Chinese Thought And Culture example essay topic

Confucius and Mao in the Formation of Chinese Communist Ideology The People's Republic of China is officially classified a communist republic and has been for quite some time now. The Chinese Communist Party thoroughly dominates Chinese society, controlling all major governmental, economical, and cultural institutions. This formation of government can be accredited greatly to Confucius and Mao Zedong. Both of these figures significantly impacted the cultural, socialistic, and ideological beliefs in today's modern Chinese society, as we know it.

Confucius propagated his communistic beliefs through Confucianism in China during the 6th and 5th century B.C. Confucianism has traditionally been the substance of learning, the source of values, and the social code of the Chinese people. His beliefs can be viewed as a religion and also as a philosophy. More than a creed to be professed or rejected, it affected the daily life and culture of the Taoists, Buddhists, and Christians alike in China before the establishment of the Communist regime. Confucianism has also influenced part of Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.

Throughout all the Dynasties of China, Confucianism has been the basic foundational belief system to rule. During the mid 19th century, confrontations began between the Western culture and the Chinese culture. This led to a radical reconsideration of the Chinese worldview and way of life. Confucianism lost support during the Ch " ing dynasty and the Republican era began in 1911.

However, Confucianism remains embedded in Chinese culture, influencing even interpretations of Marxist and other modern religious-philosophical perspectives. Mao Zedong influenced Chinese history and Communistic thought with Maoism from 1893-1976. He not only was a principal Marxist theorist, but he was also a soldier and a statesman who led his nations Communist revolution. Mao led the Chinese Communist party from 1931 till his death and was chairman of the People's Republic of China from 1949 to 1959. He organized Communist guerilla units to defend against the Nationalists. Despite being pushed back in battle, Mao still managed to write a great piece of literature known as the "little red book".

He organized a program called, "The Great Leap Forward" in an attempt to restructure the economy along Communist lines. Both, Confucianism and Maoism influenced Chinese thought and culture. It is with these beliefs that the Chinese thrives upon and will carry throughout genealogies. How or in What Way the History of Asia Influences the Present The history of Asia influences the present day Chinese Culture and thought in numerous ways. Throughout the history of Asia culture, thought, and government has been shaped by occurrences and significant figures.

Countries such as Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and China, like any other country, have been involved with wars and revolutions that each country can learn from and obtain experience to be able to advance and keep up with other emerging nations. In South East Asia, the Age of Commerce from 1400 to 1600 greatly commercialized the nations within. This brought about trade and diversification of other cultures, including the introduction of opium to Asians. Various religious practices were also commenced during this time bringing about religious differences as well as 'The Opium Wars.

' Religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Islamic, and Christianity, etc. have contributed to the assorted religions and sub-cultures of today's society in modern day Asia. As mentioned before, the historical evidence of Asia explain the reasons, logic, and incentives for the way people live and think in the present day Asia. Of course, Different regions of Asia have different beliefs and systems of values, but all have had the experience to know what their culture is. Why and How Japan's Transition from the Tokugawa Era to the Meiji Era was Accomplished Without Violence and Revolution The very fact that the country of Japan and the citizens that preside in it did not break out into a revolution of some sort during the transition from the Tokugawa era to the Meiji era is remarkable. The domestic change of the Meiji Restoration initially lasted from 1868 to 1912. A second Meiji Restoration took place from 1871 to 1873.

The Meiji Restoration was controlled by the government, which, at the time was quite secure. The government imposed a political decentralization and autonomy that suppressed the daimyo influence. The government also inflicted a land / tax reform to increase real income during 1873 to 1899. It was during this time that due to these changes, the economy began to improve and thrive. The people were happy because the economy was doing great during that time.

The Samurai encouraged pragmatism or simplicity and support was given fro universally advanced education and conscription. It is believed that these actions please the people especially with children because the parents wanted their children to do the best that they could do in an environment that will help them. Such actions led to a Third Restoration in 1890. This restoration established the Meiji Constitution. The Meiji Constitution caused the government to make drastic changes in their structure. Changes included the consultative assemblies of government of Tokyo in 1875, the creation of perfect ural assemblies in 1878, the imperial promise in 1881, the creation of the peerage and cabinet systems, the establishment of the local government, and the two party system in 1924.

During the early part of the 1900's the Russia-Japanese War occurred and the minds of the people was more focused on the war and the Jeopardy of their entire country rather that the changes within the government that only affected the people moderately. In addition to this, individualism did not become dominant in the minds of the Japanese at this time. Instead, Imperialism was stronger in the beliefs of the citizens than any other form of thought. The Zaibatsu was the trusted 'Big Four' that the Japanese put their hopes in. Violence and Revolution was avoided at this time of change in eras, and as a result the country improved economically, governmentally, militarily, and cohesively..