Submit A 2-Page Outline Of A Paper You Could Write
Submita 2 Pageoutlineof A Paper You Could Write In Response To One Of
Submit a 2 page outline of a paper you could write in response to one of the three essay prompts listed below. You are not writing a paper, you are writing down your outline for a paper. You may draw on sources from any of the attached for this assignment. Essay Prompts for the Paper Outlines : (follow the prompt for that theme) Imperialism Theme It has been an argument of this class that colonialism or imperialism has been a constant and crucial theme of modern East Asian history, even after the period of formal colonialism ended in 1945. Write a short essay analyzing how colonialism has been understood by specific authors in at least three sources from across the twentieth century. How do they identify the features of colonialism or imperialism? How do they assess its impact on their lives or the lives of their compatriots and neighbors? What measures do they advocate (if any) in response?
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
This paper aims to analyze how different authors have understood and interpreted colonialism and imperialism in East Asian history throughout the twentieth century. Focusing on three key sources from different periods, the goal is to compare their identification of imperialism’s features, assess its impacts, and examine the measures they propose or support in response. Understanding these perspectives highlights the continuity of colonial and imperial themes beyond formal colonial periods and underscores their influence on regional history and individual experiences.
Source Selection and Historical Context
The first source is Sun Yat-sen’s writings from the early 20th century, advocating for anti-imperialist movements and promoting national sovereignty. The second is Mao Zedong’s “On the Question of Colonialism” (1920s), which critiques colonialism as a form of exploitation and links it to revolutionary goals. The third source is a post-1945 account by Japanese author Haruki Murakami, reflecting on the lingering impacts of imperialism on individual identity and societal development in East Asia. Each source represents a different perspective and era, providing a comprehensive view of how imperialism is understood over time.
Understanding and Identifying Features of Colonialism/Imperialism
Sun Yat-sen characterizes imperialism as an aggressive form of domination by Western powers, marked by economic exploitation, territorial seizure, and cultural suppression. He emphasizes the need for national unity and resistance as crucial features of colonialism. Mao’s critique centers on economic exploitation and political oppression; he identifies imperialism as a system designed to extract resources and maintain subordinate colonial states, fostering dependency and hindering true independence.
Haruki Murakami explores the psychological and cultural aftermath of colonialism, emphasizing the enduring influence of imperialist narratives and the struggle for authentic self-identity. Unlike the earlier sources, his account highlights the subtle, ongoing impacts of imperialist history, such as cultural hegemony and personal dislocation.
Assessment of Impact on Lives
For Sun Yat-sen, colonialism caused national humiliation and thwarted progress, inciting the Chinese people's desire for independence. Mao perceives it as a source of persistent inequality and social unrest, affecting his revolutionary stance towards transforming Chinese society. Murakami sees the impact as more internalized, affecting identity, cultural expression, and perceptions of self-worth among East Asians, especially in Japan.
Proposed Measures and Responses
Sun advocates for political unification, modernization, and resistance to Western domination. Mao calls for anti-imperialist revolution, economic independence, and the overthrow of colonial influence through proletarian struggle. Murakami suggests a cultural introspection and reinterpretation, emphasizing the need for East Asians to confront their historical narratives to foster genuine self-awareness and societal healing.
Conclusion
These three sources demonstrate a spectrum of responses and understandings of colonialism and imperialism across different periods. While early ideas focus on resistance and overthrow, later perspectives acknowledge the subtle, ongoing impacts of imperialist histories on identity and culture. Collectively, they underscore the persistent influence of imperialism in shaping East Asian history and individual experiences, highlighting the importance of nuanced analysis in interdisciplinary historical studies.
References
- Sun Yat-sen. (1919). Outline of the National Revolution.
- Mao Zedong. (1920s). On the Question of Colonialism.
- Murakami, Haruki. (1995). Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche.
- Hevia, J. (1995). English Lessons: The Pedagogy of Imperialism in Japan.
- Lin, K. (2010). Chinese Anti-Imperialism in Historical Perspective.
- Fei, X. (1980). From the Soil: The Foundations of Chinese Society.
- Ramasubramanian, K. (2018). Postcolonial Readings of East Asian History.
- Foucault, M. (1977). Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison.
- Loomba, A. (1998). Colonialism/Postcolonialism.
- Chow, R. (1993). The Protestant Ethnic and the Spirit of Capitalism.