The Wobbling Pivot, China since 1800: An Interpretive History

by Pamela Kyle Crossley (Dartmouth College, USA)

• ISBN13: 9781444319965
• ISBN10: 1444319965
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2010-01-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

This comprehensive but concise narrative of China since the eighteenth century builds its story around the delicate relationship between central government and local communities. Rejects the traditional view of China as a wholly harmonious society based on principles of stability - the Unwobbling Pivot of Ezra Pound's translation of the Chinese classic Zhongyong Provides an original interpretation, arguing that developments can be explained through an understanding of China 's surprising swings between centralization and decentralization, between local initiative and central authoritarianism Serves as an introduction to the subject, while readers with a background in Chinese history will find the book offers a personal perspective and addresses long-standing interpretive issues Supported by a variety of timelines, maps, illustrations, and extensive notes for further reading Places China 's history within the context of global change

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations

List of Maps

Foreword and Acknowledgments

Prelude

Timeline

The Wobbling Pivot

Sources of Order Under the Qing Empire

Sources of Disorder Under the Qing Empire

Essay: Strategic Borders

Qing and the World

Essay: Rebel Heroines

Visionaries

Essay: Hunan Takes the Lead

Essay: Water

Beiyang Ascendancy

Cultural Revolution

Essay: Manchus as Minorities

War

The Ubiquitous Center

Essay: Minerals

Essay: Health Risks

Gravity

Bibliography

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.