Late Qing Dynasty: The Chinese Poor Workers as Written by the Western Media, the Struggle and Survival under Slavery
In the late Qing Dynasty, China's social landscape was a magnificent picture, most notably the poor workers portrayed by the Western media. They were at the bottom of society, suffering oppression and exploitation from all sides, and their living conditions were presented in various ways by the Western media, becoming a microcosm of Chinese society in that era.
1. The living conditions of poor workers
During the late Qing Dynasty, China's industrialization and urbanization were slow, and most workers were still engaged in traditional agricultural and handicraft labor. However, with the aggression and exploitation of the foreign powers, more and more workers were drawn into the whirlpool of capitalism and became the objects of enslavement.
According to Western media reports, the living conditions of these poor workers are extremely poor. They live in cramped, dark and damp huts in cramped huts or thatched huts, with poor hygiene. Due to the chronic lack of nutrition and medical conditions, the workers are generally weak and sick. Their wages are extremely low, and they are often able to maintain the most basic living expenses, and even suffer from deductions and exploitation by contract foremen.
In terms of working conditions, poor workers face great dangers and hardships. They are required to perform heavy manual labor in harsh environments, such as mining, handling, weaving, etc. These jobs are not only labor-intensive, but also often accompanied by serious safety hazards. However, due to the necessity of life, the workers had to endure these pains and sufferings and continue to work for the capitalists.
2. The Description and Influence of the Western Media
In the late Qing Dynasty, as the invasion and exploitation of China by Western powers intensified, the Western media also began to report and describe the current social situation in China extensively. Among them, the reports on poor workers are particularly eye-catching.
These reports are often presented in the form of pictures and texts, and through detailed text descriptions and vivid picture displays, readers can intuitively feel the miserable life of poor workers. These reports contain sympathy and pity for the plight of the workers, but more importantly, they expose and criticize the corruption, incompetence and social darkness of the Qing government.
These Western media reports had a profound impact on Chinese society at the time. On the one hand, they have made more people aware of the tragic plight of poor workers and aroused people's sympathy and sense of justice. On the other hand, they also exacerbated social contradictions and conflicts and promoted the continuous development of the anti-imperialist and anti-feudal struggle.
3. Struggle and survival under slavery
In the face of oppression and exploitation from all sides, the poor workers did not give up their struggle and struggle. They express their dissatisfaction and demands through various means, and fight for their legitimate rights and interests.
However, in the face of powerful capital and power, the struggles of the poor workers often seem insignificant. Not only do they have to face brutal exploitation and oppression, but they also have to endure discrimination and exclusion from the government and society. This makes their road to struggle full of hardships and twists and turns.
However, it was these insignificant struggles and struggles that constituted the truest and most vivid part of Chinese society in that era. They show us the courage and strength of the poor workers to seek hope in the midst of despair and to hold on to their dignity in the face of suffering.
IV. Conclusion
The poor Chinese workers of the late Qing Dynasty were a tragic group. They live at the lowest level of society and suffer from oppression and exploitation from all sides. However, it is these hardships and struggles that shape their tenacity and spirit. Their stories tell us that hope in the face of adversity and dignity in the face of suffering are the most precious treasures of human beings.
At the same time, we should also deeply reflect on the social system and values of that era. Only by establishing a social system that is just, equal, and respectful of human rights can we fundamentally eliminate the misery and plight of poor workers. Let us remember the history, cherish the present, look forward to the future, and work together for a better future!
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