Taiping Rebellion

In 1676 an uprising in Virginia, called Bacon’s Rebellion, occurred. The leader of the rebellion, Nathaniel Bacon, along with a thousand Virginians broke out of control. Nathaniel Bacon, an English man, was sent to Virginia to become a better leader and a leader is what he became. Virginia’s Governor, William Berkeley, was a harsh governor towards the land owners. Berkeley monopolized the Indian’s fur trade and refused to retaliate after multiple Indian attacks on frontier settlements. His…

The few records from Bacon’s rebellion in the English colony of Virginia allows historians ample room to interpret the event. Some regard Bacon as an American hero for initiating the largest and most multicultural rebellion prior to the revolution while others entitle him as an irrational, barbarous anti-hero for his violent actions; however the more I learn about 17th century Virginia, I see Bacon as more of a misunderstood leader and visionary that controversially took matters of the people…

A Comparison and Contrast of Enslavement in the 18th and 19th centuries This paper compares and contrast two different views of enslavement throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. These two responses were created out of a need for explanations about the meaning of slavery. According to Jupiter Hammon, using religion to comfort the slaves would attract their attention and give them hope. According to David Walker, using an Old Testament liberation theology mixed with the natural rights…

During the Seven Years’ War, the British and French military were able to witness firsthand the savagery of the Native American tribes. The Europeans, who primarily practiced what they called “civilized warfare”, found the Indians style of fighting much too barbaric. Instead of face to face combat, the Indians liked to use surprise tactics and ambushes. Many of the Europeans found this style of fighting cowardly, that they could not face their enemy in combat face to face. But this did not at…

How effective were the Late Qing Reforms of Empress Dowager Cixi in modernizing early 20th century China 1902-1908 INTRODUCTION Empress Dowager Cixi (alternatively Tz’u-his) has traditionally been characterized as a powerful obstacle to reform; promulgating Qing conservatism, Manchu values and neo-Confucianism, and, throughout the second half of the 19th century, stolidly resisting political reform. However, from her return to court in 1902 to her death, a dramatic revolution in Cixi’s approach…

A major underlying issue within many cultures in the world is the struggle to either hold on to traditions and values or to move forward with modernization. In the novel Keeper N’ Me by Richard Wagamese, the cultural traditions of the Anishanabe become very important to Garnet Raven who is a disconnected member of the tribe. The major theme in the Movie, The Last Samurai, directed by Edward Zwich is this very issue: tradition versus modernization. The protagonist of this movie Nathan Algren…

In recent years the topic of slavery has become a big hit in the film industry. Films like Ben Hur, Spartacus, Gladiator, and D’jango Unchained have all shared the same theme of slavery. These films tell stories of slaves and the terrible hardship of being held captive. Due to its thought-provoking nature films about slavery have become a reoccurring manifestation in the film industry. As a result of their popularity, slavery has been morphed into an almost glamorized notion. Movies like Ben Hur…

numerous were those women whose names were never recorded but who took part in the poisoning of slave owners; subterfuge plantations; marronage, escape from the plantations to underground camps from where attacks on the plantations were launched; and rebellions (Bell). Marie Jeanne was described as a dark colored woman who was tall and was a nurse in the Haitian Army. She fought besides her husband in the war for freedom. Marie Jeanne was either helping the wounded or fighting in combat (Cadet).…

treats me as less than nothing,” and “when I think of him… it’s absolutely unbearable,” reference her husband. Poems describing current events and the worrisome fate of Chinese women were also written during this time. Qiu’s discussion of the Boxer Rebellion of China and occupation of Beijing can be found among these writings. Maintaining some of her independence, Qiu learned how to fence and ride horses, all while wearing men’s clothing. This embarrassed her husband and started fights…

When modernization is often discussed in classes, it is usually depicted as a rapid welcomed event of progress for the society involved. However, in “A Daughter of Han” by Ida Pruitt, Ning Lao T’ai-t’ai’s autobiographical account illustrates China’s gradual modernization against its reluctant conservative society. Modernity is defined by the presence of themes such as: industrialization, the increase of global integration, the expansion of political participation, the expansion of mass society,…