Block+B+Journal+Monica+Suh

__**2/19**__


 * Please take a couple of minutes to respond to the reading. What stood out for you? What do you think of it, is it exaggerated?**

I think that by reading this packet on the Confucianism and the legacy of women, I was given a chance to deeply think about my ancestors' past. As a women, the thing that stood out for me was how Koreans took the concept of Confucianism too far beyond what was essentially given and what it meant. Due to this, it caused an unfair society to against women and some of those traditions still go on till this day. I do not think that this is exaggerated because when I listened to my grandmother's childhood stories, the biased perspective that Koreans have towards women really had affected her. Men and women were never once equal, but during this time, the situation was even more severe. Women had no rights, or barely any compared to men. A women was portrayed to be merely a husband's wife, a child's mother, and not as an significant individual.


 * __2/23__

If Rabbit is too smart for his own good, Owl is the Brain, and Piglet...Pooh...?**

In Milne's //Winnie-the-Pooh,// Hoff describes Rabbit to be a figure that is too smart for his own good. He describes Owl to represent the Confucianist Desiccated Scholar, the one who studies knowledge for the sake of knowledge and keeps what he learns to himself or to his own group. Now, Piglet and Pooh both represent similar yet slightly different figures. Piglet symbolizes a person who ponders throughout life, questioning everything and tagging along to his "Winnie the Pooh" friends. Piglet asks harmless questions about the various philosophies mentioned by his friends.These questions are similar to the ones that the audience has. However, Piglet is a follower, not a leader, he is too scared himself to do as Pooh, which is the key distinction between Pooh and Piglet. Lastly, Pooh is known to be the "Uncarved Block," and represents the simple-mindedness of Taoists. As stated in the book, Pooh "just is."  __**2/26**__

**The Tao says that the ruler should "rule by inaction" How do you make sense of this? Is it at all possible?**

The Tao believes that the ruler should "rule by inaction," meaning that they should not try to over rule the people. In Taoism, it is believed that the ultimate tool that should be used in order to control in a Taoist society is just by going with your Inner Nature; not to interfere or meddle with nature's true flow. Even without going against the flow of nature and constantly trying too hard to accomplish something, things can get done. Therefore, being effortless is the main concept of Taoism, for it can untangle any problems that occur, rather than by just using physical force or intellectual power. Because of this, a Taoist ruler should practice the concept of Wu Wei and rule by inaction. However, I believe that it is impractical that a ruler does nothing. In current society, it is difficult to find a government that has a ruler who goes by the Taoist ways. This is mainly because if the ruler doesn't have the power or tries to ruler, then no one will follow him, and he/she will be replaced. In reality, this Taoist concept cannot be followed out for it goes against many of the present ways of governing people and society as a whole.

__**3/2**__


 * 1) Why is a Bisy Backson always busy? Explain.**

According to the book, a Bisy Backson is described to be a person who is always busy. They do not take a true rest. The Bisy Backson works, works, and works, no matter if he is playing or exercising, it is all related to working. Also, a Bisy Backson is always moving around, going somewhere, to a place where he has been. Always on a search looking for a "Reward" of some sort. However, the Bisy Backson is only making his life harder for himself. Bisy Backsons should just walk, without thinking of anything in particular, actually just enjoying Nature as it is. Like Hoff states, "When we have to take time to enjoy our surroundings and appreciate being alive, we find that we have no time to be Bisy Backsons anymore" (112).


 * 9) According to Taoism what seems to be more important, the journey or the end result? Explain.**

In Taoism, the journey to reach the goal is more important than the goal itself. Taoists believe that it is worth more to learn something during this process, rather than cherishing the end result. What makes us happy in life is the process that we go through in order to reach our goals because the anticipation and awareness that builds during the process is where we fee the ultimate happiness and fun in our lives. The goal itself doesn't mean as much when it is reached and the reward is not as rewarding as it seemed when it wasn't given. However, this does not mean that the goals are not important' they are important because that is the cause for people to go through the process. It is this process that we go through that brings us true happiness, wisdom, and satisfaction. To endure and experience the process is more beneficial to us than just having reached the goal. Thus, as stated in the book, "Enjoyment of the process is the secret that erases the myths of the Great Reward and Saving time. Perhaps this can help to explain the everyday significance of the world Tao, the Way" (112).


 *  __3/11__

Explain right mindfulness and right concentration. Do you see how you could apply this to your daily life? Why or why not?**

Right mindfulness in Buddhism is the seventh step in the Eightfold Path. It involves precision and clarity. We are mindful of the smallest, minute details of or experience. In addition to this, we are mindful of the way we talk, the way we carry out our jobs, our posture, our attitude towards our closest people (friends and family). Therefore, one must be aware of what is around you and yourself. Right concentration, or also known as absorption, is the eighth point of the path. Our minds are completely captivated by all sorts of entertainment and speculations. Right absorption means that we are completely absorbed in things as they are, or nowness. This can only happen if we have some sort of discipline, such as sitting meditation. Thus, right concentration can be acted through meditation and concentrating the mind, while right mindfulness can be applied in our lives through our actions. Focusing by meditation and being aware of what we do in every moment, even right now, can be advantageous, in that we will make less mistakes.
 * Meditation cuts through absentmindedness

 __**4/1**__

I**n describing Japanese development, a British Professor in 1873 declared that he felt 400 years old by the end of the century. Explain the historical context behind this quote.**

I believe that the British Professor felt so old because there was so much development in so little time that he could have kept up to date with all the developments that occurred. Probably, the reason why the British Professor proposed about how he felt 400 years old by the end of the century during the rising of Japanese development, for after a century later, Japan built itself to a real, modernized nation, which could stay equally, along with the Western countries. Japan rapidly reformed itself into something that could have been done after developing for 400 years. Thus, since Japan succeeded in changing itself that could have been done after 400 years, it was right and understandable for the professor to say that he felt like 400 years old. Japan developed at an incredible pace. 
 * __4/3__

Analyze the quote from the New York Times, April 5, 1872: "The question is not infrequently asked... is not Japan going ahead too fast? In some respects we fear she is."** **What is the context of this quote, and do you agree with this quote?** The quote is initially indicating the rapid development of Japan. It is true that since Japan had a model to look at when developing, they grew at a much faster speed than the Americans or Westerners had. It says that this fast growth will have a negative consequence some time in the future. I agree to it however, there hasn't been much of a problem until now. The writer must have feared this since Japan has a long tradition that will be destroyed and it might cause revolts. I believe that the editor of the New York Times is in fear, for fast development also means fast "break down" of the country. Moreover, many people would go "against" the idea of this fast changing state of Japan into a "westernized" country. Furthermore, because of the "rapid speed" that the country had to keep up with, force and violence were used to just crush those "anti-change" people down. In fact, this happened in reality during sometime in 1877, when a rebellion, led by a samurai class, had occurred. Due to this event, 6000 government troops had died.

 **__4/13__

What do you find most shocking about what you have read so far? How do you make sense of such cruelty?** Personally, I find what the Japanese soldiers did to the innocent Chinese civilians the most shocking. It seems as if their actions are inhumane, for they burn people alive with oil, cut the heads off of people, stab them with military weapons, shoot them without a moment of hesitation, rape women in the most brutal way, and committing all of this as this were a mere game. Especially considering women and younger children, it is more shocking, The Japanese cut the breasts off of the women and nail them to the walls, also, they put in newborn babies into boiling pots of water. All of this is truly unbelievable and I cannot imagine anyone doing these actions with no sense of sympathy or guilt. This sense of cruelty even astonished the Nazis at the time, and I cannot make sense of this cruelty and I believe that their reasoning for doing this is not right.

Do you think it was safer to be a communist or anti-communist during the Korean War?
Based on the readings, I believe that it was safer to be a Communist for the majority of the war because the city of Seoul was most of the North Kore=an people live din ares such as Pyongyang and other cities that were less often strike by the anti-Communists. The South Koreans, especially the vast majority that lived in Seoul were constantly being told to get out of the city and then when the U.S. was brought in, they inhabited Seoul once more, and yet again was forced to evacuate. As you can see, there is a lesser chance that one will survive if they live in Seoul, compared to those who live in Pyongyang. During the second occupation of Seoul the escape to the south was even more desperate. This flight was ahead of the Chinese who were routing the U.N. forces and moving the front south at a rapid pace. Civilians in Seoul were panicking, especially when they saw the fast pace of the military that was heading South. North Koreans kidnapped a lot of South Korean and 280.00 were force into the North Korean military.

 **__4/30__ Do countries have an obligation to compensate each other for injustices done in time of war?** When injustice is done, the countries do have the right and obligation to compensate for the injustice. However, it will be very difficult for the authorities to actually track down the injustices in the streets. Take the Korean War as an example, there was so much injustice to the Christians, the families that refused to send their husbands, and ill-treatment towards anyone who looked suspicious. Thus, it would be impossible to compensate for the injustice in the wars but I believe it is mandatory because it is partially their fault for causing such damages. If a country had been aggressive towards another country, that country is obliged. However, if that country is under severe economic hardship, then the compensation can come later- just that it needs to happen some time. However, this is not seen in all countries, of course, since not all countries accept the fact that they had been once aggressors. However, although it a widely discussed issue, the compensation could bring negative outcomes, seen through Treaty of Versailles or may be in controversy as to how much money needs to be compensated.

__**5/7**__

The U.S. had to consider that there were troops from Manchuria sent in however, the U.S. ponder upon the matter of why the Communist China would decide to intervene in the war. As for the Yalu River march, it was hard to judge the intentions of the Chinese. This shows how the U.S couldn't fully act confidently because there were some uncertainties that had to be considered. Moreover the aftermaths of any intervention or conflicts with Communist countries were dangerous at this point.The Americans had to consider if they were going to cross the line and see the reaction of China, whether or not they were willing to enter the war.
 * 1. What did the U.S. have to consider in regards to China and the Yalu River?**

According to the reading, new North Koreans and Chinese materials made it clear that China did not enter the war as a defensive measure to protect its border, rather that Mao determined early in the war that if the North Koreans hesitated, China had a duty to come to their aid because of the sacrifice of so many Koreans in the Chinese revolution and the anti-Japanese resistance. In addition to this, China stated that they entered the Korean War because China had an obligation to come to help due to the sacrifices of North Koreans during the Chinese Revolution and the anti-Japanese resistance. The Americans thought that it was to protect its borders of Manchuria and were setting up defense in the border lines. Also there was the intervention of the Americans in which the Chinese promised to fully aid the North Koreans in such case. Thus, the main reason why China entered the war was to help the Koreans, for they helped China in several wars in the past as well. For example, Koreans participated in the Chinese civil war, war of liberation, Northern expedition 1925 - 1927, land reform war 1927 - 1937, and anti-Japanese war 1937-1945. Thus, China wanted its army to be recognized as a "volunteer army".
 * 2. According to the reading, what was the reason China entered the war?**

There was an attack in the UN front lines, ROK were disarrayed and put into a state of disorder, and the US troops fully engaged in the Korean War, however were forced to retreat.Thus, the Chinese army entering the war affected the troops in a tremendous deal. The US and UN troops retreated and retreated until in the end, all troops to come up with the solution of having 38th parallel, where Korea was divided into North and South Korea.
 * 3. What effect did Chinese intervention have on the US, ROK, and UN troops?**

__**5/26**__


 * Explain what the main ideas of the last few paragraphs are; evaluate Biao's reasons for the revolution. Does his argument sense? Is it reasonable?**

The main ideas of the last few paragraphs are that Lin Biao is aware of the fact that there are counterrevolutionaries of the Cultural Revolution, even within the party itself. There are the people who yearn to be restored to rule. Thus, Lin Biao argues that they must attack first before the counterrevolutionaries attack them.

In addition to this, Lin Biao also states that they must not fear chaos. Instead, they must put daring and not fear above everything else. Because if they do not, they will commit great political errors. He concludes by saying that the Chinese should all follow Mao Zedong's thoughts and ideas in order to correct by removing the existing errors themselves: ... and thus enabled the entire Party under the banner of Mao Zedong Thought to further unite.

In conclusion, Lin Biao made an argument that the reason why the Cultural Revolution took place was in order for the social consciousness to catch up to the economic changes being made. In addition to this, if the social morals and behaviors cannot catch up, they would begin to go back and retrogress into China's poor past. His argument does make a good point, and it also follows Mao's thoughts. In my opinion as well, that a society must develop by looking back at and fixing their old traditional morals and social behaviors. However, I do not agree that the Cultural Revolution was necessary for this change to occur. There are other ways that the nation's social consciousness could potentially catch up to the economic changes. Although Lin Biao's argument may be partially correct, it could not be the complete reason for the revolution for it is not wholly reasonable in my perspective.

REACTIONS TO MAO:
 * __6/2__**

-1966, Bei Jr. 26 yr old teacher expressed his feelings when he first saw Mao. -people are honest and excited towards Mao -Glad that he could actually see chair man Mao -Proud of seeing him. -People are significantly devoted to Mao, portray importance of Mao and his cult of personality

Effects: -People were becoming more devoted -suicides later because he gets the label of being a counterrevolutionists just because he got into an argument with a Red Guard, however, this man is actually a devoted revolutionist. -conflicts between the Red Guards between counterrevolutionists. -shows how much power the Red Guards possessed -Shows the chaos of the revolution and how the Red Guards appealed to the people: power and revenge.

-Wen Ron Fen -29 yr old student writes a letter to Mao about Mao's actions -criticizes Mao and shows that not everyone was devoted to Mao -Was against the revolution of Mao/cultural revolution, he was sent to prison for life. -Inform Mao that some people actually went against him.

-RED GUARDS SMASH THE "FOUR OLDS"

-written by the red guards at a Beijing middle school, at the beginning of the cultural revolution -purpose: enforce the importance of having revolutionary spirits. Encourage people to become revolutionaries. -In order to do this, it gives a plan about what they need to do in order to promote Mao's ideas

1. destroy old ideologies completely (culture, custom, habits) 2. promote Mao's thoughts by going against the bourgeoise. 3. emphasis on Little Red Book, buy and carry one to study 4. Require everyone to have pictures and quotations of Mao at home 5. singing revolutionary songs 6. Newspapers on the first page has to print Mao's thoughts

-Important info,: -Shows how radical the students were and how you can get much revolutionary ideas even from the younger generation, had more extreme faith in Mao. The youth held the visions for future China, like becoming a global power in the world. Shows how students were so passionate about it and they were trained and educated this way.

-BURNING BOOKS -written by a daughter of a member of the Black Gang, this was a group that was against the Red Guards (were the enemies) -The daughter was not allowed to be a Red Guard although she wanted to be one because she was the daughter of a member of the Black Gang. These people were only labeled that way, not necessarily having to do with their personal opinions about the revolution.
 * Black Gang: labeled given to bourgeoisie, considered class enemies.

-During the late 1960s -The Red Guards were made to burn books that didn't have Mao's approval. Also, the Red Guards whipped the Black Gang. -talks about all the books being replaced by Red Guards -reveals the real side of the Red guards hidden behind the propaganda -abused the members of the black gang -demonstrates the actions that the Red Guards did to ordinary people -destroyed everything that went against Mao (even culture and tradition) -important: first experience of people who were not in Red Guards -revealed the truth of revolution -repressed people that did not share the same opinion as Mao. -happened in a Beijing middle school

-SIXTEEN POINTS

-Were written in the newspaper, written by the Chinese government in 1966 -The main point was to launch ideas that thus, changed the manipulated society, education and art. -Criticized the traditional values and burned them down -Used posters and debate din order to acknowledge political awareness -Mao wanted to combine the city and country together -Mao's will was to bring the workers, peasants, soldiers, together -Importance: the Chinese government is able to manipulate every signal aspect of the society, includes media and education.

Q. Responding to Images: What does this tell you about the Cultural Revolution? What is being smashed?

We can see that there are various pictures from the revolution that show what happened to any counterrevolutionaries or "class enemies." People were publicly humiliated, stepped on in front of an enormous number of people on a stage, cut their hair, had signs around their necks that labeled them counterrevolutionaries, dunce hats were worn for shame, were abused in other forms of public humiliation and shame. People also got rid of or vandalized the statue of Buddha, Confucius and other religious figures or anything that had to do with religion. Although these people might be seen to have committed big crimes, it was most likely due to one's occupation that they were publicly humiliated. People like teachers, priests, the Black Gang and others. It is evident that the people were smashing the religious statues such as the statues of Confucius and Buddha.

__**6/4**__

Reflections on the Cultural Revolution pages 82-84

1) When was this document written and by whom? This document was written by the CCP Central committee on June 27, 1981.

2) According to the document, who was largely to blame for the excesses and mistakes of the Cultural Revolution?

According to the document, it was **not** Mao Zedong, but the Gang of Four: Lin Biao, Jiang Qing, and two others, who were largely to blame for the excesses and mistakes of the Cultural Revolution. They were blamed because they had assembled up two counterrevolutionary cliques in an attempt to seize supreme power and took advantage of Mao's errors, committed many crimes behind his back, which brought the disaster to the country and the people.

3) What errors does the CCP believe Mao was responsible for?

The CCP believes that the history of the "Cultural Revolution" proved Mao's principle theses for initiating this revolution conformed neither to Marxism-Lenninism not to the Chinese reality. His theses represented an entirely erroneous appraisal of the prevailing class relations and political situation in the party and the state. In addition to this, his other error had been that he had assigned positions to Lin Biao and Jiang Qing and put them in power. He ended

4) Who seems most responsible according to the document? How does this play into the memory of Mao as a leader and his Cult of Personality?

According to the document, it seems that Mao is the most responsible because he was the one who had originally initiated and led the Cultural Revolution. However, by the end of the Cultural Revolution, it was not Mao who gets blamed for all the errors that took place. People perceive Mao as this hero-like figure who is a great leader that never makes mistakes. It is not Mao who uses the Cult of Personality, but it is the Party itself and the people who percieve him that way. The usage of propaganda also plays a role in this process. So although it was Mao who started the Cultural Revolution, he was not to be blamed, was the thought of the people.

5) What does the CCP believe the consequences of the Cultural Revolution are? (4 of them) each person in your group read one, and explain it to others.

The CCP believes that the consequences of the Cultural Revolution are:

1. The negation of many "correct principles, policies, and achievements" made before. The revolution basically tear down everything that was 'right' set up by the socialists as well as the Central Committee, People's Government, and even Mao's own contributions.

2.The confusing of right and wrong led to confusing the people with the enemy. The capitalist leaders were leading cadres of the Party and government organizations at all levels. They caused the core force of socialist cause. Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping did not exist. Lin Biao and Jiang Qing was framed as "hidden" traitors. The criticism of the reactionary academic authorities in the cultural revolution during which many capable and accomplished intellectuals were attacked and also badly muddled up the distinction between the people and the enemy.

3. The CCP believed that the Cultural Revolution was conducted by directly relying on the masses. After the Cultural Revolution had started, the party organizations were attacked and were paralyzed and the many activists and large numbers of the basic masses whom the party has long relied on were all rejected.

4. The CCP believes that the Cultural Revolution didn't change anything in terms of successes but could only bring grave disorder, damage, and retrogression, which would ultimately return China to its poor past. However, some progress was made in China's economy despite its losses; this included grain output increased relatively, and achievements were made in technology, industry, communications, science, and capital construction. Despite all this, in the document it states that without the Cultural Revolution, the Chinese would have scored far greater achievements. The CCP mentions how they had suffered from the sabotage by the counterrevolutionary Lin Biao and Jiang Qing during the Cultural Revolution. Along with this the CCP also states that the Party, the people's political power, the people's army, and Chinese society remained unchanged. Since it is unchanged, people thus think that their Party and socialist system are both strong.

6) Why do you think the document mentions achievements made by China during the Cultural Revolution?

I think that the document mentions achievements made by China during the Cultural Revolution to show that Mao's ways did bring positive effects to China and the Cultural Revolution wasn't established for nothing. The CCP wants to focus more on how the Cultural Revolution was a failure due to Lin Biao and Jiang Qing, however still glorify Mao's ways and intentions for the cultural revolution. Thus, one of the major the achievements was how China was able to take out the coutnerrevolutinaries. In addition to this, the production increased in China and the Party and the socialist system did not change. By mentioning these achievements it shows Chinese nationalism and the pride that exists in China.

7) Describe the tone at the end of the document. Why do you think it ends this way?

The tone at the end of the document was rather nationalistic. The document ended with a list of achievements that China had fulfilled, which brings up nationalism and support from the Chinese people.