QE List FINAL Flashcards
Kenneth Pomeranz, “The Great Divergence: China, Europe, and the Making of the Modern World Economy” (2021)
Argues that the “Great Divergence” in economic development between Europe and China in the 19th century was not due to inherent European superiority or Chinese stagnation.
Suggests that Europe’s advantages, such as coal deposits and access to New World resources, were contingent and fortuitous rather than inevitable.
Challenges Eurocentric narratives of the rise of the West and the Industrial Revolution.
Emphasizes the similarities in economic development between China and Europe up until the late 18th century.
Highlights the importance of global trade networks and ecological factors in shaping the divergent paths of economic development.
Argues that the “Great Divergence” was a relatively late and sudden phenomenon, rather than the result of long-term cultural or institutional differences.
Contributes to the “California School” of economic history, which emphasizes the role of contingency and global connections in the making of the modern world economy.
Key terms:
Great Divergence
Eurocentric narratives
Industrial Revolution
Global trade networks
Ecological factors
California School
Timothy Cheek, “The Intellectual in Modern Chinese History” (2015)
Provides a comprehensive overview of the role of intellectuals in modern Chinese history, from the late Qing period to the present day.
Argues that Chinese intellectuals have played a crucial role in shaping the course of modern Chinese history, from the Republican revolution to the Communist era.
Examines the changing relationship between intellectuals and the state, and how intellectuals have navigated the tensions between their social and political responsibilities.
Highlights the diversity of intellectual thought in modern China, including liberalism, socialism, conservatism, and nationalism.
Discusses the impact of key historical events, such as the May Fourth Movement, the Communist revolution, and the Cultural Revolution, on Chinese intellectual life.
Analyzes the challenges faced by Chinese intellectuals in the post-Mao era, including the tensions between intellectual freedom and political control.
Argues that understanding the role of intellectuals is crucial for making sense of the complexities and contradictions of modern Chinese history.
Key terms:
Chinese intellectuals
May Fourth Movement
Communist revolution
Cultural Revolution
Post-Mao era
Intellectual freedom
Political control
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Cheek’s book, which provides a comprehensive and nuanced overview of the role of intellectuals in modern Chinese history. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on modern Chinese intellectual history. Cheek’s book is an essential reference for understanding the complex and changing relationship between intellectuals and the state in modern China.
Paul A. Cohen, “Discovering History in China: American Historical Writing on the Recent Chinese Past” (1984)
Examines the development of American historiography on modern China from the 1950s to the 1980s.
Argues that American historians’ understanding of modern Chinese history has been shaped by their own cultural and political biases, as well as the changing political climate of the Cold War era.
Identifies several key paradigms that have influenced American historical writing on China, including the “impact-response” model, the “tradition-modernity” dichotomy, and the “China-centered” approach.
Critiques the “impact-response” model, which emphasizes the role of Western imperialism in shaping modern Chinese history, for overlooking the agency and complexity of Chinese society.
Advocates for a more “China-centered” approach to Chinese history, which seeks to understand Chinese history on its own terms and from Chinese perspectives.
Highlights the importance of using Chinese-language sources and engaging with Chinese scholarship in order to develop a more nuanced and accurate understanding of Chinese history.
Argues that by critically examining the assumptions and biases underlying American historical writing on China, historians can develop a more sophisticated and empathetic approach to the study of Chinese history.
Key terms:
American historiography
Modern Chinese history
Impact-response model
Tradition-modernity dichotomy
China-centered approach
Chinese-language sources
Cold War era
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Cohen’s influential book, which has played a major role in shaping the field of modern Chinese history in the United States. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on American historical writing on China. Cohen’s book remains a classic text for understanding the development and limitations of American scholarship on modern China, and for thinking critically about the role of cultural and political biases in shaping historical understanding.
Jonathan D. Spence, “The Search for Modern China” (1990)
Provides a comprehensive survey of modern Chinese history, from the late Ming dynasty to the post-Mao era.
Argues that the search for modernity has been a central theme in modern Chinese history, as Chinese leaders and intellectuals have grappled with the challenges of adapting to a rapidly changing world.
Examines the complex interplay between continuity and change in modern Chinese history, highlighting both the enduring legacies of China’s imperial past and the profound transformations wrought by modernization.
Covers a wide range of topics, including political, economic, social, and cultural history, as well as China’s interactions with the wider world.
Discusses key events and figures in modern Chinese history, such as the Opium Wars, the Taiping Rebellion, the 1911 Revolution, the May Fourth Movement, the Communist revolution, and the Cultural Revolution.
Analyzes the impact of Western imperialism on China, as well as China’s efforts to resist and adapt to foreign encroachment.
Argues that understanding China’s search for modernity is crucial for making sense of the country’s current challenges and future prospects.
Key terms:
Modern Chinese history
Search for modernity
Continuity and change
Imperial legacies
Western imperialism
Opium Wars
Taiping Rebellion
1911 Revolution
May Fourth Movement
Communist revolution
Cultural Revolution
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Spence’s influential survey of modern Chinese history. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on modern China. Spence’s book is an essential reference for anyone seeking a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the major themes and events of modern Chinese history, from the late imperial period to the post-Mao era. Its emphasis on the search for modernity as a central theme in modern Chinese history has helped to shape the field and inspire further research and debate.
Arif Dirlik, “Chinese History and the Question of Orientalism” (1996)
Examines the relevance of Edward Said’s concept of Orientalism for the study of Chinese history.
Argues that while Orientalism has been a useful tool for critiquing Western representations of China, it has also had some problematic implications for Chinese historiography.
Suggests that the Orientalist critique can lead to an essentialization of Chinese culture and history, as well as a romanticization of China as a timeless and unchanging “Other.”
Highlights the importance of recognizing the diversity and complexity of Chinese history, as well as the role of Chinese agency in shaping its own historical trajectory.
Calls for a more nuanced and self-reflexive approach to Chinese history that avoids both Orientalist stereotyping and nationalist mythmaking.
Argues that Chinese historians have a particular responsibility to engage critically with the question of Orientalism, given China’s position as both a subject and object of Orientalist discourse.
Suggests that by grappling with the challenges posed by Orientalism, Chinese historians can develop a more sophisticated and empathetic approach to the study of their own history.
Key terms:
Orientalism
Edward Said
Chinese historiography
Essentialism
Romanticization
Chinese agency
Nationalist mythmaking
Self-reflexivity
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Dirlik’s influential article on the relevance of Orientalism for Chinese historiography. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the article within the broader debates on Orientalism and its implications for the study of non-Western histories. Dirlik’s article is an important contribution to these debates, highlighting both the potential and limitations of the Orientalist critique for understanding Chinese history. It remains a thought-provoking and influential piece that challenges historians to think critically about their own assumptions and biases in the study of China and other non-Western societies.
Fabio Lanza, “Making Sense of ‘China’ during the Cold War: Global Maoism and Asian Studies” (2012)
Examines the impact of global Maoism on the development of Asian Studies in the West during the Cold War era.
Argues that the rise of Maoist movements in Asia and beyond challenged Western conceptions of China and forced a rethinking of the field of Asian Studies.
Suggests that global Maoism helped to “de-center” Cold War history by highlighting the agency and autonomy of non-Western actors in shaping the course of the conflict.
Highlights the role of Maoist China as a global political and cultural force, inspiring revolutionary movements and anti-colonial struggles around the world.
Discusses the ways in which Western scholars and intellectuals grappled with the challenge of understanding and representing Maoist China, often oscillating between romanticization and demonization.
Argues that the legacy of global Maoism continues to shape the field of Asian Studies today, even as the political and ideological landscape has shifted.
Calls for a more critical and self-reflexive approach to the study of China and Asia that takes into account the complex and contested nature of knowledge production in the context of the Cold War and beyond.
Key terms:
Global Maoism
Asian Studies
Cold War history
De-centering
Non-Western agency
Revolutionary movements
Anti-colonial struggles
Knowledge production
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Lanza’s chapter on the impact of global Maoism on Asian Studies during the Cold War. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the chapter within the broader debates on the Cold War, decolonization, and the politics of knowledge production. Lanza’s chapter is an important contribution to these debates, highlighting the ways in which the rise of Maoist movements challenged Western assumptions about China and Asia and forced a rethinking of the field of Asian Studies. It remains a valuable resource for scholars seeking to understand the complex and contested legacy of Maoism in the context of the Cold War and beyond.
Joseph Esherick, “The Origins of the Boxer Uprising” (1987)
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Provides a comprehensive analysis of the causes and origins of the Boxer Uprising, a major anti-foreign and anti-Christian movement in northern China from 1899 to 1901.
Argues that the Boxer Uprising was not a sudden or spontaneous outbreak of irrational violence, but rather the result of complex social, economic, and political factors.
Examines the role of local conflicts, such as land disputes and clan rivalries, in fueling the Boxer movement.
Highlights the importance of popular religion and mythology in shaping the Boxers’ worldview and motivating their actions.
Discusses the ways in which Western imperialism and the spread of Christianity in China contributed to the rise of anti-foreign sentiment.
Analyzes the response of the Qing state to the Boxer Uprising, arguing that the government’s initial support for the Boxers was a calculated attempt to use popular anger to resist foreign encroachment.
Argues that the failure of the Boxer Uprising marked a turning point in modern Chinese history, leading to the further weakening of the Qing dynasty and the rise of revolutionary nationalism.
Key terms:
Boxer Uprising
Anti-foreign sentiment
Anti-Christian movement
Popular religion
Western imperialism
Qing state
Revolutionary nationalism
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Esherick’s influential book on the origins of the Boxer Uprising. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on late Qing China and the impact of Western imperialism. Esherick’s book is a seminal work that challenges traditional interpretations of the Boxer Uprising as an irrational or reactionary movement, instead highlighting the complex social, economic, and political factors that contributed to its rise. It remains an essential resource for scholars seeking to understand the origins and significance of this pivotal event in modern Chinese history.
Stephen Platt, “Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War” (2012)
Provides a narrative history of the Taiping Civil War (1850-1864), a massive rebellion against the Qing dynasty that resulted in millions of deaths and widespread destruction.
Argues that the Taiping Civil War was not just a domestic conflict, but also a global event that involved Western powers and had far-reaching consequences for China’s relationship with the world.
Examines the role of Hong Xiuquan, the visionary leader of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and his unique blend of Christianity, Confucianism, and Chinese folk religion.
Discusses the ways in which the Taiping Rebellion challenged traditional Chinese social and political structures, including the Confucian order and the Qing state.
Analyzes the response of Western powers to the Taiping Rebellion, including the decision of some foreign adventurers to fight alongside the Qing forces against the Taiping.
Highlights the importance of the Taiping Rebellion in shaping China’s encounter with modernity and its relationship with the West in the late 19th century.
Argues that the suppression of the Taiping Rebellion by the Qing dynasty with the help of Western powers marked a turning point in Chinese history, setting the stage for further foreign interventions and the eventual fall of the Qing.
Key terms:
Taiping Civil War
Hong Xiuquan
Taiping Heavenly Kingdom
Christianity
Confucianism
Chinese folk religion
Qing dynasty
Western powers
Modernity
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Platt’s narrative history of the Taiping Civil War. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on late Qing China and the impact of Western imperialism. Platt’s book is a compelling and accessible account that highlights the global significance of the Taiping Rebellion and its lasting impact on China’s relationship with the West. It is an important resource for scholars and general readers alike who are interested in this pivotal period in modern Chinese history.
William T. Rowe, “China’s Last Empire: The Great Qing” (2009)
Provides a comprehensive history of the Qing dynasty (1644-1912), the last imperial dynasty of China.
Argues that the Qing dynasty was not a static or monolithic entity, but rather a dynamic and adaptable empire that underwent significant changes over the course of its nearly three-century rule.
Examines the ways in which the Manchu rulers of the Qing dynasty managed to establish and maintain their authority over a vast and diverse empire.
Discusses the political, economic, and cultural policies of the Qing dynasty, including the role of Confucianism, the examination system, and the tributary system.
Analyzes the challenges faced by the Qing dynasty in the 19th century, including internal rebellions, Western imperialism, and the growing crisis of legitimacy.
Highlights the reforms and modernization efforts undertaken by the Qing dynasty in response to these challenges, such as the Self-Strengthening Movement and the New Policies.
Argues that despite its ultimate collapse in 1912, the Qing dynasty left a lasting legacy on modern China, shaping its political, social, and cultural institutions in profound ways.
Key terms:
Qing dynasty
Manchu rulers
Confucianism
Examination system
Tributary system
Internal rebellions
Western imperialism
Self-Strengthening Movement
New Policies
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Rowe’s comprehensive history of the Qing dynasty. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on late imperial China and the transition to modernity. Rowe’s book is an essential resource for scholars and students seeking a nuanced and in-depth understanding of the Qing dynasty and its role in shaping modern China. Its emphasis on the adaptability and dynamism of the Qing empire challenges traditional narratives of decline and stagnation, offering a more complex and multifaceted portrait of this pivotal period in Chinese history.
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Peter Zarrow, “After Empire: The Conceptual Transformation of the Chinese State, 1885-1924” (2012)
Examines the intellectual and conceptual changes in Chinese political thought during the late Qing and early Republican periods.
Argues that the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911 and the establishment of the Republic of China marked a fundamental transformation in Chinese conceptions of the state and its relationship to society.
Traces the evolution of key political concepts, such as sovereignty, citizenship, and the nation, and their adaptation to the Chinese context.
Discusses the influence of Western political ideas, such as social contract theory and constitutionalism, on Chinese intellectuals and political reformers.
Analyzes the debates and struggles over the meaning and form of the Chinese state in the early Republican period, including the tensions between centralization and regionalism, and between authoritarianism and democracy.
Highlights the role of political thinkers and activists, such as Liang Qichao and Sun Yat-sen, in shaping the intellectual and political landscape of post-imperial China.
Argues that the conceptual transformation of the Chinese state in this period laid the foundation for the rise of nationalism, communism, and other modern political ideologies in China.
Key terms:
Late Qing
Early Republican China
Sovereignty
Citizenship
Nation
Social contract theory
Constitutionalism
Liang Qichao
Sun Yat-sen
Nationalism
Communism
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Zarrow’s intellectual history of the conceptual transformation of the Chinese state in the late Qing and early Republican periods. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on modern Chinese political thought and state formation. Zarrow’s book is an important contribution to our understanding of the complex and contested process of political modernization in China, and the ways in which Western ideas and concepts were adapted and transformed in the Chinese context. It is an essential resource for scholars and students interested in the intellectual and political foundations of modern China.
Johan Elverskog, “Our Great Qing: The Mongols, Buddhism, and the State in Late Imperial China” (2006)
Examines the relationship between the Mongols, Buddhism, and the Qing state in late imperial China.
Argues that the Qing dynasty’s patronage of Tibetan Buddhism and its incorporation of Mongolia into the empire were not simply matters of political expediency, but also reflected a genuine religious and cultural affinity between the Manchu rulers and the Mongols.
Discusses the ways in which the Qing emperors used Buddhism as a tool of state-building and legitimation, both in Mongolia and in China proper.
Analyzes the role of Mongol Buddhists in the Qing imperial project, including their participation in military campaigns, their role as intermediaries between the Qing state and Tibetan Buddhists, and their contributions to the development of Tibetan Buddhist art and literature.
Highlights the importance of the Qing dynasty’s multi-ethnic and multi-cultural character, challenging the notion of a monolithic “Chinese” empire.
Argues that the Qing dynasty’s successful integration of Mongolia and Tibet into the empire was a key factor in its longevity and stability, and that the Mongols’ loyalty to the Qing state was based on a shared religious and cultural identity.
Provides a nuanced and revisionist interpretation of the relationship between the Manchu Qing dynasty and its Mongol and Tibetan subjects, emphasizing the importance of religion and culture in shaping imperial politics and identity.
Key terms:
Qing dynasty
Mongols
Tibetan Buddhism
Imperial legitimation
State-building
Multi-ethnic empire
Manchu-Mongol relations
Tibetan Buddhist art and literature
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Elverskog’s book on the relationship between the Mongols, Buddhism, and the Qing state in late imperial China. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on the Qing dynasty and its relationship with its Inner Asian subjects. Elverskog’s book is an important contribution to our understanding of the complex and dynamic nature of the Qing empire, and the ways in which religion and culture shaped imperial politics and identity. It is an essential resource for scholars and students interested in the history of the Mongols, Tibetan Buddhism, and the Qing dynasty.
Ping-Ti Ho, “In Defense of Sinicization: A Rebuttal of Evelyn Rawski’s ‘Reenvisioning the Qing’” (1998)
Responds to Evelyn Rawski’s “Reenvisioning the Qing” article, which argued that the Qing dynasty was a multi-ethnic empire that actively maintained and promoted the distinct identities of its Manchu, Mongol, and Tibetan subjects.
Defends the traditional view of the Qing dynasty as a Chinese dynasty that successfully sinicized its non-Han subjects, particularly the Manchus.
Argues that the process of sinicization was a key factor in the Qing dynasty’s success and longevity, and that the Manchus’ adoption of Chinese language, culture, and political institutions was a deliberate strategy of state-building and legitimation.
Criticizes Rawski’s emphasis on the Qing dynasty’s multi-ethnic character, arguing that it overlooks the fundamental importance of Chinese culture and institutions in shaping the Qing state and society.
Highlights the ways in which the Manchus were assimilated into Chinese culture, such as their use of the Chinese language, their participation in the Confucian examination system, and their intermarriage with Han Chinese elites.
Defends the use of the term “sinicization” as a valid and useful concept for understanding the cultural and political dynamics of the Qing dynasty, while acknowledging the need for a more nuanced and contextual understanding of the process.
Represents a significant contribution to the debate over the nature of the Qing dynasty and its relationship with its non-Han subjects, and has helped to stimulate further research and discussion on this important topic.
Key terms:
Sinicization
Qing dynasty
Manchus
Multi-ethnic empire
Chinese culture and institutions
Confucian examination system
Intermarriage
Han Chinese elites
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Ho’s article defending the concept of sinicization and critiquing Rawski’s “Reenvisioning the Qing” thesis. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the article within the broader historiographical debate over the nature of the Qing dynasty and its relationship with its non-Han subjects. Ho’s article is an important contribution to this debate, offering a robust defense of the traditional view of the Qing as a Chinese dynasty that successfully assimilated its non-Han subjects. It is an essential resource for scholars and students interested in the history of the Qing dynasty and the processes of cultural and political integration in late imperial China.
Justin M. Jacobs, “Xinjiang and the Modern Chinese State” (2016)
Examines the history of Chinese state-building and nation-building in Xinjiang from the late Qing period to the present day.
Argues that the Chinese state’s efforts to integrate Xinjiang into the nation-state have been shaped by a complex interplay of political, economic, and cultural factors, as well as by the agency and resistance of local actors.
Traces the evolution of Chinese policies towards Xinjiang, from the Qing dynasty’s loose system of indirect rule to the more centralized and assimilationist policies of the Republican and Communist periods.
Discusses the ways in which Chinese state-building in Xinjiang has been influenced by changing conceptions of nationalism, modernity, and development, as well as by geopolitical considerations and the perceived threat of separatism.
Analyzes the impact of Chinese state policies on Xinjiang’s diverse ethnic and religious communities, particularly the Uyghurs, and the ways in which these communities have negotiated, resisted, and adapted to Chinese rule.
Highlights the role of Xinjiang as a frontier region and a site of contestation between competing visions of identity, belonging, and political order.
Provides a nuanced and multi-dimensional account of the modern history of Xinjiang that challenges both Chinese nationalist narratives and simplistic portrayals of Uyghur resistance and separatism.
Key terms:
Xinjiang
Chinese state-building
Nation-building
Qing dynasty
Republican China
Communist China
Uyghurs
Ethnic and religious minorities
Frontier region
Nationalism
Modernity
Development
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Jacobs’ book on the history of Chinese state-building and nation-building in Xinjiang. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on Xinjiang and China’s frontier regions. Jacobs’ book is an important contribution to our understanding of the complex and contested process of Chinese state formation in Xinjiang, and the ways in which this process has been shaped by a range of political, economic, and cultural factors. It is an essential resource for scholars and students interested in the modern history of Xinjiang and the relationship between the Chinese state and its ethnic and religious minorities.
Judd Kinzley, “Natural Resources and the New Frontier: Constructing Modern China’s Borderlands” (2018)
Examines the role of natural resources in the Chinese state’s efforts to construct and integrate its borderland regions during the late Qing and Republican periods.
Argues that the discovery and exploitation of natural resources in the borderlands, such as minerals, oil, and forest products, played a key role in the Chinese state’s modernization and nation-building projects.
Discusses the ways in which the Chinese state’s pursuit of natural resources in the borderlands intersected with its efforts to establish territorial control, assert sovereignty, and promote economic development.
Analyzes the impact of resource extraction on the borderland regions and their inhabitants, including the environmental and social consequences of mining, logging, and other extractive industries.
Highlights the role of transnational actors and global markets in shaping the Chinese state’s resource policies and practices in the borderlands, as well as the ways in which these policies and practices were contested and negotiated by local actors.
Provides a comparative perspective on the Chinese state’s resource-driven frontier development, drawing on examples from other parts of the world, such as the American West and Siberia.
Contributes to our understanding of the modern history of China’s borderlands and the relationship between natural resources, state power, and territorial control.
Key terms:
Natural resources
Borderlands
Frontier
Late Qing
Republican China
Modernization
Nation-building
Territorial control
Sovereignty
Economic development
Extractive industries
Transnational actors
Global markets
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Kinzley’s book on the role of natural resources in the Chinese state’s efforts to construct and integrate its borderland regions. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on China’s borderlands and the relationship between natural resources and state power. Kinzley’s book is an important contribution to our understanding of the ways in which the Chinese state’s pursuit of natural resources in the borderlands intersected with its modernization and nation-building projects, and the impact of these projects on the borderland regions and their inhabitants. It is an essential resource for scholars and students interested in the environmental and social history of China’s borderlands and the global dimensions of Chinese state formation.
Ruth Rogaski, “Knowing Manchuria: Environments, the Senses, and Natural Knowledge on an Asian Borderland” (2022)
Explores the production and circulation of knowledge about Manchuria’s natural environment from the late Qing period to the early twentieth century.
Argues that Manchuria, as a borderland region, was a site of intensive scientific and cultural exploration, where Chinese, Japanese, and Western actors sought to understand, exploit, and control the region’s natural resources and ecological systems.
Examines the ways in which different forms of knowledge about Manchuria’s environment, including scientific, medical, and vernacular knowledge, were produced, contested, and circulated by a range of actors, from botanists and geologists to doctors and missionaries.
Discusses the role of sensory experiences, such as sight, smell, and touch, in shaping the production and interpretation of natural knowledge about Manchuria, and how these experiences were mediated by cultural, social, and political factors.
Highlights the importance of Manchuria as a laboratory for the development of new scientific disciplines and practices, such as ecology, epidemiology, and resource management, and how these disciplines and practices were shaped by imperial and nationalist agendas.
Provides a multi-layered and interdisciplinary analysis of the relationship between knowledge, power, and environment in the context of Manchuria’s modern history, drawing on insights from environmental history, science and technology studies, and sensory studies.
Contributes to our understanding of the global and transnational dimensions of scientific knowledge production and circulation, and the ways in which the study of borderland regions can shed new light on the history of science, medicine, and the environment.
Key terms:
Manchuria
Borderland
Natural environment
Scientific knowledge
Medical knowledge
Vernacular knowledge
Sensory experiences
Ecology
Epidemiology
Resource management
Imperialism
Nationalism
Environmental history
Science and technology studies
Sensory studies
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Rogaski’s book on the production and circulation of knowledge about Manchuria’s natural environment. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on the history of science, medicine, and the environment in East Asia and beyond. Rogaski’s book is an important contribution to our understanding of how different forms of knowledge about the natural world were produced, contested, and circulated in the context of Manchuria’s modern history, and how these knowledge practices were shaped by a range of cultural, social, and political factors. It is an essential resource for scholars and students interested in the environmental and intellectual history of East Asia and the global dimensions of scientific knowledge production.
Eric Schluessel, “Land of Strangers: The Civilizing Project in Qing Central Asia” (2020)
Examines the Qing empire’s efforts to “civilize” and integrate the Uyghurs and other Muslim populations of Central Asia in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Argues that the Qing’s civilizing project in Central Asia was not simply a matter of conquest and assimilation, but a complex process of negotiation, adaptation, and resistance between the Qing state and local actors.
Discusses the ways in which the Qing state sought to transform the social, cultural, and economic practices of the Uyghurs and other Central Asian populations through policies such as land reform, education, and legal reform.
Analyzes the role of Confucian ideology and Chinese cultural practices in shaping the Qing’s civilizing project, and how these were adapted and contested by local actors.
Highlights the agency and resistance of the Uyghurs and other Central Asian populations in the face of Qing efforts to transform their way of life, and the ways in which they negotiated and adapted to Qing rule.
Provides a nuanced and multi-dimensional account of the Qing empire’s relationship with its Central Asian subjects that challenges both Sinocentric and Eurocentric narratives of empire and modernity.
Contributes to our understanding of the complex and contested process of Qing state-building and empire-building in Central Asia, and the ways in which this process shaped the modern history of the region and its peoples.
Key terms:
Qing empire
Central Asia
Uyghurs
Civilizing project
Confucian ideology
Chinese cultural practices
Land reform
Education
Legal reform
Agency
Resistance
Sinocentrism
Eurocentrism
State-building
Empire-building
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Schluessel’s book on the Qing empire’s civilizing project in Central Asia. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on the Qing empire and its relationship with its Central Asian subjects. Schluessel’s book is an important contribution to our understanding of the complex and contested process of Qing state-building and empire-building in Central Asia, and the ways in which this process was shaped by a range of ideological, cultural, and social factors. It is an essential resource for scholars and students interested in the history of the Qing empire and the modern history of Central Asia and its peoples.
Victor Seow, “Carbon Technocracy: Energy Regimes in Modern East Asia” (2023)
Examines the history of energy regimes in modern East Asia, with a focus on the role of fossil fuels, particularly coal, in shaping the region’s political, economic, and social development.
Argues that the emergence of “carbon technocracy,” a system of governance based on the exploitation and control of fossil fuel resources, was a key factor in the modernization and industrialization of East Asian countries such as China and Japan.
Traces the historical evolution of carbon technocracy in East Asia from the late 19th century to the present day, highlighting the ways in which the pursuit of coal-based energy intersected with the formation of modern states, economies, and societies in the region.
Discusses the role of various actors, including governments, corporations, and scientific experts, in the development and implementation of carbon technocracy in East Asia, and the ways in which these actors collaborated and competed with each other.
Analyzes the environmental and social consequences of carbon technocracy in East Asia, including the impact of coal mining and consumption on local communities, ecosystems, and public health.
Provides a comparative perspective on the history of energy regimes in East Asia, drawing on examples from other parts of the world and highlighting the global dimensions of the region’s energy history.
Contributes to our understanding of the relationship between energy, technology, and political power in modern East Asia, and the ways in which the region’s energy history has shaped its contemporary challenges and opportunities.
Key terms:
Energy regimes
East Asia
Fossil fuels
Coal
Carbon technocracy
Modernization
Industrialization
States
Economies
Societies
Governments
Corporations
Scientific experts
Environmental consequences
Social consequences
Comparative history
Global history
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Seow’s book on the history of energy regimes in modern East Asia. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on the history of energy, technology, and political power in East Asia and beyond. Seow’s book is an important contribution to our understanding of the ways in which the pursuit of coal-based energy intersected with the formation of modern states, economies, and societies in East Asia, and the environmental and social consequences of this process. It is an essential resource for scholars and students interested in the history of energy, technology, and political power in modern East Asia and the global dimensions of the region’s energy history.
Arif Dirlik, “Anarchism in the Chinese Revolution” (1991)
Examines the role of anarchism as a political and intellectual force in the Chinese revolution during the early 20th century.
Argues that anarchism played a significant role in shaping the ideological and organizational foundations of the Chinese revolutionary movement, particularly in the period before the establishment of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1921.
Discusses the ways in which anarchist ideas and practices, such as anti-authoritarianism, decentralization, and direct action, influenced the thinking and actions of Chinese revolutionaries, including figures such as Liu Shifu and Mao Zedong.
Analyzes the complex and often tense relationship between anarchism and Marxism in the Chinese revolutionary movement, and how the two ideologies both converged and diverged in their visions of social and political transformation.
Traces the decline of anarchism as a distinct political force in China after the early 1920s, as the CCP emerged as the dominant revolutionary organization and the Nationalist Party (GMD) consolidated its power.
Provides a nuanced and multi-dimensional account of the intellectual and political history of the Chinese revolution that challenges simplistic narratives of ideological and organizational unity.
Contributes to our understanding of the global dimensions of anarchism as a political and intellectual movement, and the ways in which it intersected with other revolutionary ideologies and movements in the early 20th century.
Key terms:
Anarchism
Chinese revolution
Ideology
Organization
Anti-authoritarianism
Decentralization
Direct action
Liu Shifu
Mao Zedong
Marxism
Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
Nationalist Party (GMD)
Intellectual history
Political history
Global history
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Dirlik’s book on the role of anarchism in the Chinese revolution. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on the intellectual and political history of modern China. Dirlik’s book is an important contribution to our understanding of the complex and often overlooked role of anarchism in shaping the ideological and organizational foundations of the Chinese revolutionary movement, and the ways in which it intersected with other revolutionary ideologies and movements in the early 20th century. It is an essential resource for scholars and students interested in the intellectual and political history of modern China and the global dimensions of anarchism as a political and intellectual movement.
Fung, Edmund K. The Intellectual Foundations of Chinese Modernity: Cultural and Political Thought in the Republican Era. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2010.
Examines the intellectual and cultural foundations of Chinese modernity during the Republican era (1912-1949).
Argues that the Republican era was a crucial period in the formation of modern Chinese political and cultural thought, as Chinese intellectuals grappled with the challenges of modernization, nationalism, and social reform.
Discusses the ways in which Chinese intellectuals selectively adapted and reinterpreted Western ideas and theories, such as liberalism, socialism, and scientism, to suit the Chinese context and to address the specific challenges facing Chinese society.
Analyzes the key debates and controversies that shaped Republican-era intellectual life, such as the debate between science and metaphysics, the question of Chinese national identity, and the role of Confucianism in modern China.
Highlights the contributions of leading Republican-era thinkers, such as Hu Shi, Chen Duxiu, and Liang Shuming, to the development of modern Chinese political and cultural thought.
Provides a comprehensive and nuanced account of the intellectual and cultural ferment of the Republican era that challenges simplistic narratives of tradition versus modernity or Chinese versus Western thought.
Contributes to our understanding of the complex and contested process of Chinese modernization and the ways in which it was shaped by a range of intellectual, cultural, and political factors.
Key terms:
Chinese modernity
Republican era
Political thought
Cultural thought
Modernization
Nationalism
Social reform
Liberalism
Socialism
Scientism
Science and metaphysics
National identity
Confucianism
Hu Shi
Chen Duxiu
Liang Shuming
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Fung’s book on the intellectual and cultural foundations of Chinese modernity during the Republican era. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on modern Chinese intellectual and cultural history. Fung’s book is an important contribution to our understanding of the complex and contested process of Chinese modernization and the ways in which it was shaped by a range of intellectual, cultural, and political factors. It is an essential resource for scholars and students interested in the intellectual and cultural history of modern China and the global dimensions of modernization and social change.
Goldman, Merle, and Leo Ou-fan Lee. An Intellectual History of Modern China. Cambridge: Cambridge University press, 2002.
Provides a comprehensive survey of Chinese intellectual history from the late Qing period to the end of the 20th century.
Argues that Chinese intellectual history in the modern era has been shaped by a complex interplay of traditional Chinese thought, Western ideas, and the challenges of modernization and nation-building.
Discusses the major intellectual trends and movements that have emerged in modern China, such as the May Fourth Movement, the New Culture Movement, and the debates over the role of Confucianism in modern Chinese society.
Analyzes the contributions of key Chinese intellectuals, such as Liang Qichao, Lu Xun, Hu Shi, and Mao Zedong, to the development of modern Chinese thought.
Examines the ways in which Chinese intellectuals have grappled with issues such as the relationship between tradition and modernity, the role of the intellectual in society, and the search for a Chinese path to modernization.
Highlights the impact of major historical events, such as the Sino-Japanese War, the Chinese Civil War, and the Cultural Revolution, on Chinese intellectual life.
Provides a nuanced and multi-faceted account of modern Chinese intellectual history that emphasizes the diversity and complexity of Chinese thought and the ongoing dialogue between China and the West.
Key terms:
Modern China
Intellectual history
Traditional Chinese thought
Western ideas
Modernization
Nation-building
May Fourth Movement
New Culture Movement
Confucianism
Liang Qichao
Lu Xun
Hu Shi
Mao Zedong
Tradition and modernity
Role of the intellectual
Chinese path to modernization
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Goldman and Lee’s survey of modern Chinese intellectual history. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on modern Chinese thought and culture. Goldman and Lee’s book is an essential resource for scholars and students seeking
Ip, Hyung-yok. Intellectuals in Revolutionary China, 1921–1949. London: Routledge, 2005.
Examines the role of intellectuals in the Chinese revolutionary movement from the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1921 to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
Argues that Chinese intellectuals played a crucial role in shaping the ideological and organizational development of the CCP and the broader revolutionary movement during this period.
Discusses the complex and often tense relationship between intellectuals and the CCP leadership, particularly the tensions between intellectual autonomy and party discipline.
Analyzes the ways in which Chinese intellectuals adapted and interpreted Marxist theory to suit the Chinese context and to address the specific challenges of the Chinese revolution.
Highlights the contributions of key intellectual figures, such as Li Dazhao, Chen Duxiu, and Qu Qiubai, to the development of Chinese Marxist thought and the formation of the CCP.
Examines the impact of major historical events, such as the May 30th Movement, the Northern Expedition, and the Yan’an Rectification Movement, on the role and status of intellectuals within the revolutionary movement.
Provides a nuanced and multi-faceted account of the relationship between intellectuals and revolution in modern China that challenges simplistic narratives of intellectual co-optation or resistance.
Key terms:
Chinese intellectuals
Revolutionary China
Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
Marxist theory
Ideological development
Organizational development
Intellectual autonomy
Party discipline
Li Dazhao
Chen Duxiu
Qu Qiubai
May 30th Movement
Northern Expedition
Yan’an Rectification Movement
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Ip’s book on the role of intellectuals in the Chinese revolutionary movement from 1921 to 1949. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on modern Chinese intellectual and political history. Ip’s book is an important contribution to our understanding of the complex and often tense relationship between intellectuals and the CCP during the revolutionary period, and the ways in which Chinese intellectuals adapted and interpreted Marxist theory to suit the Chinese context. It is an essential resource for scholars and students interested in the intellectual and political history of modern China and the role of intellectuals in revolutionary movements.
Knight, Nick. Li Da and Marxist Philosophy in China. Boulder: Westview Press, 1996.
Front:
Nick Knight, “Li Da and Marxist Philosophy in China” (1996)
Back:
Provides a comprehensive study of the life and thought of Li Da (1890-1966), one of the most influential Chinese Marxist philosophers of the 20th century.
Argues that Li Da played a crucial role in the development of Marxist philosophy in China, particularly in the areas of dialectical materialism and historical materialism.
Examines Li Da’s intellectual formation and his engagement with Marxist theory, as well as his contributions to the Chinese Communist Party’s ideological and theoretical debates.
Discusses Li Da’s key philosophical works, such as “Elements of Sociology” and “Outline of Sociology,” and their impact on the development of Chinese Marxist thought.
Analyzes Li Da’s interpretations and adaptations of Marxist concepts, such as the theory of knowledge, the theory of truth, and the relationship between theory and practice, in the Chinese context.
Highlights Li Da’s role as an educator and his influence on generations of Chinese Marxist scholars and activists.
Provides a detailed and nuanced account of the complex and often contested process of the dissemination and adaptation of Marxist philosophy in modern China.
Key terms:
Li Da
Marxist philosophy
Dialectical materialism
Historical materialism
Chinese Communist Party
Ideological debates
Theoretical debates
Elements of Sociology
Outline of Sociology
Theory of knowledge
Theory of truth
Theory and practice
Marxist education
Dissemination of Marxism
Adaptation of Marxism
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Knight’s book on the life and thought of Li Da and his role in the development of Marxist philosophy in China. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on modern Chinese intellectual and political history. Knight’s book is an important contribution to our understanding of the complex process of the dissemination and adaptation of Marxist philosophy in modern China, and the ways in which Chinese Marxist thinkers like Li Da interpreted and applied Marxist concepts to the Chinese context. It is an essential resource for scholars and students interested in the history of Marxist philosophy in China and the role of intellectuals in the Chinese Communist Party.
Mullaney, Thomas S. The Chinese Typewriter: A History. Studies of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute, Columbia University. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press, 2017.
Provides a groundbreaking history of the Chinese typewriter, from its invention in the late 19th century to its decline in the digital age.
Argues that the Chinese typewriter was not merely a technological innovation, but also a cultural and intellectual phenomenon that shaped the development of modern Chinese society and culture.
Examines the complex and often contested process of the invention, design, and manufacture of Chinese typewriters, and the various challenges and innovations involved in adapting the typewriter to the Chinese language.
Discusses the social and cultural impact of the Chinese typewriter, particularly its role in the modernization and standardization of the Chinese language and the emergence of new forms of print culture and communication.
Analyzes the ways in which the Chinese typewriter intersected with broader intellectual and political debates in modern China, such as the reform of the Chinese writing system and the promotion of literacy and education.
Highlights the global dimensions of the history of the Chinese typewriter, including the transnational networks of inventors, entrepreneurs, and users that shaped its development and dissemination.
Provides a rich and nuanced account of the relationship between technology, language, and culture in modern China, and the ways in which the Chinese typewriter both reflected and shaped the broader transformations of Chinese society and culture.
Key terms:
Chinese typewriter
Technological innovation
Cultural phenomenon
Intellectual phenomenon
Language reform
Modernization
Standardization
Print culture
Communication
Writing system reform
Literacy
Education
Transnational networks
Technology and culture
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments and key terms from Mullaney’s book on the history of the Chinese typewriter. Use this flashcard to review the main points and to situate the book within the broader historiography on modern Chinese intellectual and cultural history. Mullaney’s book is an important contribution to our understanding of the complex relationship between technology, language, and culture in modern China, and the ways in which the Chinese typewriter both reflected and shaped the broader transformations of Chinese society and culture. It is an essential resource for scholars and students interested in the history of technology, language, and communication in modern China and beyond.
Schwarcz, Vera. The Chinese Enlightenment: Intellectuals and the Legacy of the May Fourth Movement of 1919. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1986.
Examines the intellectual and cultural legacy of the May Fourth Movement of 1919 in China.
Argues that the May Fourth Movement represented a watershed moment in modern Chinese history, marking the emergence of a new, enlightenment-inspired intellectual culture.
Explores how the May Fourth intellectuals, inspired by Western ideas of science, democracy, and individualism, sought to challenge traditional Chinese values and advocate for modernization and cultural renewal.
Discusses the key figures and ideas of the May Fourth Movement, such as Chen Duxiu, Hu Shi, and Lu Xun, and their contributions to the development of modern Chinese thought.
Analyzes the tensions and contradictions within the May Fourth Movement, including the debates over the role of tradition, the relationship between intellectuals and the masses, and the competing visions of China’s future.
Traces the lasting influence of the May Fourth Movement on subsequent generations of Chinese intellectuals and on the course of modern Chinese history.
Offers a nuanced assessment of the achievements and limitations of the May Fourth Movement, arguing that while it unleashed a spirit of critical inquiry and cultural innovation, it also gave rise to new forms of dogmatism and elitism.
Key terms and concepts:
May Fourth Movement
Chinese Enlightenment
Intellectuals
Modernization
Cultural renewal
Western ideas
Science
Democracy
Individualism
Tradition
Chen Duxiu
Hu Shi
Lu Xun
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments, key terms, and intellectual figures discussed in Vera Schwarcz’s “The Chinese Enlightenment,” a seminal work on the intellectual and cultural legacy of the May Fourth Movement in modern Chinese history. Use this flashcard to review the central themes and ideas of the book and to situate it within the broader context of modern Chinese intellectual history.
Bianco, Lucien. Peasants Without the Party: Grassroots Movements in Twentieth Century China. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 2001.
Examines the history of peasant resistance and grassroots movements in China throughout the 20th century.
Argues that peasants were not merely passive victims of state policies but actively resisted and shaped the course of rural change.
Covers a wide range of peasant movements, from the early Republican period to the post-Mao era, including tax revolts, religious sects, and protests against land reform and collectivization.
Challenges the conventional view of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as the sole representative of peasant interests, showing how peasants often pursued their own agendas and resisted party control.
Draws on a rich array of primary sources, including government archives, personal memoirs, and oral histories, to provide a vivid and detailed account of peasant life and politics.
Offers a nuanced analysis of the complex and often contradictory relationship between the state and the peasantry, highlighting both the achievements and limitations of peasant resistance.
Contributes to a growing body of scholarship that emphasizes the agency and diversity of Chinese peasants and challenges top-down narratives of rural transformation.
Key terms and concepts:
Peasant resistance
Grassroots movements
Rural change
Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
Tax revolts
Religious sects
Land reform
Collectivization
State-peasant relations
Peasant agency
This flashcard summarizes the main arguments, key terms, and significance of Lucien Bianco’s “Peasants Without the Party,” a seminal work on the history of peasant resistance and grassroots movements in 20th-century China. By highlighting the agency and diversity of Chinese peasants and their complex relationship with the state and the CCP, Bianco’s book offers a nuanced and compelling account of rural politics and society in modern China. It remains an essential reference for scholars and students interested in the social and political history of the Chinese countryside.
