Abstract
The paper refers to the Opium trade and Opium Wars as a collective tragedy whose obverse was the arrival of new thinking to challenge the corrupt Manchu status quo. The paper offers an account of missionary areas, RC and Protestant, new ideas, social reform, literacy and inspiration for the Taiping movement. The paper discusses whether overall the Christian influence is effective or not and if it brought new ideas to sectors in need of support and hope for the future. The paper stresses that it is a significant period in the modern religious history of China.

From the Paper
"The Opium Wars of 1839-1842, and 1856-1860 are discussed as tragic experiences in modern Chinese history. However, in this paper, it is possible to see conflict as having some beneficial results. In the aftermath of the 1st Opium War of 1839-1842, the Chinese were forced to concede that the old imperial system could not contend with European power. After the second Opium War of 1856-1860, convenient ideas of being a superior civilization were put to rest, as China became inundated with new ideas as distributed by expanded European trading privileges, the arrival of Christian missionaries, and the rise of Hong Kong as a window on the outside world."

Tags:opiumwars, christianmiss, taiping

Abstract
In his book "Everyday Life in Early Imperial China During the Han Period", Michael Loewe provides us with a social history that contributes much to our understanding of China during this period. We see an emerging picture that is one where a variety of contemporary communities developed independently in various parts of China. Loewe also shows how far these cultures influenced each other and also how they influenced later cultures in China.

Abstract
The paper examines the degree to which a range of literature characters in "The Dream of the Red Chamber" manage to find fulfillment in terms of spirituality or sensuality. The paper also provides Spence's account of women. The paper makes a reference to more recent treatments of women in China, as per feminist studies, in contrast with what these works show us that is not always apparent in Ching culture.

From the Paper
"There is a tendency in the West to view Chinese women as continually oppressed by their society, never able to find self-fulfillment in a civilization that did not value them highly, or provide them with many choices. However, in examining a variety of literature, one finds that this was not always the case. There was considerable room for women to find self-expression and self-development, within the confines of the surrounding society. The works below also indicate a change in society in the 18th century, the Ching dynasty's reform taking effect but one sees, in most interesting ways, the pull of the past, too."

Tags:feng, poets, redchamber

Abstract
This essay reports on the unification of China during the early imperial period, ranging from the Chin/Qin to the Tang dynasty. It discusses the efforts that each successive dynasty made to hold the nation together. The writer discusses that politically, the nation was unified during periods of strong dynasties, and otherwise fell to chaos. The writer concludes that the economic and cultural development largely followed the dynastic stability.

Tags:china, unification, early

Abstract
This paper discusses how China has seen a number of changes in terms of history and power over the years. It examines the changing nature of these associations and explores the relationship between history and political authority from the Shang Dynasty to the Western Han. It also shows how that, while changes occurred in the political-administrative area of China's history, many of the philosophies established were instrumental in setting a pattern for future empires.

Outline
Introduction
Political Power
The Shang Dynasty
Western and Eastern Zhou Dynasties
First Imperial Period
The Han Dynasty
Shamans and Ancient China
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Daoism, or the study of nature's patterns, has been in existence since the earliest Chinese eras. Historians and scholars dispute the concept that "these ideas did not evolve with time like human beings are supposed to have, but that they sprung, full-formed, in a culture that long preceded the historical land of "China," even the early China that scratched their versions of these earlier ideas into the famous "oracle bone" (home.attbi.com/~piannone/o-s/ch-innerhist.html)." Feudal governments in North China, which existed during the era of the oracle bones, were different from the original daoists. During this era, fortune telling was popular among kings and queens, and their court sorcerers were educated in rumor."

Tags:imperial, period, zhou, daoism

Abstract
This paper analyzes the incredible transformations in its movement from the imperial period to the tumultuous twentieth century in China, further considering the impact of its wars, revolutions and contemporary economic reforms. Additionally, the changes in the social roles of its female population are also addressed. The paper concludes that while in many respects Chinese society remains deeply conservative in its definition of female social roles, its recent engagement in the globalized economic community is fostering the most revolutionary changes in female social roles to date.

From the Paper
"While China has experienced incredible transformations in its movement from the imperial period to the tumultuous twentieth century with its wars, revolutions and contemporary economic reforms, the changes in the social roles of its female population have been no less radical. This paper will, in exploring changes in the social roles and gendered identities of Chinese women throughout this period, argue the thesis that..."

Tags:china, women, change

Abstract
This paper reviews "Understanding China: A Guide to China's Economy, History and Political Structure" by John Bryan Starr. This paper discusses China's ancient culture and its emergence as one of the foremost powers in the modern world. This paper focuses on China's recent admission to the World Trade Organization and as well as its economy which is set to become the largest in the world within the next few years. The writer of this paper examines China's political history and contends that in spite of the country's numerous transformations, the structure of the government is today fundamentally identical with what it was under the later imperial dynasties. Today, there is no emperor at the top, but instead a small committee of the leading members of various political parties who hold much the same position. Although there had been significant changes in China's economy, few political changes transpired. The communists still hold a monopoly of power and although its economic policies scarcely seem to be communist anymore, it does not intend to relax its political grip.

From the Paper
"Starr contends that China remains one of the most self-contained and hence inscrutable countries in the world. It has an ancient culture of major historical importance, and has been emerging as one of the foremost powers of the modern world. It is the third largest country in the world and certainly the most populous, with about one-fifth of the world's total population. Modern communications make it as easy to reach Beijing from London or New York as it is to get to Singapore or Nairobi. Yet China remains little known and poorly understood; few foreigners learn its language or study its history and culture. Although foreign trade and tourism have increased dramatically in the last decade, they are only very slowly leading to any changes in foreign perceptions of China."

Tags:china, asia, economy, history, culture, communism

Abstract
The paper analyzes the three phases of the Self-Strengthening Movement of 19th century for their potent influence on the slow rise of China as a major world power in modern times. The paper explains that with developments often being slow due to the gap of feudal and modern economic policies that were brought by the British in the early 1860s, China failed to adapt to western styles of development until the 20th century.

Tags:china, land, politics

Abstract
The paper discusses how for a brief time in the latter half of the 19th century, there was a huge increase in communications and cordial relations between Great Britain and China. However, this had nothing to do with friendship, or any kind of warm relationships. The paper explains that on the side of China, diplomacy seemed the wisest course of action for the faltering Ch'ing dynasty. On the British side, diplomacy was pursued purely in the interests of commerce. These two assertions can clearly be shown by examining relations between the two countries during the time period 1860 to 1864.

Tags:china, britain, 1860s

Abstract
A concept paper examining the involvement of the United States in the Indo-China opium trade. The paper compares American activity in the opium trade with China to that of the British.

From the Paper
"Generally the opium trade which so negatively affected China is recalled as a British outrage. Historians Geoffrey Ward and Fredric D. Grant pointed out, however, that American mercantile interests also benefited significantly from the opium trade, including a young man named Warren Delano, whose grandson Franklin Delano Roosevelt would ultimately become president of the United States. It is the purpose of this concept paper to identify somewhat broadly American involvement in the Indo-China opium trade and to consider..."

Tags:opium, China, United States