Zheng He

It is 1434 and I am an advisor to the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Zheng He is an exceptional explorer from China. China built him around 300 ships to create the biggest and most powerful fleet ever. He made voyages to places like India, Africa, and the Middle East. He got exposure to culture from all over the world. With his fleet China controlled the seas and could have dominated the entire world. Then the emperor insisted he be brought back to China and his fleet destroyed. I personally disagreed but I could not argue with the emperor. I saw it as such a waste of potential. The fleet was destroyed and China looked inward rather than out. Rigid loyalty and tradition set in and forever will weaken China. The door of opportunity was open for Chinese dominance and it was slammed shut when the fleet was destroyed.

 "Admiral Zheng He." University of Oregon | . N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2010. <http://pages.uoregon.edu/inaasim/Hist%20487/Spring%2006/Biography%20of%20Admiral%20Zheng%20He.htm>.

Carleton, Robert. "Ancient China." World History A. Seaholm. Room A207, Birmingham. 10 Oct. 2010. Class lecture.

Mongols take China

The Mongols are a nomadic people. They are excellent horsemen. They are led by Ghengis Khan, universal ruler. He is a ruthless soldier and leader. In 1214, he united the Mongol tribes and led his horseback archers into Northern China and controlled it. It is 1225 and I am living in Southern China. In order to keep the Mongols from dissolving into Chinese society only Mongols are allowed to hold government positions. Even with the Great Wall Northern China was taken over by the Mongols. The people of Southern China hope to reclaim Northern China but the Mongols are too strong.

Invictus. "The Mongol Empire - All Empires." All Empires: Online History Community. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2010. <http://www.allempires.com/article/index.php?q=The_Mongol_Empire>.

Carleton, Robert. "Ancient China." World History A. Seaholm. Room A207, Birmingham. 10 Oct. 2010. Class lecture.

Sung Dynasty

It’s 978 in China. I am a rice farmer. The Sung Dynasty has reunited China again. A new form of rice has been brought back to China from the Silk Road. I am now able to produce two crops a year instead of one. I am able to sell one of the crops and I make much more money than I did before. I am now able to buy more and help the economy. This rice has led to a surplus that leads to commerce and arts being brought to China. Because of the distance of trade paper money is now being used because it is much easier to transport. There are two different social classes in society during this time. There are the Gentry, who are the scholars, and the Peasantry who are everyone else. China has a very rich culture and has invented many things such as porcelain, gunpowder, block printing, and the mechanical clock.

Carleton, Robert. "Ancient China." World History A. Seaholm. Room A207, Birmingham. 10 Oct. 2010. Class lecture.

Tang Dynasty

I’m a common person living in China in the year 625. The Tang Dynasty is currently in control. Li Yuan is the emperor. Prior to the Tang, the Sui Dynasty was in power. The Sui built the Grand Canal. The Grand Canal is a major trade route. The Grand Canal extends 1200 miles from Hangzhou in the South to Beijing in the North. This strengthened China and allowed us to trade and be more unified with the rest of China. Now that the Tang Dynasty is in power Li Yuan is expanding Chinese lands through conquest. The Tang rulers have returned the Han style of government based on Confucianism. They have enlarged civil service so the best minds in society will end up in the government positions. There are mixed emotions about these systems throughout China. Poetry and the arts are very popular around China. There are many poets and artisans. By far the most popular of these are the poets Li Po and Du Fu. They are very famous.

Carleton, Robert. "Ancient China." World History A. Seaholm. Room A207, Birmingham. 10 Oct. 2010. Class lecture.

Buddhism comes to China

I am a Buddhist in China in the year 619AD. The Tang Dynasty is currently in power. Buddhism has been spreading from India for many years. The trade routes spread not only goods but also religious ideas.  Trade is the way that Buddhism makes its breakthrough in China and spreads throughout the world. After many years Buddhism is gradually becoming more influential in our culture. The Tang Dynasty is making an effort to make Buddhism a legitimately popular religion in China. This is a big movement and many people are converting. I think this is an important thing for our culture. A Buddhist Monk named Xuan Zang went to seek the Buddhist Sutra in India. After enduring a long and difficult journey, he brought back a total of 657 sutras for which the Big Wild Goose Pagoda was especially built to preserve. In the process of translating the classical sutras, Buddhist monks gradually formed a mature system of ideology. This is a big movement and will affect many people in China.

"China Tang Dynasty Culture, Religion, Poem, Novel, Architecture." China Travel Agency, China Tours, Beijing Tour Packages,24/7 Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2010. <http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/tang/culture-religion.htm>.

Han Dynasty

I am a Buddhist in China in the year 619AD. The Tang Dynasty is currently in power. Buddhism has been spreading from India for many years. The trade routes spread not only goods but also religious ideas.  Trade is the way that Buddhism makes its breakthrough in China and spreads throughout the world. After many years Buddhism is gradually becoming more influential in our culture. The Tang Dynasty is making an effort to make Buddhism a legitimately popular religion in China. This is a big movement and many people are converting. I think this is an important thing for our culture. A Buddhist Monk named Xuan Zang went to seek the Buddhist Sutra in India. After enduring a long and difficult journey, he brought back a total of 657 sutras for which the Big Wild Goose Pagoda was especially built to preserve. In the process of translating the classical sutras, Buddhist monks gradually formed a mature system of ideology. This is a big movement and will affect many people in China.

"China Tang Dynasty Culture, Religion, Poem, Novel, Architecture." China Travel Agency, China Tours, Beijing Tour Packages,24/7 Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2010. <http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/tang/culture-religion.htm>.

Great Wall

I am a common person in China. The year is 222 BC. The emperor Shi Huangdi recently started the incredible construction project. He has ordered a Great Wall to be built across our northern border to protect against invaders. The people of China appreciate the extra protection but wonder if it’s worthwhile. The project comes at great cost to the people. People all around me are being taken from their homes to work on the wall. Those who go never return. So many people die from overexertion, starvation, and dehydration. Many who die are just buried in the wall. If they complain they are beaten or killed. These cruel actions are making tensions rise and the people hate the government. All around people despise the emperor. Tensions are rising and I feel that a revolution is imminent.

Carleton, Robert. "Ancient China." World History A. Seaholm. Room A207, Birmingham. 10 Oct. 2010. Class lecture.

Lao Zi and Taoism

I’m living in China in 550 BC. I am a follower of Taoism. Taoism is a new concept and many people think I am wrong for following this new practice. The goal of Taoism is to take away anything that may distract someone from understanding the Tao. As I understand it the Tao is an unmeasured inconceivable concept for everything that exists. The sage of this new practice is Lao Zi. He dedicated his life to balancing his inner spirits. He is a great model for the Taoist community. Taoism is a fast growing religion and I think it will have a great influence on the future of China.

"XIAMEN MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT, P.R.China." XIAMEN MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT, P.R.China. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2010. <http://english.xm.gov.cn/study

Confucius

It is 496 BC. I am a follower of Confucius. Confucius was a government official but he was forced to resign because his ideas contradicted those of the governments. He now wanders throughout China teaching his ideas. Confucius promotes being good. He especially says rulers need to be good so the people will have an example to follow. He is not always accepted where he travels because not everyone agrees with his ideas. He also teaches that as long as the rulers are just, the people need to respect their authority. Family is a huge concept of Confucius’ teachings. Confucius focuses on 5 relationships, Li, Jen, Te, Wen, and Chung Su. I believe Confucius’ teachings will one day be recognized for how important they are.

Carleton, Robert. "Ancient China." World History A. Seaholm. Room A207, Birmingham. 10 Oct. 2010. Class lecture.

Smith, Huston. The World's Religions (Plus). New York: Harperone, 2008. Print.

Unification of China

It is 225 BC. I am a common person living in China. The Qin Dynasty has recently come to power here in China. The Qin Dynasty came to power out of the time of the warring states. At the time the Chu were in power. After conquering the other states a legalist form of government was put in place and the leader declared himself Shi Huangdi, the first emperor.  Emperors are the ruling system of the future. Our dynasty is the first to unify all of China. Shi Huangdi is a ruthless ruler. He tolerates nothing. The people despise him. He is sure to lose the mandate of heaven and I am sure a revolution will follow.

Carleton, Robert. "Ancient China." World History A. Seaholm. Room A207, Birmingham. 10 Oct. 2010. Class lecture.