example of patriarchal behavior specific to China to restore some of the Han dynasty restrictions on women of female submission and passivity. Foot binding was associated with new images of female beauty and eroticism that emphasized a smaller, restrained and more delicate female. It certainly resulted in keeping women homebound and uninvolved! Strayer indicates that this practice lasted into the 20th century, when it was eliminated by Communist and reformist governments. I have a difficult time comprehending the philosophy behind patriarchal societies and the practice of treating women as inferior or subordinate beings. Certainly, Chinese females could perform other essential functions other than concubines, entertainers, courtesans and prostitutes! Perhaps this is a discussion for another blog!
China definitely is an up and coming world power, if it is not so already one!
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