The Spring and Autumn of History
Edited by the Spring and Autumn of History
——Preface——
China is an ancient country with 5,000 years of history and culture, and it is also the only ancient country with uninterrupted civilization.
China has a long history and culture, and now while China's international status is rising, countries around the world have begun to rise up to learn Chinese history.
Faced with this situation, we can't help but wonder how the United States, which regards China as a competitor, describes us in history.
But the fact is that they only used more than 20 pages to introduce the history of the mainland, and in these more than 20 pages, only 6 historical figures were highlighted.
What the hell is going on? And who are these six people?
——There are cultural differences between China and the United States——
Globally, the education systems of China and the United States are attracting attention for their unique ideas and practices. China's education system is known for its high-intensity learning environment and rigorous knowledge system, while the United States is known for its relatively relaxed learning atmosphere and flexible teaching methods.
These two very different models of education reflect the cultural values and educational goals of their respective societies.
In China, students often face long hours of study and a heavy workload of coursework, in large part to cope with the highly competitive gaokao.
Chinese textbooks often organize knowledge in a systematic manner to ensure that students have a comprehensive and in-depth foundation in the subject. This style of education emphasizes memory and academic achievement, providing students with a solid framework of knowledge, but it can also limit their space for innovative thinking and critical thinking.
In contrast, the U.S. education system gives students more autonomy and exploratory thinking.
Due to the federal system in the United States, states have considerable autonomy in education, which makes education models and curriculum content vary from place to place. When it comes to history education, textbooks in the United States show a remarkable diversity.
The selection of textbooks is not only guided by the education sector, but also influenced by market demand, and different publishers can tailor the textbooks to the historical traditions of the region and the needs of the community.
This flexibility allows educators to tailor instruction to students' interests and social contexts, encouraging students to understand and analyze historical events from multiple perspectives.
-- American heroism --
Middle school history education in the United States, known for its diverse perspectives, aims to provide students with a global perspective, however, this inclusiveness seems to be somewhat limiting when dealing with Chinese history.
China's rich history, which occupies only 9% of the space in American textbooks, makes the portrayal of this ancient oriental country inevitably simplified and one-sided.
Still, China's history has not been completely ignored, but has been integrated into the grand narrative of world history in a unique way.
History education in the United States began during the colonial period, and its core focus was often on the independence and development of the country and the evolution of Western civilization.
However, as globalization accelerates, world history becomes increasingly important, and students are exposed to the history of more non-Western societies.
China, as one of the oldest civilizations in the world, has naturally become part of the teaching content.
However, its historical narrative is not a stand-alone chapter, but is presented intertwined with the histories of other countries, perhaps in an arrangement that emphasizes the interplay and global connections between countries.
The World History textbook is the primary way for many American students to learn about Chinese history.
This book takes the heroic view of history as the main line, selects six iconic figures in Chinese history, and shows the outline of Chinese history through their lives and achievements.
So, who are these six Chinese written in American history books?
——Six Chinese written in American history——
In U.S. middle school history textbooks, China's history chapters are limited, but a few key figures are selected to outline its long civilization.
Among them, Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty are specifically mentioned, and their images depict two important stages of early Chinese history in the minds of American students. The narratives of these two emperors focus on their political and military achievements, as well as their profound influence on the history of China and the world.
Qin Shi Huang, known as the "Emperor of the Ages", his story occupies a prominent place in American textbooks. He not only unified the divisive situation during the Warring States period and established the Qin Dynasty, but also implemented a series of far-reaching reform measures.
Qin Shi Huang's standardized scripts, weights and measures, and rails greatly promoted communication and integration within the state, laying the foundation of Chinese feudal society.
In addition, he ordered the construction of the world-famous Great Wall, a military defense project that remains one of the symbols of China to this day. Qin Shi Huang's rule, albeit accompanied by draconian laws and servitude, set the template for the next two thousand years of imperial rule.
Liu Che, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, was known for his military conquests and cultural policies.
During his reign, the territory of the Han Dynasty expanded dramatically, and the Xiongnu in the north were successfully expelled, a victory that not only consolidated the border defense of the Han Dynasty, but also indirectly affected the course of European history.
The migration of the Xiongnu led to the migration of peoples in the future, which had an indirect effect on the decline of the Roman Empire.
At the same time, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty's promotion of Confucianism made Confucianism a core value of Chinese society, influencing education and social order for more than 2,000 years. He established Taixue, which elevated the status of academic research and paved the way for the civil service system in later generations.
Textbook descriptions emphasize the political and military contributions of the two emperors, while little is said about the economic, cultural, and social transformations.
For example, the harsh administration of the Qin Dynasty and the excessive taxation and war burdens of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty had a profound impact on society at the time, but they may have been brushed aside in textbooks.
In addition, the popularity of Confucianism was not without its challenges, and its interaction and competition with other schools of thought, such as Legalism and Taoism, as well as the impact of these ideas on the lives of ordinary people, are also an important part of Chinese history, but they are easily overlooked in the simplified narrative.
Of course, in addition to these two, Tang Taizong Li Shimin and Wu Zetian are also introduced as key figures in Chinese history, and their stories show the cultural prosperity and historical breakthrough of women's status in the Tang Dynasty, respectively.
Tang Taizong's "Zhenguan Rule" is regarded as the golden age of Chinese feudal society, and Wu Zetian's reign as the only female emperor in Chinese history was also full of innovations and challenges.
During the reign of Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, with his enlightened ruling style and emphasis on culture, he created a prosperous era of "Zhenguan rule". During this period, the politics were clear, the economy was prosperous, the culture was prosperous, and foreign exchanges were frequent, forming an East Asian cultural circle centered on the Tang Dynasty.
The imperial examination system advocated by Taizong of the Tang Dynasty promoted the mobility of social classes, provided a channel for talented people to rise, and also promoted the development of literature and art.
His works such as "Emperor Fan" and "Zhenguan Political Dignitaries" embody his thoughtful concept of governance, which has a profound enlightening effect on later emperors.
In addition, Tang Taizong's tolerant attitude towards Buddhism promoted cultural exchanges between China and India, allowing Buddhism to further spread and localize in China.
Wu Zetian's ascension to the throne marked an important turning point in Chinese history.
She broke with the tradition of male domination of the throne and became the first female emperor, which was very rare in the world at the time. During Wu Zetian's reign, known as "Zhou", she implemented a series of political reforms, such as a new system for selecting officials and encouraging admonition, which to some extent raised the social status of women.
Her ruling style was both decisive and controversial, but her very existence challenged gender role stereotypes and had a positive impact on later generations of women's participation in politics.
Although Wu Zetian's reign was accompanied by some brutal methods, her historical place is undeniable, and her story inspired later women to pursue equality and power.
The stories of Tang Taizong and Wu Zetian in American textbooks highlight the important position of the Tang Dynasty in world history on the one hand, and reveal the profound influence of Chinese culture on neighboring countries and the evolution of gender concepts on the other.
However, such narratives tend to focus on macro historical events and character achievements, and less on micro social changes and individual experiences.
In addition to these emperors, the one who writes the most in the book is Confucius.
In American history textbooks, Confucius is widely introduced to students as one of the most famous philosophers and thinkers of ancient China.
In these texts, Confucius is often portrayed as a visionary and wise man who founded Confucianism that had a profound impact on the cultural development of China and East Asia as a whole.
Confucius lived during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, at a time of social upheaval in China. He devoted himself to exploring how to establish an ideal social order, and put forward a series of ideas on human ethics, politics, education, etc.
He advocated "benevolence" as the highest moral principle, and believed that through the cultivation process of self-cultivation, family unity, governing the country, and leveling the world, social harmony and stability can be achieved.
These systems of thought were later further developed and elaborated by the followers of Confucianism and became the core content of traditional Chinese culture.
In American textbooks, the image of Confucius is often compared to other famous philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, etc.
This contrast highlights Confucius's status as a great thinker, whose system of thought has had the same profound influence as the Western philosophical tradition.
Textbooks usually introduce Confucius's main teachings, such as core concepts such as "benevolence", "propriety", and "filial piety", and explain how they have influenced China's politics, society, and culture.
In addition, the textbook mentions the life of Confucius, describes how he sought to re-establish social order in turbulent times, and how his educational career produced many outstanding students.
These details made Confucius an image of a wise man full of insight and moral integrity in the minds of his students.
And in the history books, there is another very important figure, he is Zheng He.
Zheng He was a famous navigator in Chinese history, leading a series of ocean-going voyages of unprecedented scale to Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Arabian Peninsula and the coastal regions of East Africa.
Unlike Western navigators, Zheng He's voyage was more of a peaceful exploration.
In American textbooks, Zheng He's seafaring career is often contrasted with that of Western navigators such as Columbus and Magellan.
In contrast, Zheng He's voyage was not intended to find new trade routes or colonies, but to demonstrate China's status and power as a world power at the time.
He led a huge fleet of ships on long voyages, bringing with him not force and plunder, but abundant trade goods, advanced scientific and technological achievements, and the spread of Chinese culture.
Zheng He's seafaring career also reflected the political and economic prosperity of China at that time. The Ming government supported and financed these ocean voyages, demonstrating the strength and self-confidence of the Chinese regime.
In American textbooks, Zheng He's seafaring career is often used to illustrate China's historical maritime power and its more peaceful and open foreign policy. This is in stark contrast to the colonial expansion of Western countries, and it also reflects the values of traditional Chinese culture that attach importance to peaceful development.
By comparing the deeds of Zheng He and Western navigators, American students can better understand China's place and role in history, as well as the differences between Chinese and Western cultures.
——Conclusion——
Although the presentation of Chinese history in American textbooks is relatively objective, there are still some differences in perspective, which reflects the differences in historical cognition between China and the United States.
To overcome these differences, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation and exchanges between China and the United States in historical research and cultural exchanges.
American students should take the initiative to learn about Chinese history and culture, and gain a deeper understanding of the ideological origins and development context behind it, rather than just staying on the surface.
At the same time, China should also step up the dissemination of its historical stories to the world, so that more people can understand and understand China's historical status and cultural characteristics.
It is only through mutual understanding and exchange that misunderstandings can be eliminated and cultural awareness on both sides can be enhanced. This will not only help promote friendly relations between China and the United States, but also promote exchanges and mutual learning among human civilizations and realize a more inclusive and harmonious world.