Chinese Astronomy

Picture: Chinese Astronomy. Chinese Star Chart possibly dating from the 600s AD, Tang Dynasty

One cannot not link to history, archaeology, historical management, museum management without linking to science and development, that includes the developments of astronomy in Ancient China. One of my lecturers, Cai Da Feng from Fudan University, Shanghai, was interested in Astronomy. He is a busy man, but always find time to play around his hobby.

Chinese astronomers, like Roman and Sassanian astronomers of the same time period in Europe and West Asia, were very interested in the stars both for scientific reasons and because they believed that the skies could help predict the future.

One of these Chinese astronomers drew this star chart, which is the oldest one in the world. Even though telescopes and binoculars hadn't been invented yet, the chart shows some very faint stars that are very hard to see with just your eyes.

But along with this chart, there were also instructions for predicting the future based on the shape of clouds.

For more information on Chinese Astronomy, you can visit the link here: Chinese astronomy

Archaeology digging is never always gold pots and treasures

Archaeology is not always a fruitful event in which you expect to dig up valuable artifacts in which one can deem as treasures in materialistic values. People spent efforts in understanding history of mankind. Sometimes, a dig can continue without hitting into anything with value. Archaeologists, however, continue with their best efforts in finding answers of the past, even how minimal one can get out from the different layers of earth. This video clip from youtube is a good example of it all.

You don't expect all digs to be successful. Sometimes, months can go by and still remain futile. But, Archaeologists do it piece by piece so that we can always have a bigger picture of our history.

Yuan Shi-Kai and Warlord Politics I

After the establishment of the Republic; War of the Warlords

Yuan Shi-Kai lead to voluntary acceptance of the Republic by the Manchurians. He pledged his support to the repubic as the "Best Form of State", leading to the end of the Imperial administraion and monarchial system. Reasons that allowed him to come into power even though he was just a provincial president, was because he carries out the proper steps in ensuring China become Republic. Many view Sun Yet-Sen as an idealist and impractical. Yuan also controlled a vast military power in Northen China.

Power in which a prime minister hold, Yuan as provincial president do not control:
- take charge of political affairs- served as commander-in-chief of army and navy
- authorised to appoint ministers and diplomatic envoys
- entitled to declare war, negotiate peace, sign treaties
- Check were necessary by Senate's approval, curbing Yuan's full control in power

Yuan's Conflicts with the Revolutionaries
- Location of the Capital. Nanking or Beijing
- Sharing Power with the Cabinet(Tang Shaoyi, China's 1st Prime Minister, leading to the resignation of Tang Shaoyi in June 1912
- Torn between Legislations; supportors do not support Yuan, view him as a Tyrant
- Revolution Alliance absorbed four other political groups and reorganised as the National Party(GuoMingDang)
- Sun still supreme leader; de facto leader Song Jiaren
- Assasination of Song Jiaren by Yuan Shi-Kai
- 125 Million Dollars Loan for re-organisation of military power and authority control, borrowed from 5 powers consortium
- Yuan's action lead and resulted to the 2nd Revolution in 1913

Yuan's gradual step to dismantle the constitutional structure
- Forced the Parliament to elect him as President in Oct 1913
- Endorsed the dissolvement of National Party in Jan 1914
- arrested National Party Members in Beijing- Extended presidential term to 10 years, made president renewable by re-election with limit and have personal right to nominate his succesor in Dec 1914
- Engaged foreign advisors on governmental affairs (Frank Goodnow)
- Became the Emperor of China in December 1915

Yuan as Emperor
- Approved majority of 21 damands by Japan for specials rights in China; sign agreement with Russia in relation to Mongolia; Britain in Tibet
- His ambition brought forth the wrath of many to fall upon him
- The National Protection Army led by Cai Er ignited the National Protection Movement against Yuan (Yun Nan)
- Guizhou also cried out for independence soon after
- Military Affairs council formed by various council provinces against him
- Deserted by his Henchmen and overcome with shame and anxiety, Yuan suddenly died on June 6, 1916
- Yuan's Dynasty only lasted for 82 Days

related books:
China: Its History and Culture (4th Edition) (Paperback)
The Rise of Modern China (Paperback)
China's Republic (New Approaches to Asian History) (Hardcover)
China and the Origins of the Pacific War, 1931-41 (Paperback)