In the 1860s with the country facing imminent collapse, the Tongzhi Restoration gave a sigh of relief for the ailing Qing Dynasty. After the Second Opium War and gains against numerous rebellions, prominent officials started the Self-Strengthening Movement aimed at developing the economy and modernizing the military. The Movement established several projects aimed to contribute to the country’s modernization.
Friday, December 11, 2020
6 Projects of the Self-Strengthening Movement
Labels:
19th century,
Asia,
China,
Economy,
Industry
In the 1860s with the country facing imminent collapse, the Tongzhi Restoration gave a sigh of relief for the ailing Qing Dynasty. After the Second Opium War and gains against numerous rebellions, prominent officials started the Self-Strengthening Movement aimed at developing the economy and modernizing the military. The Movement established several projects aimed to contribute to the country’s modernization.
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Who was Zeng Guofan?
Labels:
19th century,
Asia,
China,
Political,
Qing (Manchu) Dynasty
Zheng Guofan (November 26, 1811 – March 12, 1872) lived as an
intellectual, military commander, and statesman. He fought and defeated the
largest and most brutal rebellion in history. While as a statesman, he
dedicated his life to his country’s revival and hoped for a better China, one
capable of defending itself from imperialism.
Sunday, December 6, 2020
Accounts: Yung Wing Describing Zeng Guofan
Labels:
19th century,
Asia,
China,
Primary Source
In 1863, Yung Wing or Rong Hong, the earliest known Chinese graduate of
Yale College received an invitation for a meeting with Zeng Guofan, a venerable
Qing official and commander of the Hunan Army fighting the Taiping rebellion in
the Yangtze Valley. Yung Wing just went from a tea district under the control
of the Taiping and feared an interrogation or a reprimand, but the meeting
turned out to be for an assignment to purchase machines for the future Jiangnan
Arsenal – part of the Self-Strengthening Movement that Zeng supported.
Saturday, October 31, 2020
Self-Strengthening Movement and Qing Industrialization - Part 2
Labels:
19th century,
Asia,
China,
Economy,
Political,
Qing (Manchu) Dynasty,
Warfare
Heraclitus said “There is nothing permanent except change” and it applies to life at the smallest and to society at the largest. When faced with challenges and difficulties, a change in ways seemed the correct path, but the question that follows: how to change or what to change? This question represented the Self-Strengthening Movement and its quest for the industrialization of China under the Qing Dynasty.
Self-Strengthening Movement and Qing Industrialization - Part 1
Labels:
19th century,
Asia,
China,
Economy,
Education,
Qing (Manchu) Dynasty,
Warfare
Heraclitus said “There is nothing permanent except change” and it applies to life at the smallest and to society at the largest. When faced with challenges and difficulties, a change in ways seemed the correct path, but the question that follows: how to change or what to change? This question represented the Self-Strengthening Movement and its quest for the industrialization of China under the Qing Dynasty.
Saturday, October 17, 2020
The 8 Things to Know About Zhang Zhidong
Labels:
19th century,
Asia,
China,
Political
The Tongzhi Restoration ushered a period of stability and progress in the middle of the so-called Century of Humiliation. In this period, local officials went into the forefront of development and modernization supporting industries, education, and the military. Among these local leaders included the prominent Li Hongzhang and Zeng Guofan as well as the lesser-known but nevertheless influential Zhang Zhidong.
Sunday, September 27, 2020
Who was Gustavus Adolphus? - Part 1
Labels:
17th century,
Europe,
Political,
Ruler,
Sweden
The Lion of the North, as many called Gustavus Adolphus, started his reign at a young age and oversaw war, reform, and cooperation. All led to the establishment of Sweden as a Baltic superpower.
Funding an Empire - Gustavus Adolphus and the Swedish Economy
Labels:
17th century,
Economy,
Europe,
Sweden
Sweden emerged as a great power in the 17th century despite its numerous deficiencies. Nevertheless, this kingdom transformed into a force to be reckoned within less than 50 years.
Saturday, September 26, 2020
The 7 Things to Know About Catherine of Braganza
Labels:
17th century,
Europe,
Great Britain,
Queen
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Who was the Empress Dowager Cixi? - Part 2
Labels:
19th century,
20th century,
Asia,
China,
Political,
Qing (Manchu) Dynasty,
Women
With another 5-year old Emperor in the throne, Cixi once again played
the role of regent. With the 1st regency running from 1875 – 1879, while
the 2nd regency saw its course from 1898 – 1908. Her regency during the reign
of the Guangxu Emperor earned her the notoriety her name became synonymous with.
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Monday, August 17, 2020
Saturday, August 1, 2020
Who was Yuan Shikai? - Part 2
Labels:
19th century,
Asia,
China,
Political,
Qing (Manchu) Dynasty,
Ruler
While the Qing Dynasty suffered its decline, Yuan’s fate saw the
opposite. He rose up to become of the most influential officials and court.
However, with this rise, he collected enemies who strike against him in the
most opportune time. From then on he faced a roller coaster ride of ups and
downs that would lead him to one of the most prominent figures in a time of
great turbulence in Chinese history.
Friday, July 31, 2020
Who was Yuan Shikai? - Part 1
Labels:
19th century,
Asia,
China,
Political,
Qing (Manchu) Dynasty,
Ruler

Sunday, June 28, 2020
Who was Sir John Bowring? - Part 2
Labels:
19th century,
England,
Europe,
Great Britain

Who was Sir John Bowring? - Part 1
Labels:
19th century,
England,
Europe,
Great Britain

The Neolithic Jericho
Labels:
Asia,
Israel,
Prehistory
Jericho held the title of the longest inhabited
settlement in history. It turned into a legend after its walls came tumbling
down through the sounds of trumpets of Joshua and the Israelites. Since then it
became a place of pilgrimage and later on of further study for development of
humanity during the Neolithic Age.
![]() |
Jericho, 1931 |
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Tell Abu Hureyra: A Neolithic Community Beneath a Lake
Labels:
Asia,
Prehistory,
Syria

Saturday, June 13, 2020
Monday, May 25, 2020
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Saturday, May 23, 2020
Friday, May 8, 2020
Who was Bandar Singh Bahadur?
Labels:
18th century,
Asia,
India,
South Asia,
Warfare
Guru Gobind galvanized a generation of Sikhs
earning him enormous respect second only to Guru Nanak. After his assassination
in 1708, he said to have ordered a slave of his to punish the Mughals that have
done harm to Sikhism. This man who declared himself as a servant of the Guru
named Banda Singh Bahadur.
![]() |
Banda Singh Bahadur (image from sikhwiki.org) |
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Who was Guru Gobind Singh?
Labels:
17th century,
18th century,
Asia,
India,
Pakistan,
Religion,
South Asia,
Warfare
Friday, May 1, 2020
Sunday, April 26, 2020
Friday, April 24, 2020
Founders: Guru Nanak of Sikhism

Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Sunday, April 19, 2020
The House of Barakzai of Afghanistan - Part 3
Labels:
20th century,
Afghanistan,
Asia,
Political,
South Asia
Nadir Khan became Nadir Shah after deposing King Amanullah in 1929. Amanullah's downfall came no surprise after the late King imposed rapid reformation of the country striking a strong core of traditionalism of Afghans. Barakzai Kings must then rule country respecting tradition yet maintain a course of reform in a slower and gradual pace or face downfall.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
The House of Barakzai of Afghanistan - Part 2
Labels:
19th century,
20th century,
Afghanistan,
Asia,
Political,
South Asia
After the Second Anglo-Afghan War, Afghanistan rebuild under the
leadership fo Abdur Rahman. As the new century came near, new challenges
confronted the Barakzai Dynasty. Other than maintaining peace with imperial powers,
the Barakzai also faced the reality of change – modernization, westernization,
and reformation. They must steer the country towards stable progress against a
backdrop of rigid traditionalism and tribalism.
![]() |
Afghan troops, 1900's |
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
What Happened during the First Anglo-Afghan War?
Labels:
Afghanistan,
Asia,
Diplomacy,
South Asia,
War
Many great powers had fallen to the quagmire of Afghanistan. The most recent, the United States and NATO found it difficult to stabilize the country and more so during the previous invasion of the country by the Soviet Union in the 20th century. And even prior that century, the British Empire faced difficulty in subduing the Afghan people that began with the First Anglo-Afghan War.
Monday, March 23, 2020
Founders: Dost Mohammad of the Barakzai Dynasty
Labels:
19th century,
Afghanistan,
Asia,
Diplomacy,
Political,
Ruler,
South Asia

Sunday, March 8, 2020
Prussian Reform Movement: Stein, Humboldt, Hardenberg
Labels:
19th century,
Europe,
Germany,
Political
The 19th century dawned with turbulence as Europe
reached a cross road between 2 paths – the continuation of the old order and
transformation to the new order. The Kingdom of Prussia saw right into the eyes
of the abyss that led to rise of reformist ministers. The Prussian Reform
Movement placed the kingdom towards change.
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