Asian History
East Asian’s history is about the inhabitants of the Eastern part of Asia. Ancient Civilization made the eastern Asia region famous, which blossomed at that time until the present day. The countries included; China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan. New belief systems, developed and spread throughout Asia. This religion includes Buddhism, Taoism, and Islamic theology. The Eastern region also showed tremendous growth in politics, cultural practices, and trading activities. The regions were under Dynasty rule which and kept on changing boundaries due to increased inter dynasty conflicts. This paper studies the structure and functions of East Asian order (Tributary System) which was developed during “China’s Han Dynasty” and how different changed the order. Personally, what kind of order I recommend for the 21st Century. Also, the Mao Zedong launched Cultural Civilization and how modernization reforms made after his death proved his fears. Finally, the long-term impacts China’s development has on the outside world.
China’s tributary system consisted of good relationships where the mutual economic gain was the primary goal. It was made up of self-governing member states. The system had some achievement. First, it helped to shape trading activities and other foreign affairs between China and its neighbors for over 2000 years which also contributed to the History of Asia in general (Jacques, 2009). This led to China’s dynasty influencing the culture of the other countries which led to the formation of Sino centric international order where cultural diversity was encouraged.
Some changes occurred in the East Asia world order during the Mongolia Empire, Zheng He Voyage, and the Pacific War. The Mongol conquest saw China under the rule of Kublai Khan who made some changes in the tributary system (Boze, 2002). Kublai Khan took over trading activities connecting the east and the Westside thus promoting international trade. A period of for the Mongolian community in the 13th century saw the system accelerate economically and led to increased cultural diversity between China and its neighbors. Kublai Khan opened more trade routes and introduced a hierarchical political structure.
Secondly, Zheng He Voyage exploration had some positive change in the system. Zheng formed diplomatic relations with other countries which helped to strength political links between China and other tributaries. China also obtained vassal states (Jacques, 2009). The states could be used as hiding areas when there was an invasion, and it provided workforce and weapons during warfare. Zheng also brought 300 ships and 28000 from his exploration to increase China power and prevent the enemy attack. This would help to reduce the number of lives lost in the war. Pacific War also had some impacts on the tributary system. The Pacific war led to decreased trading activities due to increased insecurity. It also led to increased enmity between the involved states and many people lost their lives thus affecting the tributary system activities. Sino centric tributary system is the best system for the 21st century because it allows people to interact internationally thus promoting cultural diversity and enhancing globalization.
Zedong Mao, China’s communist leader launched a cultural revolution in 1966.
Mao’s aim was to get his authority over the Chinese government again. He believed that the communist leaders then were not good enough to lead China and the party. Mao summoned the community youths and urged them to fight ‘impurity’ in the Chinese community, and retrieve the spirit that made them to win the civil war (Schwartz & Mao, 1951). . This revolution continued in several phases until 1976 when Mao died.
After Zedong’s death, China made some reforms led by their ruler Deng Xiaoping. He referred to it as Four Modernization’. Deng allowed citizens to acquire technological skills and tourism was now acceptable. However, citizens demanded for the fifth modernization which was freedom. They wanted a democratic government and this led to increased demonstration cases in the country. Modernization also led to cultural pollution as many Chinese were now learning the Western culture. Human lives began to completely transform. People migrated from the countryside to cities, Family became more individualized, change in people’s relation with the environment among other changes. Today, China faces a challenges of dealing with social contradictions while trying to build a harmonious society. Modernization brought an end to communism which Zedong Mao strongly advocated for before his death.
China fast development has economical long-term effects on the rest of the world. First China has been producing the best engineer in the world. They travel the world to offer their services in other countries. African governments rely on Chinese engineers to construct infrastructures in their countries. Roads, railways among others help in transportation of good from one place to another. Having enough infrastructures in those countries boost their economic growth. However, this has a negative effect on the local graduates as their jobs are outsourced to foreigners leaving them to do casual jobs and stuck in poverty. Secondly, a rise in China's economy would greatly benefit the United States economy. The US highly depends on China for exports. In 2014, China exported goods and services worth $123.67 billion, which makes up 5.3% of all the exports made in the U.S. Third, creation of employment thorough foreign investments (Boze, 2002). Foreign direct investments are now allowed in many countries and when Chinese investors employ the local residents of the areas they operate in. Also increased Chinese exports in third world countries contributes to increased competition between Chinese exporters and the local producer. This lead to underdevelopment in a country as many people trust in imported goods more than their locally made products. Also, some countries become lazy to produce their own goods when they know they can export the needed commodities from China.
The tremendous growth of China also influences the world politically and socially. First, increased technology has contributed to rising in military power in many countries. More technological weapons are being invented, which help reduce warfare and protects nations from external attacks (Jacque, 2009). Second, China rise will help to provide education to African students through scholarships offered by the Chinese government with the aim to eradicate poverty. African students who study in China attain degrees in technical courses which they use to make more developments in their home countries.
In conclusion, Eastern Asia regions are countries with potential to develop. This countries were recognized in the past for their great achievement politically, economically and culturally. Modernization has become a major influence in Asia. It has seen China grow economically making it the second most influential aspect of the world’s economy. Today, Eastern Asia is more focused on Western Civilization that only few people still follow the culture and norms that were practiced during the Dynasty period.
References
Bose, S., & Jalal, A. (2002). Modern South Asia: history, culture, political economy. Routledge.
Jacques Martin. (2009). When China Rules the World the Rise of the Middle Kingdom and the
End of the Western World. New York: Penguin books.
Schwartz, B. I., & Mao, Z. (1951). Chinese communism and the rise of Mao (Vol. 4). Cambridge,
Mass.: Harvard University Press.
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