Western Impact Of The Great Divergence On China
Many historians who take into account the Great Divergence draws a model of “Western impact, China’s response.” This says that Europe dominates the world from the Industrial Revolution and that China lacks of modernization so needs to catch up with the West. However, China has its inner force to influence itself in term of culturalism, modernization and similarities with Europe during the late Qing dynasty.
The model “Western impact, China’s response” can be explained that the West influences China as the result of the Great Divergence. Based on the Great Divergence, many historians has put Europe in a much more advantaged position compared to such Eurasian country like China. Therefore, the model supports that the West is more advantageous …show more content…
The word “tribute” is known as a gift that is intended to show respect or admiration. Between the 1700s and 1800s, the tributary system can be understood as the exchange of goods between two countries. In China, the tributary system works as diplomacy and international trade with surrounding countries. As China sees itself the center of the world and has many “inferior” surrounding countries, the tributary system is necessary for China to spread its “culturalism” on other barbarians. This can be seen in how Chinese language and Confucian teachings influence on other countries. Another example of Chinese culturalism is “lai-hua,” a manner in which a foreigner coming to China should “come and be transformed" (p.132). It is a ceremony to show respect or obedience to China as its center of human civilization(p133) As the tributary system works between two countries, “its presentation by the barbarians was a sign of their admission to the civilization of the Middle Kingdom.” (p133) Another instance is “kotow” (p.134), a behavior that a tribute envoy shows inferiority to a higher status. Later even though the tributary system changes from mere tributes into international trade, the early stage demonstrates that China has been prominent as Europe has to seek Chinese goods for trading. China, on the other hand, also try to make an impact on other parts on the world by spreading its culture and imposing some different
The model “Western impact, China’s response” can be explained that the West influences China as the result of the Great Divergence. Based on the Great Divergence, many historians has put Europe in a much more advantaged position compared to such Eurasian country like China. Therefore, the model supports that the West is more advantageous …show more content…
The word “tribute” is known as a gift that is intended to show respect or admiration. Between the 1700s and 1800s, the tributary system can be understood as the exchange of goods between two countries. In China, the tributary system works as diplomacy and international trade with surrounding countries. As China sees itself the center of the world and has many “inferior” surrounding countries, the tributary system is necessary for China to spread its “culturalism” on other barbarians. This can be seen in how Chinese language and Confucian teachings influence on other countries. Another example of Chinese culturalism is “lai-hua,” a manner in which a foreigner coming to China should “come and be transformed" (p.132). It is a ceremony to show respect or obedience to China as its center of human civilization(p133) As the tributary system works between two countries, “its presentation by the barbarians was a sign of their admission to the civilization of the Middle Kingdom.” (p133) Another instance is “kotow” (p.134), a behavior that a tribute envoy shows inferiority to a higher status. Later even though the tributary system changes from mere tributes into international trade, the early stage demonstrates that China has been prominent as Europe has to seek Chinese goods for trading. China, on the other hand, also try to make an impact on other parts on the world by spreading its culture and imposing some different