Abstract
The paper asserts that in considering the changes in the primary concerns of the literati of the Song Dynasty, it is essential to take into account the historical events that shaped these concerns. The paper mentions that it is of central importance to note that the Song dynasty experienced massive changes during the early 12th century. The paper relates that the Song dynasty consists of both the Northern and the Southern Song; prior to the year 1127, the Song dynasty is referred to as the Northern Song, but by the year 1127, the Jurchen armies had conquered all of northern China, causing the Song dynasty to flee south.

From the Paper
"In considering the changes in the primary concerns of the literati of the Song Dynasty, it is essential to take into account the historical events that shaped these concerns. Here, it is of central importance that the Song dynasty experienced massive changes during the early 12th century. The Song dynasty consists of both the Northern and the Southern Song. prior to the year 1127, the Song dynasty is referred to as the Northern Song. However, by the year 1127, the Jurchen armies had conquered all of northern China, causing the Song dynasty to flee south. Thereafter, the..."

Tags:song, dynasty, literati

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that the establishment of the ruthless and coercive Qin Dynasty began in 246 BCE when the ambitious King of Qin began conquering neighboring kingdoms until he established control over a large area ranging from north of the Yangtze River to the Gobi Desert. The writer provides an overview of the Qin Shi Huang Dynasty.

From the Paper
"Once he had established control of these rival kingdoms and unified them under his rule in 221 BCE, he invalidated the laws of these conquered lands, enforced a standard set of laws throughout his new domains, and assumed the title, Shi Huang, as the first emperor of China."

Tags:dynasty, china

Abstract
This paper critiques Franz Michael's article titled "The Land System of the Heavenly Dynasty - The Taiping Rebellion: History and Documents, Volume 2: Documents and Comments" published in 1971 in Seattle and London by the University of Washington Press. In this article, the writer examines the causes for and development of the Taiping Rebellion in the mid 1800s.

From the Paper
"On the heels of the Opium War and Unequal Treaties that weakened China from the outside in, the Taiping rebellion erupted (see Appendix A). According to some researchers, this revolt was one of the bloodiest civil wars in human history killing between twenty and forty million people (Roberts, para. 1963). Due to increased foreign trade, the displacement of traditional economy decreased income due to opium importation. The Qing dynasty was unsuccessful in curbing foreign influence on China, especially with the rising influence of Westernization."

Tags:dynasty, heavenly, taiping

Abstract
This paper examines how Qin, China's First Emperor, is often credited with unifying a country divided and how history also recalls him as a brutal dictator whose heavy-handed tactics resulted in hundreds of thousand deaths, and perhaps, eventually his own sudden demise, destroying his 15-year rule. It also traces the accomplishments and failures of this short-lived dynasty.

From the Paper
"Bolstered by both an organized military and an extreme system to control the populace based on negative and positive reinforcements (Legalism), Qin Shihuang successfully ended the Warring States Period in 221BC (Wudi par. 3). Following this, he proclaimed China united. However, while Qin, China's "First Emperor," is often credited with unifying a country divided, history also recalls him as a brutal dictator who's heavy-handed tactics resulted in hundreds of thousand deaths (Schirokauer, 51), and perhaps, eventually his own "sudden" demise, destroying his 15-year rule. "

Tags:qin, dynasty, china

Abstract
This paper examines the economy of the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE). It discusses its changes, successes, failures and the influence of Wang Anshi and his reforms. The paper also explores the factors that led to increased economic growth.

Tags:Song Dynasty, China, Northern Song, Southern Song, economics, Wang Anshi

Abstract
This paper examines the factors and events that led to the demise of the Qing Dynasty in China, the nation's last imperial dynasty. First, the paper describes the impact of modernization on China and how this weakened the Qing's grip on the country. This is followed by a discussion on how the Qing maintained its strength and authority despite being more open to outside influences. This very openness is what the paper cites as leading to the dynasty's downfall, along with China's interaction with the rest of the world.

From the Paper
"The Qing Dynasty would be a final occupation of the court that would last for three centuries, particularly due to its almost total authority over a theretofore splintered and factionalized landscape. The political unification of China under the auspices of its last dynasty would be based upon the powerful influence of the Manchu emperors in creating political stability. By courting elite representation in all parts of China, the northern-based throne would bring the intellectual and artistic core banished to the South during times of Mongolian rule back into political and cultural participation. The result would be a return to the values of traditionalist and orthodox intellectualist values."

Tags:imperialist dynasties, emperors, nobility, enlightenment

Abstract
The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial regime and during its rule, China went through a major transition from the traditional to modern-day Chinese life. The paper examines the Qing Dynasty and examines the methods used to expand its control over ever increasing areas of China and its neighbors. The paper also examines the dynasty's political and commercial relations with other states and its sinocentric" policy where it considered itself the center of the world. The paper also briefly looks at the factors that brought about the downfall of the dynasty and the opening of China to the outside world.

From the Paper
"Today, visitors from all over the world are amazed to see the Great Wall of China. They talk about its remarkable distance of over 2,100 miles and the scores of years that it took to complete it at the cost of how many people. Yet, the wall is much more than bricks and mortar. It is symbol of China's blocking out the outside world and isolating itself against the West. During the Qing Dynasty, the empire isolated itself from the rest of the world because of its initial strategy to maintain much of the Ming structure and its resulting ethnocentric view of the world and tributary system, the need to keep its multi-ethnic nation whole, and the focus on the safety, wealth and prosperity of its people through barriers against infiltrating foreign powers. Wearing these ethnocentric blinders eventually led to the Qing regimes' decline as the European powers came into the country with a very different mindset."

Tags:ming, imperial, confucian, tibet, emperors, mongol, manchu, trade, canton

Abstract
This paper discusses how the shortcomings of the Ming Dynasty cannot be blamed on the slave system of eunuchs, but rather on the dynasty itself. It explains how the eunuchs were the slaves of the emperor who carried out his designs and thus were victims in themselves. Though some rose to high power and wealth, most did not. It further discusses how more attention should be paid to the important role eunuchs played in keeping the dynasty alive for nearly three centuries, rather than why they brought the dynasty down.

From the Paper
"Throughout ancient Greece, Rome, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia eunuchs have served a wide range of functions, from palace menials to imperial spies. The dynasties in China, in particular, have used eunuchs to perform various duties throughout their more than one thousand years of rule. The use of these castrati was so ingrained in their cultural system that even after disloyal and ambitious eunuchs brought ends to the Han and Tang dynasties, the Chinese never abolished the practice. The Chinese emperors preferred eunuchs for several reasons. Men, especially after the dawn of Confucianism on Chinese society, expected from women their utmost purity and devotion. To adhere to these Confucian principles, Emperors originally employed eunuchs to oversee and manage the hundreds of imperial concubines, making certain no other men, even relatives, come in contact with them, assuring a pure lineage. Emperors also favored eunuchs because they, unable to have children, supposedly would not covet political power or wealth, which in turn they would pass on to their sons. Having no motive for wealth and no ambition for position, eunuchs would have no desire selling palace secrets or conniving with potential usurpers. Ideally the castrati would thus demonstrate absolute loyalty to his employer, the emperor."

Tags:emperor, castrati

Abstract
This paper explains that, after the period of dis-unification, Yan Chien proclaimed himself Emperor Wen-ti initiating the Sui dynasty, which was modeled after the earlier Han dynasty. The author points out that the Sui dynasty centralized Chinese power and returned an air of legitimacy to the imperial house; the principles of governance perfected during the Sui Dynasty remained ingrained in imperial China until its dissolution nearly 1,300 years later. The paper relates that Wen-ti chose to demolish the former capitol Ch'ang-an and rebuild it with the help of distinguished architect and engineer Yu-wen K'ai; Ch'ang-an would become not only the center of Chinese political thought but also the center of the Universe, presided over by the "Son of Heaven".

From the Paper
"A man of great piety, Wen-ti actively nurtured the construction of Buddhist and Taoist temples and the recovering and re-copying of both religious and secular literature. To further the goals of unification Wen-ti issued decrees on the, "purification of Chinese literary style" (Wright 10). The Emperor offered charters to those willing to build Buddhist temples and both Wen-ti and his empress were to construct several, including one dedicated to her honor after her death in 603 CE. It is said that this temple was to house a tooth of the Buddha brought back by the pilgrim Fa-hsien from India in the fifth century (Wright 89). However pious, Wen-ti and his advisors also saw organized Buddhism as a force that needed constant monitoring in order to retain the Emperor's divine right of pronouncement on all matters of morality and public policy."

Tags:reform, governance, ch'ang-an, literature, legitimacy

Abstract
This paper explains that the Choson dynasty is marked by the creation of the Korean alphabetic script, the establishment of the yangban, a new aristocracy, and a shift to Confucianism. The author points out that during the Choson Dynasty, many events happened in the West: Columbus discovered America, the Protestant Reformation divided Europe, and modern nationalism resulted in powerful states like Germany, Italy, and Russia and the Industrial Revolution. The author believes that the Japanese domination changed the unique culture of Korea in many ways, basically robbing the people of the Choson Dynasty of their own ways.

From the Paper
"In addition, the Korean people began to lose interest in the study of martial arts. The study of martial arts, including weapons, was banned to everyone but the military. The HwaRangDo, whose roots lay in the Buddhist teachings, eventually lost its importance among young people.
While Korea was under Japanese control, many things changed. All competitive sports and martial arts were forbidden. Only the military, which was now under Japanese control, could practice martial arts (Lancaster, 2002). SooBakGi was practiced secretly and soon changed its name again to SooBakDo. Japanese combat arts were first seen in Korea during this time. The people of Korea showed a great deal of interest in this type of fighting."

Tags:japan, alphabet, confucianism, martial, soobakgi