Ch 19, 20, 21
I found the Taiping uprising hypocritical. The leaders rejected Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism and implemented Christianity as their faith. Hong, the leader "proclaimed himself the younger brother of Jesus, sent to cleanse the world of demons to establish a "heavenly" kingdom of great peace." This mentality of establishing peace is the basis of Confucianism and the Mandate of Heaven. Therefore, it made no sends to me that the "brother of Jesus" was establishing peace in a society that was based on balance and peace.
In the Ottoman Empire the gender issues that were brewing were not directly addressed but they did open educational doors for women. Programs were established in Istanbul for Midwives, Secondary schools were established and later, a teacher training college. These programs were established to provide greater opportunities for women to strengthen the state. In 1908, the Turks established more reforms to benefit the greater good of their society. Secularization of schools, courts and law codes and established Turkish as the official language of the empire Women were allowed to go to schools and wear "Western Civilization" clothing and abandon their veils.
I found it interesting that China rejected its religious traditions (Confucias) and the Ottoman empire maintained its Islamic foundation. Islamic religion is still very strong today and the fact that it has only grown and expanded shows how strong the Islamic religion is.
I think its important to note the female persuasion and insight. In Japan, it was said that the "oppression of women was an obstacle to the country's modernization". A leading feminist, KiShida Toshiko went on a speaking tour and spoke to audiences about equality. She said "Only equality and equal rights, she argued, would allow Japan "to build a new society." Japan must rid itself of the ancient habit of "respecting men and despising women."
Japan was different from the Chinese and Ottoman empires because they were able to establish an export to textiles, newspapers and electricity with their own resources and no massive foreign debt.
In 1922, Hitler claimed revenge because Germany had lost the war. He said " It cannot be that two million Germans should have fallen in vain....No, we do not have pardon, we demand- vengeance." These words would haunt the world 20 years later when WW II began. It always shames me to read about Hitler and the horrible things he did. He was not the only horrible dictator but his actions and his mentality of superiority and the Holocaust haunt and disturb me.
WW II was planned and it included the AXIS of power (Germany, Italy and Japan) vs. the allies U.S., Britain and the Soviet Union. The war was based on revenge and dissatisfaction. The book states that WW II was" the most destructive conflict in World History, with total deaths estimated at around 60 million, some six times that of World War I. More than half of the casualties were civilians." The reason there were so many more casualties in this war than prior wars was the new technologies of warfare(heavy bombers, jet fighters, missiles, atomic weapons). Further, whole cities and populations became targets and everyone was considered the enemy.
In closing, the role of women was crucial during war time. they stepped in and took the jobs and supported their families while the men were fighting in the war. It is important to note how resilient and adaptable women were. In spite of the hideous treatment they received, especially the intolerable acts of rape and violence, women still had a pivotal role during war times and kept the country afloat during crisis.
Communism emerges! Karl Marx inspired European socialism in the 19th century. His ideas were that we had an industrial world, economic and political equality and the elimination of private property. Further, gender equality was vital.
Again the role of women in a communist society emerges. Communism wanted to liberate women. In Russia, women were awarded full political equity and personal choices such as marriage, divorce, keeping their maiden names in a marriage, and pregnancy leave. In 1919, an organization called Zhenotdel emerged. Radical female leaders organized conferences for women and trained them in trades like running a daycare, medical clinics and publishing. It was short lived however, very impactful. In China, women were gaining rights as well. Marriage was a choice and so was divorce. Women in China began to work outside of the home . Again, this was short lived but once women got a taste of this "freeing" lifestyle it paved the way to fight for gender equality.
Communism had its challenges and flaws. The fear that enemies would undermine their society. Based on history or fear many were arrested and sentenced to death or extreme labor conditions. This was called the gulag. Gulag was a labor camp known for harsh conditions. In China, it was a public process that resulted in the organization of the Red Guards. This group attacked any threats or anyone considered an enemy. In the last 20 years of the twentieth century we have seen the decline of Communism. In China in 1976, in Eastern Europe in 1989, and the end of communism in 1991 in the Soviet Union.
In the Ottoman Empire the gender issues that were brewing were not directly addressed but they did open educational doors for women. Programs were established in Istanbul for Midwives, Secondary schools were established and later, a teacher training college. These programs were established to provide greater opportunities for women to strengthen the state. In 1908, the Turks established more reforms to benefit the greater good of their society. Secularization of schools, courts and law codes and established Turkish as the official language of the empire Women were allowed to go to schools and wear "Western Civilization" clothing and abandon their veils.
I found it interesting that China rejected its religious traditions (Confucias) and the Ottoman empire maintained its Islamic foundation. Islamic religion is still very strong today and the fact that it has only grown and expanded shows how strong the Islamic religion is.
I think its important to note the female persuasion and insight. In Japan, it was said that the "oppression of women was an obstacle to the country's modernization". A leading feminist, KiShida Toshiko went on a speaking tour and spoke to audiences about equality. She said "Only equality and equal rights, she argued, would allow Japan "to build a new society." Japan must rid itself of the ancient habit of "respecting men and despising women."
Japan was different from the Chinese and Ottoman empires because they were able to establish an export to textiles, newspapers and electricity with their own resources and no massive foreign debt.
In 1922, Hitler claimed revenge because Germany had lost the war. He said " It cannot be that two million Germans should have fallen in vain....No, we do not have pardon, we demand- vengeance." These words would haunt the world 20 years later when WW II began. It always shames me to read about Hitler and the horrible things he did. He was not the only horrible dictator but his actions and his mentality of superiority and the Holocaust haunt and disturb me.
WW II was planned and it included the AXIS of power (Germany, Italy and Japan) vs. the allies U.S., Britain and the Soviet Union. The war was based on revenge and dissatisfaction. The book states that WW II was" the most destructive conflict in World History, with total deaths estimated at around 60 million, some six times that of World War I. More than half of the casualties were civilians." The reason there were so many more casualties in this war than prior wars was the new technologies of warfare(heavy bombers, jet fighters, missiles, atomic weapons). Further, whole cities and populations became targets and everyone was considered the enemy.
In closing, the role of women was crucial during war time. they stepped in and took the jobs and supported their families while the men were fighting in the war. It is important to note how resilient and adaptable women were. In spite of the hideous treatment they received, especially the intolerable acts of rape and violence, women still had a pivotal role during war times and kept the country afloat during crisis.
Communism emerges! Karl Marx inspired European socialism in the 19th century. His ideas were that we had an industrial world, economic and political equality and the elimination of private property. Further, gender equality was vital.
Again the role of women in a communist society emerges. Communism wanted to liberate women. In Russia, women were awarded full political equity and personal choices such as marriage, divorce, keeping their maiden names in a marriage, and pregnancy leave. In 1919, an organization called Zhenotdel emerged. Radical female leaders organized conferences for women and trained them in trades like running a daycare, medical clinics and publishing. It was short lived however, very impactful. In China, women were gaining rights as well. Marriage was a choice and so was divorce. Women in China began to work outside of the home . Again, this was short lived but once women got a taste of this "freeing" lifestyle it paved the way to fight for gender equality.
Communism had its challenges and flaws. The fear that enemies would undermine their society. Based on history or fear many were arrested and sentenced to death or extreme labor conditions. This was called the gulag. Gulag was a labor camp known for harsh conditions. In China, it was a public process that resulted in the organization of the Red Guards. This group attacked any threats or anyone considered an enemy. In the last 20 years of the twentieth century we have seen the decline of Communism. In China in 1976, in Eastern Europe in 1989, and the end of communism in 1991 in the Soviet Union.
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