The Revolution
When thinking about the grievances of Chinese that led to the 1911 Revolution in, it appeared to be a watershed moment in their history (Zhou 33). Therefore, it is wise to disagree strongly with this argument. This revolution was a name rather than a practical experience. It led to the changing of the name dynasty to the Republic of China. The Chinese revolutionaries were fighting for their own gains alone. A revolution should address three main issues which are; changing the system of governance, raising the standards of peoples’ living, and improving the social status of people within the nations. In this regard, this essay will argue that the 1911 Revolution was not necessarily a revolution since it did little to change the underlying socioeconomic conditions and cultural principles as seen in Xie’s case.
Comprehensive analysis on the socioeconomic and cultural ideals of this revolution indicates that the change was necessary for warlords, politicians, and social conservatives (Grasso, Jay, and Kort 56). These conservatives wanted to maintain a status quo and to prevent further revolution that could change their political and social status later.
The social impact of the revolution on the Chinese was moving backwards (Grasso, Jay, and Kort 113). The new social face among the Chinese is worse when compared to the social structure before the revolution. Examples of these impacts include the failure to develop the standards of livelihood and restructure the social systems after the revolution in China. This was attributed to the lack of focus on the social and cultural changes and the particulate attention to the adjustment in governance.
Economically, the wealth remained at the hands of the haves after the revolution (Bo 76). The revolution’s main weakness was the lack of finance to support its activities. This led to the acceptance of Yuan Shi Kai as the president who was noncommittal to the whole course of their revolution (Bo 76). This approved that nothing could be done to change the economic level of China.
Conclusively, the 1911 Revolution was not an alleviation of the socioeconomic standards of the Republic of China but a source of benefits to the revolutionaries and the warlords. Therefore, it is correct to affirm that the revolution was not to benefit the common people.
A Woman Soldier’s Own Story
Context for the provided statement
Xie laments on her predicaments after having fallen out with her parents (Xie and Chia 14). This is the time when Xie has to raise her child as a single mother. She has been involved in the fight against the revolutionaries’ army with the aim of gaining getting her own space. She even refused the arranged marriage and pursues her education. The outcome of this struggle left her without any peace, freedom or any financial stability. Her life did not change much after all.
Symbolism of Xie’s struggle
The main struggles of Xie are freedom and peace as a woman. She feels that the culture in China is uncivilized and should be abandoned. These struggles are depicted by what the feminist movements emphasize. The movements have their policies based on what Xie expected from her struggles. Through her book, the feminists’ movements have been heard in the feudal society of China (Xie 78).
The movements fight for their rights to be recognized in the same rank as the other members of society. They need the marriages that are arranged to be abandoned. Girl child education has also been a major concern for these movements. The responsibilities of women in China have also become the center stage for their struggle. These are apparent when review the jobs that they are engaged in. For instance, Xie left her parents to join the army before leaving it and rejoining it later. She realized her peace when she rejoined the troops indicating the importance of women’s passion for any job. Therefore, Xie’s struggles relate to the New Culture Movements of China.
Works Cited
Bo, Zhiyue. The history of modern China. Philadelphia: Mason Crest Publishers, 2006. Print.
Grasso, June, Jay Corrin, and Michael Kort. Modernization and Revolution in China. Rev. ed. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe, 1997. Print.
Xie, Bingying, and Lily Chia. A woman soldier’s own story the autobiography of Xie Bingying. New York: Columbia University Press, 2001. Print.
Zhou, Kate. China’s long march to freedom: grassroots modernization. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction Publishers, 2009. Print.