The Significance of the Ancient Silk Road in China

The ancient Silk Road in China is not just an ordinary route or road. It has a great significance to history because of its contributions that affected not only China but the whole Asia itself and as well as the western world. This road was basically intended for some economic activities that involve trading and exchanging of goods. But later, there was a more complex outcome.

What is a Silk Road? 

It is an ancient strategic channel that is composed of different interlinking trade routes starting from China going to different   places such as Central Asia, West Africa, Africa, Europe, and west Asia. Actually, it started in China during the Han Dynasty for the Chinese to trade their Silk to the neighboring countries. Then time came that several extensions were made for improvement.  

The Results of Trading of Goods

The economic activity in the ancient Silk Road serves as a foundation of the whole outcome which is actually more significant than trading. The exchange of goods also means that there was an exchange of information, culture, belief, ideas, technologies, and resources. And the following are the few examples of things which are being exchanged:

• Paper Making
• Buddhism
• Christianity
• Islam
• Gun Powder
• Books
• Philosophies
• Civil Service
• Architectural Designs
• Painting
• Music
• Stories
• Compass
• Calendar System
• Mathematics
• Printing
• Raising of Silk Worms
• Astronomy
• Bronze-Smelting
• Medical Science

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These are only very few among the many things which were exchanged. Buddhism originated in India, but with the ancient Silk Road, it became the religion of the majority in China up to now. The paper making that was practiced by some Chinese were brought to Central Asia. Gun power from China was brought to several countries as well as in different European countries. That’s why European warriors have invented a better weapon such as bombs in which Chinese were became victims also in the end. One example was during the Opium war when Great Britain attacked China with bombs then Chinese surrendered Hongkong as their peace offering. Chinese were helpless that time because their weapons were no match compare to the big canyons of Britain. (Question: how about their own gun power?) Another interesting thing is the compass invention of the Chinese. This technology paved the way of COLONIALISM when explorers were using this during their exploration for a more accurate direction. But, Chinese did not succeed in their own explorations. But European nations such as Spain Great Britain, France and Portugal invaded a lot of colonies from different parts of the world.

Marco Polo: The Silk Road Traveler and Explorer

Among the travelers of the ancient Silk Road, Marco Polo is the most significant. This man

belongs to a merchant family in Venice, France. Because of trading, his father and uncle reached China and shared a lot of stories to the young Marco Polo. Thus, with all his curiosity, Marco Polo traveled the Silk Road to reach China. During that time, Kublai Khan was the emperor of the Yuan Dynasty. And because of the wit of Marco Polo, he became an official in the high courts of China. He then quickly learned to speak Chinese and Mongolian. Actually, he liked the customs and the traditions in China. He was very observant to everything that happened in there. Thus, his service reached for seventeen years. After that, he went back home by sailing and brought different stories about China. His stories triggered more curiosity to the people of Venice. And because of that there was a book with a title: The Travels of Marco Polo which became very famous in the entire Europe. And because of this, thousands of westerners have traveled to China.

This story only shows how History could be formed by just a simple book of Marco Polo’s travel. His descriptions of the wealth and the beautiful culture of China and other eastern countries of Asia had triggered a lot of emotions, dreams, and longings of the western people. Thus, in the end, many western countries invaded or colonized some countries in Asia with a thought that they could get a lot of gold, spices, and other wealth.

Thus, there’s a great significance of the ancient Silk Road of China. At first, you might not be interested of this road. But once you will dig deeper about this, you will understand that it is very significant not only for China but also to the entire world. Take note that with this kind of route, the Western and the Oriental culture have emerged. So, if you want to make your own travel, why not take a tour to the Ancient Silk Road of China and that would be very interesting.

War in Asia: When was the Vietnam War?

The Vietnam War is one of the longest wars of the 20^th century and caused the humiliating defeat of the United States Army. Much of the fighting took place in Vietnam but neighboring countries like Laos and Cambodia got caught in the wave of the onslaught. So when was the Vietnam War?

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The Vietnam War began on November 1, 1955 and ended on April 30, 1979. It lasted for nineteen and a half years. To understand when the Vietnam War started, it is important to understand who the players were. Ho Chi Minh of the Communist North Vietnamese forces fought against the anti-communist coalition of the Republic of Vietnam from South Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh allied with the Viet Cong, the People’s Republic of China and the Soviet Union. These are countries that supported and implemented communism in their own countries. On the other side, the anti-communist Republic of South Vietnam joined forces with the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand and Laos.

At that time, communism was very a very attractive idea to developing countries in Asia. The aftermath of World War II caused severe damage to infrastructure and economy, moral among people were also at an all-time low. So the idea of sharing equal opportunities and resources seemed very appealing. However, those in power and the upper classes get the lion’s share of everything, leaving those in the lower classes with scraps. The United States entered the war because they want to contain communism. They sent American troops to aid the cause of the anti-communism faction, but it resulted to their humiliating defeat.

The Broadway musical Miss Saigon was set in the time of the Vietnam War when American troops were being pulled out. That happened after a disastrous and bloody encounter happened between the American troops and the Viet Cong. When was the Vietnam War’s tragic episode? It happened on December 6, 1967 when American soldier followed two members of the Viet Cong to a heavily dense forest. Apparently, it was a trap. The American troops were open fired upon by the enemy hidden in among the trees. Claymores exploded, killing many and mortally wounding others. The American soldiers help their ground and fought back with bravery and courage. Some medics who were trying to drag the wounded out of range got killed. By March 1973, the United States and other foreign troops were pulled out from Vietnam. 

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The Vietnam War caused a lot of deaths, with 300,000 soldiers and 3,000,000 civilians from South Vietnam killed. In Cambodia, 200,000 were recorded dead and 30,000 in Laos. From among the American troops 58, 220 were declared dead, 5,099 from South Korea, 1,351 from Thailand, 521 soldiers from Australia, 37 from New Zealand. On the North Vietnamese side and their allies, 1,100,000 soldiers and 2,000,000 civilians were recorded as dead. From the People’s Republic of China an estimated 1,446 died and 16 from the Soviet Union.

When was the Vietnam War officially over? Record dates the end of the war on April 30, 1975 when the capital of South Vietnam, Saigon, fell. Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh city, after the leader of the North Vietnamese faction. In the business of war, no one ends up being a winner. We could consider ourselves lucky that we weren’t there when these tragic events happened.

5 Great Inventions from China That Benefit the World

China is an old as the ancient civilization. Together with the other ancient world, China has these remarkable achievements which are not only for its own but for the whole world. This country is not only remarkable during this present day; but also a long time ago. It has great leaders, great people, great history, great culture, and most importantly great inventions that benefit the entire world. And to uncover them, here are 5 great inventions from China

1.       Civil Service System

This started when the Imperial China implemented its Imperial Examination for those people who will serve the government. They made this system to assure that those officials who will have roles in the government were worthy enough. This started in the Han Dynasty and the exam was actually related to the Five Classics of Confucius. Later on, because of its efficacy, other European countries followed. And after, almost all countries of the world followed this pattern.

2.       The Compass

At first this compass   was made for some ritual practices for the Chinese religion during the   Han Dynasty. However, in the Song Dynasty, it was used for the maritime navigation of the military. Later on, Europe had discovered and recorded these inventions. After that, they followed and they innovated it to a better one. Thus, their exploration throughout the world became successful through the use of compass. After that, colonization became a trend.

3.       Gunpowder

This is the first explosive chemical that was ever developed during the old times. It has burning properties. And it was discovered in China during the 9^th Century. And because of it, the first fireworks and gunpowder weapon were invented in China. Then later on, Europe, India, and the Arab world followed these inventions. So, a better way of having war was discovered just because of the gunpowder.

4.       Paper Currency

Paper currency started in China. As merchants wanted to avoid the heavy bulk copper coins, they used receipts to the banks which later turned into bank notes. After that, paper currency started to evolved. And it was in the Song Dynasty where Paper Currency became a national currency.

5.       Kites

Yes kites are one of the great inventions from China. You may think that it is not that important, however its importance before was very high. In times when the city or any place in China was endangered, kites were used to signal that there was an emergency and help was being needed badly. And in some wars, these were also used to signal help from other group of military as a rescue.

Yes inventions in China were fun and interesting. They were also very important. They may be small or big things; however they changed the lives of the people in China and the entire world up to now. And some of them just came out of necessity, entertainment, survival, and other reasons. So these 5 great of China only remind us to give credit to Chinese people. Thanks for their creativity and hardwork. A big hand for them! :)

Top 10 Interesting Facts of The Taj Mahal

Do you know that there is no place as spectacular as the Taj Mahal in the world? The way it was built and the way it was constructed was so amazing. It is very much memorable and historical. Back in the ancient times in India, this one of a kind building still lives up to now with its timeless magnificence and beauty.
 

But not only that, its controversial history would make you more interested about it. It is a little unbelievable but it’s true. So, read on, and you will be amazed.

Here are the Top 10 Interesting Facts of The Taj Mahal

 

1. Sha Jahan made a tragic order that all hands of the workers should be cut off to make sure that they could not make another beautiful building as Taj Mahal.
   
2. Precious stones came from different parts of Asia like in Tibet, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Panna, and some other parts of Central Asia.
    
   
3. There were 1000 elephants that were used to carry the marble to make the building. 
   
4. The building has the mixture of Hindu and Islamic aesthetics designs. This proved that during that time, there were forces of the Islamic religion and Hindu religion because of the mixtures of races from different places. 
    
   
5. The cost of the building was 32 million Rupees that would be millions of dollars in these times. However, during that times, many people in experience a lot of poverty.
   
   
6. Sha Jahan, the king itself, was later being buried too in Taj Mahal beside his wife after he was being ousted by his own sons.
   
   
7. The architect of the Taj Mahal building was being killed by Sha Jahan just to make sure that he would not make another building as beautiful as Taj Majal.
   
   
8. It took twenty years to complete the building with 20, 000 men who worked on it. Some men died while the construction was going on.
   
   
9. This was made just because of the love an Indian king names Sha Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. So, this is just a tomb of her wife. But remember that her wife was only among of his wives, but she was the favorite. Mumtaz died because of childbirth.
   
   
10. This is made purely of white marble with some precious stones like Sapphire, Jasper , Diamonds, Turquoise, and Red Sand Stone. And it was built in some years of the 1600’s.

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  These are just some of the interesting facts of the Tah Mahal. These are really one of a kind and romantic. Though it has some shades of tragedy, yet in the end, the building will always speak about beauty, love, devotion, and eternity. That is why it was one of the 7 wonders of the world before.