The Transition from the Republic of China to China - Essay Example

Transition from Republic of China to China Considering what other people perceive as being Chinese citizenship is important as opposed to what Chinese perceive themselves. Some of the ancient practices by Chinese people have faced stiff rejection especially over the course of twentieth century by citizens who are believed to be from China. During the empire rulings, traditional rituals and practices were common among Chinese communities but cultural erosion has been greatly evident especially during the first half of twentieth century. In the nineteenth century, Chinese were seen to uphold and respect their cultural practices such as marriage and burial rituals. However, things have significantly changed during the twentieth century where traditions have been greatly rejected by the Chinese. Instead, they are turning to modern life by abandoning indigenous ways of dressing and practices for the modern way of life. This paper will try to describe the meaning of a nation according to empires, outline the revolution of making a new citizen in China, implications of the same, the techniques used as well as participants of the revolution process. The nation of China was long time ago composed of small communities until when transformation took place over the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The kind of leadership that was in place was quite different to the current one since centralization was in practice as opposed to decentralized leadership practiced today. The ruler of the state was an emperor the Son of Heaven who held the central position of cosmos (Harrison 2). Besides the emperor, there existed bureaucracy education with characteristics that clearly portrayed existence of modern China. However, it is worth noting that, the emperor was then perceived as world but not as a country. Nevertheless, this did not mean that the Qing courts could not recognize the presence of other nations since they could have negotiation with foreigners only that the negotiations could never be allowed to erase Chinese culture. Transition is no longer embraced by everyone especially illiterate ones, for example, primitive people could eat a little human fresh but later after realizing that it was not right, some stopped the ordeal completely while others behaved as if they had stopped but still they could eat human fresh (Lu and Yang 9). The same happed during China transition where some people were ready to abandon culture and embrace new life style while others could not. However, failure to wholly allow foreign culture have impact on the Republic of China economy, further lagged them behind in terms of development as opposed to colonial governments that, accumulated diverse culture in order to strengthen the economy.  The concept of new Chinese identity grew significantly during the twentieth century especially when new leaders instilled new leadership skills that did not only preserve the tradition but as well endorsed modern life style. The idea of forming nations was imported in South Asia from colonial masters with an intention to form considerable states rather than “imagined communities” where power and authority was to be decentralized. Understanding the meaning of rituals sparked mixed reactions in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries resulting to relentless protests and demonstration of China students as they sought to be freed from ancient leadership. Initially, rituals were seen as unifying factor but for the modern generation it was seen as a tool for biasing peoples’ power (Lam 36). However, three hundred years later, the successor of the Qing dynasty modernized the early Republic of China but with consideration of the cultural practices. The successor came up with some reforms that allowed people to wear Western cloths and hats, use of bow instead of kowtow and the adoption of high etiquettes. The issue of population was also considered by introduction of China birth program to improve life of young girls and formation of manageable population structure (Greenhalgh and Winckler 2005, pp. 20-21). The new reforms have from since, made a significant transformation of Chinese identity from ethnicity and nationalist to formation of a sovereign state where authority is not biased. Transition from Republic of China to a nation of China erupted riots from students especially who went destroying the offices and buildings of the then leadership. Cau Rulin the minister of communication in the Republic of China watched students destroying his house as they had took to street to demonstrate on the end of nationalist governance. Students had gathered to hear embarrassing statement at Tian’anmen that, China had already signed a treaty to be under imperialism after World War II and that their power was to be delegated to Japan imperialist (Mitter 6). This further spirited the demonstration as they demanded justice for China by burning Cao Rulin house who was believed to be a close ally of the Japanese government. The chaos marked a memorable day referred to as “May Fourth” which created a platform to liberate China from imperialism. The day of “May Fourth” is still memorable in the history of China and it has been introduced in their curriculum in order to bring a sense of appreciation to the fallen soldiers who fought for the China’s liberation. Although demonstration did not emerge spontaneously, eventually they bore fruits, since China regained power from the imperialists. In 1919, China started to gain ground as a sovereign nation by appointing Duan Qirui’s as the Prime Minister who further led China to becoming a member of international community. China had to undertake some serious steps to see the imperial rule come to an end, a number of techniques were employed to enable China achieve its vision. The core approach that enabled China end imperial ruling is emphasize on the end of clan and village authority and instead have a democratic governance. They also fought against abolishment of paying taxes levied by the imperial authorities to sustain themselves. The move weakened imperialism since they lacked adequate finance to facilitate their activities hence leading to their decline. The peasants went ahead to break old rules that could not allow women and poor find way to temples (Schram and Nancy 462). This created equality among citizens regardless of their gender or financial status. Another technique used was spreading propagandas all over on how modern leadership would improve the poor and women way of life since imperial leadership had totally side-lined poor and women in the society. Revolution to new China state also came as a result of banning and prohibiting peasant association which for great deal had deprived peoples’ freedom. Finally, dream of obtaining a new nation of China has been boosted by relentless efforts by the peasants to build roads and infrastructure in order to make China competitive especially in the international arena. However, most of the Chinese citizens did not have adequate knowledge thus they suffered for long under the leadership of imperialism. Sensitizing need for education speeded their quest for liberty by, educating illiterate and those that were in the interior on the importance and need to consider both modern life and cultural practices since they were all beneficial for their wellbeing. Despite, university and college students who were knowledgeable about their rights took to street to claim for liberation of China from imperialism bondage. They took courageous move to destroy the then government officials’ property such as those of Cau Rulin in order to see their rights granted. It is worth noting that even the peasants contributed significantly by developing infrastructure, which could later help China become a strong nation in the international arena. Despite the challenges encountered, China can now comfortably enjoy fruits of a democratic nation after a long way of struggle. In conclusion, justice and equity has been enhanced after the end of imperialism by ensuring fair treatment regardless of whether rich or poor. The need to end communism has improved China economy a great deal. Despite the fact that, the process was chaotic, it is triumph for the current generation as they reap fruits of their fore fathers who fought out imperialism. Additionally, if it were not the courage of the college students and efforts of peasants, China could still be struggling under the bondage of imperialism. Their efforts are highly regarded to the fact that, “May Fourth” is in China’s books of history in a bid to recognize their courageous actions that have seen China come its current position. Works Cited Greenhalgh, Susan and Edwin A. Winckler. Governing Chinas Population: From Leninist to Neoliberal Biopolitics. Stanford, Calif: Stanford Univ. Press, 2005. Print. Harrison, Henrietta. The Making of the Republican Citizen: Political Ceremonies and Symbols in China, 1911-1929. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999. Print. Lam, Tong. A Passion for Facts: Social Surveys and the Construction of the Chinese Nation-State, 1900-1949. California: University of California Press, 2011. Print. Mitter, Rana. A Bitter Revolution: Chinas Struggle with the Modern World. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004. Print. Schram, Stuart R. and Hodes Nancy J. Maos Road to Power: Revolutionary Writings 1912-1949. Armonk, N.Y: M. E. Sharpe, 1992. Print. Lu, Hsuen, and Hsien-i Yang. The Complete Stories of Lu Xun [lu Hsün, D.i. Chou Shu-Jen]. Bloomington: Indiana Univ. Pr, 1981. Print. Read More