Chinese civilization and Fried Green Tomatoes: Difference between pages

Revision as of 07:34, 11 November 2005

Revision as of 13:56, 10 July 2007

Line 1:

{{Infobox Film

:''This article is about the Chinese civilization. For the modern-day state commonly referred to as '''''China''''', see [[People's Republic of China]]. For other meanings, see [[China (disambiguation)]].''

| name = Fried Green Tomatoes

| image = Fried green tomatoes.jpg

| caption = Movie poster

| director = [[Jon Avnet]]

| producer = [[Jon Avnet]]

| writer = [[Fannie Flagg]]<br />[[Carol Sobieski]]

| narrator =

| starring = [[Kathy Bates]]<br />[[Mary Stuart Masterson]]<br />[[Mary-Louise Parker]]<br />[[Jessica Tandy]]

| music = [[Jo Jo Hailey]]<br />[[K-Ci Hailey]]<br />[[Thomas Newman]]

| cinematography = [[Geoffrey Simpson]]

| editing = [[Debra Neil-Fisher]]

| distributor = [[Universal Pictures]]

| released = [[December 27]] [[1991]]

| runtime = 136 min.

| country = {{USA}}

| language = [[English language|English]]

| budget =

| preceded_by =

| followed_by =

| website =

| amg_id = 1:18668

| imdb_id = 0101921

}}

'''''Fried Green Tomatoes''''' is a [[1991]] drama film based on the novel ''[[Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe]]'' by [[Fannie Flagg]]. It was released in the [[UK]] under the novel's full title.

The film was directed by [[Jon Avnet]] and written by [[Fannie Flagg]] and [[Carol Sobieski]]. It stars [[Kathy Bates]], [[Jessica Tandy]], [[Mary-Louise Parker]] and [[Mary Stuart Masterson]]. It received a [[MPAA film rating system|PG-13]] rating from the [[Motion Picture Association of America|MPAA]].

[[Image:Great_wall.jpg|thumb|280px|The [[Great Wall of China]], stretching over 6700 km, was first erected in the [[3rd century B.C.]] to protect the north from [[nomad]]ic invaders and has been rebuilt several times since.]]

'''China''' {{Audio|zh-zhongguo.ogg|listen}} ({{zh-tspw|t=中國|s=中国|p=''Zhōngguó''|w=''Chung-kuo''}}) refers to a number of states and cultures and peoples and ethnicities that have existed and are viewed as having succeeded one another in [[continent]]al [[East Asia]], dating back at least 3,500 years. China as it exists today has been variously described in different points of view as a single [[civilization]] or multiple civilizations, as a single [[state]] or multiple states, and as a single [[nation]] or multiple nations.

==Cast==

{| class="wikitable"

|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"

! Actor !! Role

|-

| [[Kathy Bates]] || Evelyn Couch

|-

| [[Mary Stuart Masterson]] || Idgie Threadgoode

|-

| [[Mary-Louise Parker]] || Ruth Jamison

|-

| [[Jessica Tandy]] || Ninny Threadgoode

|-

| [[Cicely Tyson]] || Sipsey

|-

| [[Chris O'Donnell]] || Buddy Threadgoode

|-

| [[Stan Shaw]] || Big George

|-

| [[Gailard Sartain]] || Ed Couch

|-

| [[Timothy Scott]] || Smokey Lonesome (as Tim Scott)

|-

| [[Gary Basaraba]] || Grady Kilgore

|-

| [[Lois Smith]] || Mama Threadgoode

|-

| [[Jo Harvey Allen]] || Women's Awareness Teacher

|-

| [[Macon McCalman]] || Prosecutor

|-

| [[Richard Riehle]] || Reverend Scroggins

|-

| [[Raynor Scheine]] || Curtis Smoot

|-

| [[Grace Zabriskie]] || Eva Bates

|-

| [[Reid Binion]] || Young Julian

|}

== Plot summary ==

With one of the [[world history|world]]'s longest periods of civilization, interruptted intermittently for only brief periods, and the world's longest continuously used written language system (though its beginnings are incomprehensible to a user today), China's [[History of China|history]] has been largely characterized by repeated divisions and reunifications amid alternating periods of [[peace]] and [[war]], and violent [[imperial]] [[Chinese dynasty|dynastic]] change. The [[country]]'s territorial extent expanded outwards from a core area in the [[North China Plain]], and varied according to its moving fortunes to include multiple regions of [[East Asia|East]], [[Northeast Asia|Northeast]], and [[Central Asia]]. For centuries, [[Chinese Empire|Imperial China]] was also one of the world's most [[technology|technologically]] advanced civilizations, and East Asia's dominant [[culture|cultural]] influence, with an impact lasting to the present day throughout the region.

Evelyn Couch ([[Kathy Bates]]) meets an elderly woman named Ninny Threadgoode ([[Jessica Tandy]]) in a nursing home waiting room. Ninny tells her the story of the now-abandoned town of Whistle Stop, [[Alabama]], and the people that lived there - specifically the tale of the relationship between Idgie Threadgoode and Ruth Jamison, the two women that ran the Whistle Stop Cafe. As the story of Idgie and Ruth (and a missing person) develops, Evelyn Couch finds herself being empowered by the stories of the strong-willed Idgie and the fiercely loyal and independent Ruth. She also finds a true best friend in Ninny.

By the [[19th century|nineteenth]] and early [[20th century|twentieth centuries]], however, China's political, economic, and military influence declined relative to growing regional power [[Japan]] and the influence of [[Western world|Western]] [[imperialism|powers]]. Semi-colonialism developed by the late nineteenth century in parts of China, and the country was invaded by the [[Empire of Japan]] during [[World War II]]. The [[Chinese Empire|imperial system]] in China ended with the establishment of the [[Republic of China]] (ROC) under [[Sun Yat-sen]] in [[1912]]; however, the next four decades of ROC rule were marred by [[warlordism|warlord control]], the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]] (WWII), and the [[Chinese Civil War]] which pitted Chinese [[KMT|Nationalists]] against the [[Communist Party of China|Communist forces]].

'''Expanded information'''

After its victory in the [[Chinese Civil War]], the [[Communist Party of China]] under [[Mao Zedong]] established the [[People's Republic of China]] (PRC) in [[1949]], forcing the [[Republic of China]] (ROC) to retreat to the island of [[Taiwan]], which it had governed since the end of [[World War II]]. Since then, the ROC has maintained administrative control over Taiwan, the [[Pescadores]], several islands off the coast of [[Fujian]] [[province of China|province]], and some islands in the [[South China Sea]].

The action takes place in Alabama. The heroine, Evelyn Couch, is a housewife. Evelyn is unhappy with her life and her marriage and her husband Ed appears to not be interested in her any more. Their son Cal is grown and is "busy with his own life." She has a lot of problems including thinking very lowy of herself. She and Ed are visiting his aunt in a nursing home and there in a waiting room she meets an old but very nice woman - Ninny Threadgoode.

==Terminology==

{{main|Name of China in various languages}}

Ninny tells her stories about the life of two women she used to know. The heroines of her story are Idgie Threadgoode and Ruth Jamison. Together they ran the Whistle Stop Cafe in Ninny's small Alabama home town. The film is named “Fried Green Tomatoes” because it is a feature dish at the cafe. From Ninny’s recollections Evelyn knows that Ruth loved Idgie’s brother who was killed in a railway accident. Then follows the story of the relationship between Ruth and Idgie.

==="Zhongguo"===

[[Image:Belvedere of the God of Literature, Summer Palace.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The [[Summer Palace]], or ''Yihe Yuan'', Beijing, China.]]

China is called ''Zhongguo'' in Mandarin Chinese (also romanized as ''Jhongguo'' or ''Chung-kuo''), which is usually translated as "Middle Kingdom", but could also be translated as, "Central State" or "Central Country". It literally means "middle (or center) land," referring to the supposed position of China at the centre of that society's "known world", surrounded by lesser tributary states.

Ruth and Idgie’s story is about their life after Buddy's death. Idgie helps Ruth to become free from her abusive husband. These two strong women work together to raise Ruth's son. He loses an arm in a railway accident. It is a very touching story of friendship and love, as well as courage and self-sacrifice.

The term has not been used consistently throughout Chinese history, however, and carries certain cultural and political connotations both positive and negative, some [[Han chauvinism |ideological]], and early states considered part of Chinese history are not called "Zhongguo". During the [[Spring and Autumn Period]], it was used only to describe the states politically descended from the [[Western Zhou Dynasty]], in the [[Yellow River]] (Huang He) valley, to the exclusion of states such as [[Chu (state)|Chu]] and [[Qin (state)|Qin]]. The "Chinese" thus defined their nation as culturally and politically distinct from - and as the [[axis mundi]] of surrounding nations; a concept that continued well into the [[Qing Dynasty]], although being continually redefined while the central political influence expanded territorially, and its culture assimilated alien influences.

The recollections of Ninny greatly influences Evelyn. First she is inspired by the strength and strong-will of these two independent women, and Evelyn’s life changes for the better. Second, she finds a true best friend in Ninny. Evelyn invites Ninny to live with her after Ninny's house in Whistle Stop is destroyed.

Thus "Zhongguo" quickly came to include areas farther south, including the [[Yangtze River]] and [[Pearl River (China)|Pearl River]] systems, and by the [[Tang Dynasty]] it even included "[[barbarian]]" regimes such as the [[Xianbei]] and [[Xiongnu]]. As the PRC now governs [[Inner Mongolia]], [[Xinjiang]], and [[Tibet]], and the ROC now governs [[Taiwan]] (also claimed by the PRC), these regions are also often included as a part of "Zhongguo", though acceptance or denial of such claims remains politically controversial, especially where Zhongguo means PRC.

The ending leads you to believe that Ninny is in fact Idgie herself, but her statements during the film do not support this.

During the [[Han Dynasty]] and before, ''Zhongguo'' had three distinctive meanings:

# The area around the capital or imperial ___domain. The ''[[Book of Poetry]]'' explicitly gives this definition.

# Territories under the direct authority of central authorities. The ''[[Historical Records]]'' states: "Eight mountains are famed in the empire. Three are with the Man and Yi barbarians. Five are in ''Zhongguo''."

# The area now called the [[North China Plain]]. The ''[[Sanguo Zhi]]'' records the following monologue: "If we can lead the host of [[Wu]] and [[Yue]] (the area of southern [[Jiangsu]] and northern [[Zhejiang]]) to oppose ''Zhongguo'', then we should break off relations with them soon." In this sense, the term is synonymous with ''Hua'' (華) and ''Xia'' (夏).

==Differences between the film and novel==

During the period of division after the fall of the Han Dynasty, the term ''Zhongguo'' was subjected to transformation as a result of the surge of nomadic peoples from the northern frontier. This was doubly so after the loss of the Yellow River valley, the cradle of Chinese civilization, to these peoples. For example, the Xianbei called their [[Northern Wei Dynasty|Northern Wei]] regime ''Zhongguo'', contrasting it with the [[Southern Dynasties]], which they called the ''Yi'' (夷), meaning "barbarian". The southern dynasties, for their part, recently exiled from the north, called the Northern Wei ''Lu'' (虏), meaning "criminal" or "prisoner". In this way ''Zhongguo'' came to represent political legitimacy. It was used in this manner from the tenth century onwards by the competing dynasties of [[Liao Dynasty|Liao]], [[Jin Dynasty|Jin]] and [[Song Dynasty|Song]]. The term ''Zhongguo'' came to be related to geographic, cultural and political identity and less to ethnic origin.

The film version does not present the lesbian romance between the two central characters, making it appear, to viewers who had not read the book, that Idgie and Ruth were merely best friends. The [[DVD]] edition of the film has an audio commentary with the director acknowledging this and pointing out that a scene between the two women engaging in a food fight was intended to be seen as symbolic love-making.

The character [[Artis O. Peavey]], who was a favorite of many in the novel, did not merit an appearance. Additionally, in the novel every important character has his or her own backstory, but many of these were eliminated in the film version.

The Republic of China as it controlled mainland China, and later, the People's Republic of China, have used ''Zhongguo'' to mean all the territories and peoples within their political control (people in the Republic of China now usually use Zhongguo to refer to the PRC and use Taiwan to refer to itself). Thus it is asserted that all 56 officially recognized ethnic groups are ''Zhongguo ren'' (中國人), or ''Zhongguo'' people. Their disparate histories are collectively the history of ''Zhongguo''.

In the novel, Evelyn tries, unsuccessfully, to lose weight on her own several times and, eventually, resorts to going to a weight loss spa. In the film, Evelyn is able to control her dietary habits and maintain a regular exercise regimen on her own.

==="China"===

[[Image:XiAn CityWall DiLou.jpg|thumb|280px|[[Xi'an]], known as [[Chang'an]] in ancient times, was the imperial capital of thirteen different historical dynasties (including the [[Han Dynasty|Han]] and [[Tang Dynasty|Tang]] dynasties) in China.]]

[[English language|English]] and many other languages use forms of the name ''China'' (and the [[prefix]] ''Sino-''), which is believed to have derived from the name of the ''[[Qin Dynasty|Qin]]'' dynasty that first unified the countr, even though it is not completely resolved and the origins are still to an extent, one might say controversial. [http://www.bartleby.com/61/80/C0298000.html] Despite the fact that the Qin dynasty was short-lived and was often regarded as overly tyrannical it unified the written language in China and gave the supreme ruler of China the title of "Emperor", hence, the subsequent Silk Road traders would identify themselves by that name. There are also other minor alternative theories on the origin of the word.

In the novel, Ninny passes away while Evelyn is visiting a weight loss spa. However, in the film, Ninny leaves the nursing home and ends up going to live with Evelyn and Ed in their home.

In any circumstance, the word ''China'' passed through many languages along the [[Silk Road]] before it finally reached Europe and England. The Western "China", transliterated to [[Shina (word)|Shina]] (支那) has also been used by [[Japan]]ese since the nineteenth century, and has since evolved into a derogatory term in that language.

The novel's version of Evelyn is somewhat darker than her film portrayal. In the novel, Evelyn is extremely depressed over her weight and how her life has turned to the point of considering suicide. While her unhappiness with her marriage and weight are stated in the film, the degree of seriousness is much lighter than in the novel.

The term "China" can narrowly mean [[China proper]], or, often, China proper and [[Manchuria]], [[Inner Mongolia]], [[Tibet]], and [[Xinjiang]], a combination essentially coterminous with the 20th and 21st century political entity ''China''; the boundaries between these regions do not necessarily follow [[political divisions of China|provincial boundaries]]. In many contexts, "China" is commonly used to refer to the People's Republic of China or mainland China, while "Taiwan" is used to refer to the Republic of China. Informally, in [[economic]] or [[business]] contexts, "the [[Greater China]] region" (大中華地區) refers to [[Mainland China]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Macau]], and [[Taiwan]].

The passage of time in the novel and the film is portrayed differently. In the novel, the events of the story are stretched and explored just after the ending of [[World War I]] up to the late 1980's. In the film, most of the story takes place between 1919 and the late 1930's.

[[Sinologists]] usually use "Chinese" in a more restricted sense, more akin to the classical usage of ''Zhongguo'', or to the meaning of the "[[Han Chinese|Han]] ethnic group", who make up the bulk of Mainland China.

In the novel, Idgie and Big George are placed on trial for the murder of Frank Bennett years after Ruth has passed away. In the film, the trial takes place less than a year before Ruth's death in which she testifies on Idgie's behalf.

In many contexts it may be more appropriate to speak of "[[mainland China]]" (中國大陸,''zhōngguó dàlù'' in Mandarin), especially when contrasting it with other, politically different regions like [[Hong Kong]], [[Macau]], and territories administered by the [[Republic of China|Republic of China (Taiwan)]].

==HistoryBox office==

The film grossed a total of $82,418,501 in the United States alone, and took in $37,000,000 outside the U.S., bringing the total to $119,418,501 worldwide [http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=friedgreentomatoes.htm].

:''Main articles: [[History of China]], [[History of the Republic of China]] (1912&ndash;1949; 1949&ndash;Present on Taiwan), [[History of People's Republic of China]] (1949&ndash;Present)''

==Awards==

[[Image:Qinshihuang.jpg|frame|The first emperor of China, [[Qin Shi Huang]].]]

[[Image:Dvd fried green tomatoes.jpg|thumb|130px|right|DVD cover]]

China was one of the earliest centers of human [[civilization]]. The Chinese [[language]] was also one of the few languages to invent writing independently, the other languages being those of ancient Mesopotamia ([[Sumer]]ians), [[India]] ([[Indus Valley Civilization]]), the [[Mayans]], and some would say [[Egypt]], though it may have been learned from the Sumerians.

The movie was nominated for [[Academy Awards]] for [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Actress in a Supporting Role]] (Jessica Tandy) and for [[Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay|Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium]] (Fannie Flagg and Carol Sobieski).

==The Café==

The "Whistle Stop Café" is loosely based on a real-life restaurant, the Irondale Café in [[Irondale, Alabama]]. The restaurant is still very much in operation, and is something of a local tourist attraction, thanks to the novel and movie. It is famous for its [[Fried green tomatoes (food)|fried green tomatoes]], and is located adjacent to the main line of the [[Norfolk Southern Railroad]] (formerly [[Southern Railway (US)|Southern Railway]]) and very near one of the line's large [[classification yard]]s.

Irondale is a suburb of [[Birmingham, Alabama]], Flagg's birthplace. After the film became a hit, the set used as the Whistle Stop Café, on ___location in [[Juliette, Georgia]], was converted into a real restaurant, and is still a tourist attraction.

The first [[dynasty]] according to Chinese historical sources was the [[Xia dynasty]]; however there is no archaeological evidence definitively attesting a Xia dynasty (although some neolithic sites have been suggested to be such). The first confirmed dynasty is the [[Shang]], who settled along the [[Huang He]] river, dating from the 18th to the 12th centuries BC. The Shang were in turn invaded by the [[Zhou dynasty|Zhou]] (12th to 5th centuries BC), whose centralized authority was slowly eroded by the ceding of state-like authority to warlords ruling small states; eventually, in the [[Spring and Autumn period]], many strong independent states, in continuous war, paid but nominal deference to the [[Zhou state]] as the Imperial centre. They were all unified under one [[Emperor of China|emperor]] in [[221 BC]] by [[Qin Shi Huang]], ushering in the [[Qin Dynasty]], the first unified centralized Chinese state.

A second Whistle Stop Café ___location can now be found on Houston Rd in [[Macon, Georgia]].

After the fall of authoritarian Qin Dynasty in 207 BC came the [[Han Dynasty|Han Dynasty]] which lasted until 220 AD. A period of disunion followed again. In 580, China was reunited under the Sui. Under the succeeding [[Tang]] and [[Song]] dynasties, China reached its golden age. For a long period of time, especially between the 7th and 14th centuries, China was one of the most advanced [[civilization]]s in the world in technology, literature, and art. The Song Dynasty fell to the invading [[Mongols]] in 1279. The Mongols, under [[Kublai Khan]], established the [[Yuan Dynasty]]. A peasant named [[Zhu Yuanzhang]] overthrew the Mongols in 1368 and founded the [[Ming Dynasty]], which lasted until 1644. After the Ming dynasty, came the [[Qing]] (Manchu) dynasty, which lasted until the overthrow of [[Puyi]] in 1911.

A third Whistle Stop Cafe can can be found in downtown Kennesaw in Georgia.

==External link==

Oftentimes regime change was violent and strongly opposed and the ruler class needed to take special measures to ensure their rule and the loyalty of the overthrown dynasty. For example, after the foreign [[Qing]] ([[Manchus]]) conquered China, because they were ever suspicious of the [[Han Chinese]], the Qing rulers put into effect measures aimed at preventing the absorption of the Manchus into the dominant Han Chinese population. However, these restrictions proved ineffective against the assimilation of Manchus into the Chinese identity and culture.

*{{imdb title|id=0101921|title=Fried Green Tomatoes}}

*[http://fgobsession.ravenwolfprods.com Fried Green Obsession]

[[Category:1991 films|Fried Green Tomatoes]]

In the 18th century, China achieved a decisive technological advantage over the peoples of [[Central Asia]], which it had been at war with for several centuries, while simultaneously falling behind Europe in that respect. This set the stage for the 19th century, in which China adopted a defensive posture against European [[imperialism]] while itself engaging in imperialistic expansion into Central Asia. See [[Imperialism in Asia]].

[[Category:American films|Fried Green Tomatoes]]

[[Category:Comedy-drama films|Fried Green Tomatoes]]

[[Category:English-language films|Fried Green Tomatoes]]

[[Category:Feminist films|Fried Green Tomatoes]]

[[Category:Films based on fiction books|Fried Green Tomatoes]]

[[Category:LGBT-related films|Fried Green Tomatoes]]

[[Category:Period films|Fried Green Tomatoes]]

[[de:Grüne Tomaten]]

However the primary cause of the decline of the Chinese empire was not European and American interference, as the [[ethnocentrism |ethnocentric]] Western historians would lead many to believe. On the contrary it was a series of internal upheavals. Most prominent of these was the [[Taiping Rebellion|Taiping Civil War]] which lasted from [[1851]] to [[1862]]. The civil war was started by an extremist believer in a school of thought partly influenced by Christianity who believed himself to be the son of [[God]] and the younger brother of [[Jesus]]. Although the imperial forces were eventually victorious, the civil war was one of the bloodiest in human history - costing at least twenty million lives (more than the total number of fatalities in the [[First World War]]). Prior to this conflict a number of Islamic Rebellions, especially in Central Asia, had occurred. Later, a second major rebellion took place, although this latter uprising was considerably smaller than the cataclysmic Taiping Civil War. This second conflict was the [[Boxer Rebellion]] which aimed to repel Westerners. Although secretly supporting the rebels, the Empress, [[Ci Xi]], aided foreign forces in suppressing the uprising. <!--Does this sentence make sense?-->

[[sv:Stekta gröna tomater på Whistle Stop Café]]

[[ru:Жареные зелёные помидоры (фильм)]]

[[Image:China2C Mao .jpg|thumb|left|270px|Chinese Chairman [[Mao Zedong]] announcing the founding of the People's Republic of China on [[October 1]], [[1949]].]]

[[it:Pomodori verdi fritti]]

In [[1912]], after a prolonged period of decline, the institution of the [[Emperor of China]] disappeared and the [[Republic of China]] was established. The following three decades were a period of disunion &mdash; the Warlord Era, the [[Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945)|Sino-Japanese War]], and the [[Chinese Civil War]]. The latter ended in 1949 with the [[Communist Party of China]] in control of [[mainland China]]. The CPC established a [[communist state]]&mdash;the People's Republic of China&mdash;that laid claim to be the [[successor state]] of the Republic of China. Meanwhile, the disorganized and potentially corrupt ROC government of the [[Kuomintang]] fled to Taiwan, where it continued to be recognized as the legitimate government of all China by the [[Western bloc]] and the [[China and the United Nations|United Nations]] until the [[1970s]], when most nations and the UN switched recognition to the PRC.

The [[United Kingdom]] and [[Portugal]] transferred their colonies of [[Hong Kong]] and [[Macau]] on the southern Chinese coast to the PRC in [[1997]] and [[1999]], respectively. ''China'' used in a modern context often refers to just the territory of the PRC, or to "[[Mainland China]]" (the territory of the PRC excluding Hong Kong and Macau).

The PRC does not [[diplomatic recognition|recognize]] the ROC, as it claims to have succeeded the ROC as the legitimate governing authority of all of China including Taiwan. On the other hand, the ROC—while never formally renouncing its earlier claims or changing official maps that show its territory as including both the modern-day PRC, Mongolia and Tibet—has moved away from this former identity representing its rule over all of China, and increasingly identifies itself as ''[[Taiwan]]''. The PRC has historically resisted the ROC's identification of itself as Taiwan, especially in light of the movement supported by residents of Taiwan and others who advocate Taiwan's identity as an [[Taiwan independence|independent political entity]]. Significant disputes persist as to the nature and extent of ''China'', possible [[Chinese reunification]] and the [[Political status of Taiwan|political status of Taiwan]].

See also:

*[[Timeline of Chinese history]]

*[[Dynasties in Chinese history]]

*[[History of Hong Kong]]

*[[History of Macau]]

*[[History of Taiwan]]

==Political history==

{{main4|Politics of Imperial China|Politics of the People's Republic of China|Politics of Taiwan|Political status of Taiwan}}

Before unification by the [[Qin Dynasty]] in [[221 BC]], "China" did not exist as a coherent entity. The Chinese civilization consisted of a patchwork of several states, each ruled by a [[monarch|king]] (王), [[duke]] (公), [[marquess]] (侯), or [[earl]] (伯). Although there was a central king who held nominal power, and powerful [[hegemon]]s sometimes held considerable influence, each [[state]] was ruled as an independent political entity. This is also the time of the beginnings of Confucian philosophy and that of many other philosophies that greatly influenced Chinese philosophy-political thought.

This ended with the Qin Dynasty unification, during which the office of the [[emperor]] was set up, and a system of [[bureaucratic]] administration established. After the Qin, China experienced about 13 more dynasties, many of which continued the extensive system of [[kingdom]]s, [[dukedom]]s, [[earldom]]s, and [[marquisate]]s. The territory varied with several expansions and contractions depending on the strength of each emperor and dynasty. However the [[Emperor of China|emperor]] had ultimate, supreme, and unquestionable authority as the political and religious leader of China. The emperor also consulted civil and martial ministers, especially the [[prime minister]]. Political power sometimes fell into the hands of powerful officials, [[eunuch]]s, or imperial [[relative]]s, often at the expense of a child heriditary emperor. This happened especially since the emperor often was many layers of power removed from the outside world, making him susceptible to manipulation.

Political relations with dependencies ([[tributary (political)|tributary]] kingdoms) were maintained by international marriages, military aids, treaties, and gifts. (see section "Geography, Political" below for examples),

[[Luoyang]], [[Chang'an]] (today's [[Xi'an]]), [[Nanjing]], and [[Beijing]] are the four cities most commonly designated as [[capitals of China]] over the course of history. [[Chinese language|Chinese]] was the official language, though periods of Mongol and Manchu conquest saw the arrival of [[Mongolian language|Mongol]] and [[Manchu language|Manchu]] as alternate [[official language]]s.

On [[January 1]], [[1912]], the Republic of China (ROC) was established, signaling the end of the Manchu-dominated Qing Empire. [[Sun Yat-sen]] of the [[Kuomintang]] (KMT or Nationalist Party), was proclaimed provisional president of the republic. However, [[Yuan Shikai]], a former Qing general who had defected to the revolutionary cause, soon forced Sun to step aside and took the presidency for himself (formally it was a negotiation where Sun agreed to step aside for what was then perceived as a strong reformer, Yuan). Before long, Yuan attempted to have himself proclaimed emperor of a new dynasty; however, he died soon of natural causes before fully taking power over all of the Chinese empire.

After Yuan's downfall, China was politically fragmented, with an internationally-recognized, but virtually powerless, national government seated in Beijing (thus failing to fit the definition of a [[state]]). Warlords in various regions exercised actual control over their respective territories.

[[Image:National People's Congress.JPG|thumb|250px|The Great Hall of the People, where the National People's Congress (NPC) of China convenes.]]

In the late [[1920s]], the Kuomintang, under [[Chiang Kai-shek]], was able to reunify the country under its own control, moving the nation's capital to Nanjing and implementing "[[political tutelage]]", an intermediate stage of political development outlined in Sun Yat-sen's program for transforming China into a modern, democratic state. Effectively, political tutelage meant one-party rule by the Kuomintang with heavy Leninist influences. Ironically, both the Kuomintang and the CCP have heavy [[Leninist]] influences. In 1947, constitutional rule was established, but because of the ongoing [[Chinese Civil War]] between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party of China (CPC), many provisions of the 1947 ROC constitution were never put into actual practice on the mainland.

By early 1950, the CPC had defeated the Kuomintang on the mainland, and the ROC government retreated to the island of Taiwan. Beginning in the late [[1970s]], [[Taiwan]] began the implementation of full, multi-party, [[representative democracy]] in the territories still under ROC control (i.e., [[Taiwan Province]], [[Taipei]], [[Kaohsiung]] and some offshore islands of [[Fujian]] province). Today, the political scene in the ROC is vibrant, with active participation by all sectors of society. But rather than the usual [[conservative]]-[[liberal]] policy distinctions that are the hallmarks of most democracies around the world, the main cleavage in ROC politics is the unification with China in the long-run vs. formal independence issue. However, Greens are generally more liberal (i.e. more [[environmentalism|environmentally friendly]]) and Blues are generally regarded as more conservative.

[[Image:PRC coa.png|thumb|left|220px|The coat of arms of the People's Republic of China.]]

Meanwhile, [[Mao Zedong]], the leader of the communists, proclaimed the [[People's Republic of China]] (PRC) on [[October 1]], [[1949]] in Beijing, saying China has standed up. From the beginning, the PRC has been a [[dictatorial]] [[one-party state]] under the Communist Party. However, post-1978 reforms have led to the relaxation, in varying degrees, of party control over many areas of society. Nonetheless, the Communist Party still has absolute control over political aspects of society, and it continuously seeks to eradicate threats to its rule. Examples of this include the jailing of political opponents and journalists, general control of the press, regulation of religions and other non-party organizations, [[censorship]] of the press, literature and film, and suppression of independence/secessionist movements. In [[1989]], a popular demonstration held in Beijing at [[Tiananmen Square]] was violently put to an end by the Chinese government. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square_protests_of_1989]] The attempted eradication of the [[Falun Gong]] movement is also held by its supporters to be motivated by fear of Falun Gong's growing influence. Today, however, there is much more freedom in intellectual thought in non-political areas and [[propaganda]], while still continuing, has lessened.

See also:

*[[Chinese nationalism]]

*[[Propaganda in the People's Republic of China]]

*[[Imperialism in Asia]]

*[[Chinese sovereign]]

*[[Chinese law]]

==Territory==

{{main2|Political divisions of China|History of the political divisions of China}}

===Historical overview===

[[Image:China administrative.png|thumb|375px|Map of the People's Republic of China (PRC).]]

The [[Zhou Dynasty]], which preceded the unification of China by [[Shi Huangdi]], was originally the region around the [[Yellow River]]. Since then, the territory has expanded outward in all directions, and was largest during the [[Tang Dynasty|Tang]], [[Yuan Dynasty|Yuan]], and [[Qing Dynasty|Qing]] dynasties. The Qing Dynasty included parts of modern [[Russian Far East]] and [[Central Asia]] (west of [[Xinjiang]]).

Along with provincial administrators, some foreign [[monarch]]s sent [[envoy]]s to offer gifts to the Emperor of China and the Emperor returned [[compliments]] to them. The Chinese thought that the barbarians attached themselves to the [[virtue]] of the Emperor, while the foreign governments sometimes disagreed. Since the end of the 19th century, China has tried to reinterpret this relationship as [[suzerainty]] or [[suzerainty]]-[[dependency]], but this no longer has any real conception in modern international political theories.

The [[Qing Empire]] reduced the territorial value of the [[Great Wall of China]] as a barrier of [[China proper]] after they merged their homeland ([[Manchuria]]) north of the wall with [[China proper]] south of it. In 1683 after the surrender of the [[Kingdom of Tungning]] established by [[Koxinga]], [[Taiwan]] including the [[Pescadores]] became a part of the Qing Empire, originally as one [[prefecture]], then two, and later a province. Taiwan was subsequently ceded to [[Japan]] after the [[first Sino-Japanese War]] in [[1895]]. At the end of the [[second Sino-Japanese War]] in 1945, Japan relinquished the [[sovereignty]] of the island in the [[San Francisco Peace Treaty]], and the [[Republic of China]] took over. Since then, the de jure [[Political status of Taiwan|sovereignty of Taiwan]] has been under dispute between the PRC, and the now democratic ROC and [[Taiwan independence|Taiwan independence supporters]].

See: [[Taiwan]], [[Republic of China]], [[Tibet]]

===Historical political divisions===

Top-level political divisions of China have altered as the administration changed. Top levels included [[circuit (political division)|circuit]]s and [[province of China|province]]s. Below that, there have been [[prefecture of China|prefecture]]s, [[subprefecture]]s, [[department]]s, [[commanderies]], [[district of China|district]]s, and [[county of China|counties]]. Recent divisions also include [[prefecture-level cities]], [[county-level cities]], [[town of China|town]]s and [[township of China|township]]s (see below for examples).

Historically, most Chinese dynasties were based in the historical heartlands of China, known by the politically-correct term of [[China proper]]. Various dynasties also exhibited [[expansionism]] by engaging in incursions into more peripheral territories like [[Inner Mongolia]], [[Manchuria]], [[Xinjiang]], and [[Tibet]]. The [[Manchu]]-established [[Qing Dynasty]] and its successors, the [[Republic of China]] and the [[People's Republic of China]] cemented the incorporation of these territories into China. These territories are separated by borders that are vague at best, and do not correspond well to contemporary political divisions. China proper is generally thought to be bounded by the [[Great Wall]] and the edge of the [[Tibetan plateau]]; [[Manchuria]] and [[Inner Mongolia]] are found to the north of the [[Great Wall of China]], and the boundary between them can either be taken as the present border between [[Inner Mongolia]] and the [[Northeast China|northeast Chinese]] provinces, or the more historic border of the [[World War II]]-era [[puppet state]] of [[Manchukuo]]; [[Xinjiang]]'s borders correspond to today's administrative [[Xinjiang]]; and historic [[Tibet]] is conceived as occupying all of the [[Tibetan Plateau]]. China is also traditionally thought of as comprising [[North China]] (北方) and [[South China]] (南方), the geographic boundary between which north and south is largely generalized as [[Huai River]] (淮河) and [[Qinling Mountains]] (秦岭).

===Geography and climate===

{{main|Geography of China}}

<div class="thumb tleft">

<div>

[[Image:Map of China (physical).png|400px|China within [[East Asia]].]]

<div class="thumbcaption">

China within [[East Asia]]. ([http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/reference_maps/pdf/asia.pdf PDF])

</div>

</div>

</div>

China is composed of a vast variety of highly different [[landscapes]], with mostly [[plateaus]] and [[mountains]] in the west, and lower lands on the east. As a result, principal [[river]]s flow from west to east, including the [[Yangtze River|Yangtze]] (central), the [[Huang He]] (central-east), and the [[Amur]] (northeast), and sometimes toward the south (including the [[Pearl River (China)|Pearl River]], [[Mekong River]], and [[Brahmaputra]]), with most Chinese rivers emptying into the [[Pacific]].

Most of China's arable lands lie along the two major rivers, the Yangtze and the Huang He, and each are the centers around which are founded China's major ancient civilizations.

In the east, along the shores of the [[Yellow Sea]] and the [[East China Sea]] are found extensive and densely populated [[alluvial]] plains; the shore of the [[South China Sea]] is more mountainous and southern China is dominated by [[hill country]] and lower [[mountain range]]s.

To the west, the north has a great [[alluvial]] plain, and the south has a vast [[calcareous]] [[tableland]] traversed by [[hill]] ranges of moderate elevation, with the [[Himalaya]]s, containing the highest point [[Mount Everest]]. The northwest also has high plateaus among more arid [[desert]] landscapes such as the [[Takla-Makan]] and the [[Gobi Desert]], which has been expanding. Due to a prolonged [[drought]] and perhaps poor agricultural practices, [[dust storm|dust storms]] have become usual in the spring in China. Dust blows all the way to southern China, Taiwan, and has even been measured on the West Coast of the [[United States]].

[[image:Giant Panda.jpg|thumb|290px|The [[Giant Panda]] is an [[endangered species]] native to the [[bamboo]] forests of central and southern China.]]

During many dynasties, the southwestern border of China has been the high [[mountain]]s and deep valleys of [[Yunnan]], which separate modern China from [[Burma]], [[Laos]] and [[Vietnam]].

The [[climate]] of China varies greatly. The northern zone (within which lies [[Beijing]]) has a climate with winters of [[Arctic]] severity. The central zone (within which [[Shanghai]] is situated) has a generally [[temperate]] climate. The southern zone (within which lies [[Guangzhou]] and other southern provinces) has a generally [[subtropical]] climate.

The [[Palaeozoic]] formations of China, excepting only the upper part of the [[Carboniferous]] system, are [[sea|marine]], while the [[Mesozoic]] and [[Tertiary]] deposits are [[estuarine]] and [[freshwater]] or else of [[terrestrial]] origin. Groups of [[volcanic]] cones occur in the Great Plain of north China. In the [[Liaodong]] and [[Shandong]] Peninsulas, there are basaltic plateaux.

==Demographics==

{{main2|Ethnic groups in Chinese history|Nationalities of China}}

[[Image:Crowded Nanjing Road in Shanghai.jpeg|thumb|200px|left|A crowded [[Nanjing Road]] in [[Shanghai]].]]

Over a hundred [[ethnicity|ethnic groups]] have existed in China. In terms of numbers, however, the pre-eminent ethnic group in China is the [[Han Chinese|Han]], which is a group so diverse in its culture and language that some conceive of it as a larger overarching group bringing together many smaller, distinct ethnic groups sharing common traits in language and culture. Throughout history, many ethnic groups have been assimilated into neighbouring ethnicities or disappeared without a trace. Several previously distinct ethnic groups have been [[Sinicize]]d into the [[Han Chinese|Han]], causing its population to increase dramatically; at the same time, many within the Han identity have maintained distinct linguistic and cultural traditions, though still identifying as Han. Many times in the past millenia many foreign groups have, in turn, shaped Han language and culture, for example the queue is a pig tail hairstyle strictly enforced by the Manchurians on the Han populace. The term [[Zhonghua Minzu]] is sometimes used to describe a notion of a "Chinese nationality" transcending ethnic divisions.

The government of the [[People's Republic of China]] now officially recognizes a total of [[list of Chinese ethnic groups|56 ethnic groups]], of which the largest is the [[Han Chinese]]. China's overall population is 1.3 billion. With the global human population currently estimated at about 6.4 billion, China is home to approximately 20%, or one-fifth of the human [[species]], [[homo sapiens]].

The lack of birth control and promotion of population growth during the rule of [[Mao Zedong]] resulted in a demographic explosion, culminating in over 1.3 billion people today. As a response to the problems this is causing, the government of the PRC has enacted a [[birth control]] policy, commonly known as the [[One-child policy]].

The Han speak several mutually unintelligible tongues, classified by modern linguists as being separate languages, but regarded within the Chinese languages as "dialects" or "local languages" (topolects) within a single [[Chinese language]] (the word for "area languages" has an implication of dialect rather than a separate language, although although on the basis of use, these topolects can be found to be separate and mutually unintelligible, and are so classified by many linguists). The various spoken varieties of Chinese share a common written standard, "[[Vernacular Chinese]]" or "''baihua''", which has been used since the early 20th Century and is based on [[Standard Mandarin]], the standard spoken language, in grammar and vocabulary. In addition, another, more ancient written standard, [[Classical Chinese]], was used for writing Chinese by the literati for thousands of years before the 20th Century. [[Classical Chinese]] is no longer the predominant form of written Chinese, though it continues to be a part of high school curricula and is hence intelligible to some degree to many Chinese people. Other than Standard Mandarin, spoken variants are usually not written; the exception is [[Standard Cantonese]], which is sometimes written as [[Written Cantonese]] in informal contexts.

==Culture==

{{main|Culture of China}}

===Religion===

[[Image:Confuciustempleapricotplatform.jpg|thumb|200px|Apricot Platform in the central courtyard of the Confucius Temple in [[Qufu]], [[Shandong Province]].]]

{{main|Religion in China}}

The major religions of China are:

*[[Taoism]] - exact numbers unknown

*[[Buddhism in China|Buddhism]] - exact numbers unknown [about 8%]

*[[Christianity in China|Christianity]] - 2 to 4% (this is a Western number, the Chinese official number is much smaller than 1%)

*[[Islam in China|Islam]] - 1% to 2%

While the People's Republic of China is officially [[atheist]] it does allow religion under strict supervision. Historically, Taoism and Buddhism has been the dominant religion of Chinese societies, and continues to be so in Chinese societies outside of direct PRC control.

In recent years, [[Falun Gong]], a spiritual practice drawing upon [[Buddhism]] and [[Taoism]], has attracted great controversy after the government of the People's Republic of China labeled it an evil [[cult]] and began an attempt to eradicate it. The Falun Gong itself denies that it is a cult or a religion. The [[Falun Gong]] says that it has approximately 70-100 million followers, which is a bit higher than estimates by outside groups, though exact numbers are unknown. They regularly protest against their suppression, both domestically and internationally.

See also:

*[[Confucianism]]

*[[Catholicism in China]]

*[[Protestantism in China]]

*[[Chinese folk religion]]

*[[Way of former Heaven Sects]]

===Arts, scholarship, and literature===

[[Image:Porcelain Workshop, Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, China.jpg|thumb|225px|A porcelain workshop in [[Jingdezhen]] city, [[Jiangxi Province]].]]

[[Chinese literature]] has a long and prolific continuous history, in part because of the development of [[printmaking]] during the [[Song Dynasty]]. Before that, manuscripts of the Classics and religious texts (mainly [[Confucian]], [[Taoist]], and [[Buddhist]]) were manually written by [[ink brush]] (previously scratching shells) and distributed. Academies of scholars sponsored by the empire were formed to comment on these works in both printed and written form. Members of royalty frequently participated in these discussions. Tens of thousands of ancient written documents are still extant and more, from [[oracle bones]] to Qing edicts, are discovered each day, which had been formally ground up for use in Chinese medicine.

[[Image:Pekingoper2.jpg|thumb|145px|left|A [[Peking opera]] mask.]]

For centuries, opportunity for economic and social advancement in China could be provided by high performance on the [[imperial examination]]s. This led to a [[meritocracy]], though in practice this was possible only among those who were not female or too poor to afford test preparation, as doing well still required tutorship. Nevertheless it was a system distinct from the European system of blood nobility. Imperial examinations required applicants to write essays and demonstrate mastery of the Confucian classics. Those who passed the highest level of the exam became elite scholar-officials known as ''jinshi,'' a highly esteemed socio-economic position.

Chinese philosophers, writers, and poets have been, for the most part, highly respected, and played a key role in preserving and promoting the culture of the empire. Some classical scholars, however, were noted for their daring depictions of lives of the common people, often to the displeasure of authorities. (See [[List of Chinese authors]], and [[List of Chinese language poets]]).

The Chinese have created numerous [[musical instrument]]s, such as the [[zheng]], [[xiao]], and [[erhu]], that have spread throughout [[East Asia|East]] and [[Southeast Asia]], and especially areas under its influence. The [[sheng (instrument)|sheng]] is the basis for several Western [[free-reed instrument]]s.

[[Chinese character]]s have had many variants and styles throughout the Chinese history, and were "[[Simplified Chinese character|simplified]]" in the mid-[[20th century]] on mainland China. [[Calligraphy]] is a major art-form in China, above that of [[painting]] and [[music]]. Because of its association with elite scholar-official bosses, it later on became commercialized, where works by famous artists became prized [[possessions]].

The great variation and beauty in the Chinese landscape is often the inspiration for great works of Chinese art. See [[Chinese painting]] for more details.

[[Calligraphy]], [[sushi]], and [[bonsai]] are all millennia-old art that later spread to [[Japan]] and [[Korea]].

==Science and technology==

[[Image:Yang Liwei space suit.JPG|thumb|The space suit worn by [[Shenzhou 5]] astronaut Yang Liwei. China was the third nation to launch a person into orbit.]]

{{main|Science and technology in China}}

In addition to the cultural innovations mentioned above, technological inventions from China include:

* [[Compass]]

* Block [[Printmaking]] / [[Printing Technology]]

* [[Paper]]

* Asian [[abacus]]

* [[Gunpowder]]

* [[Crossbow]]

* [[Stirrup]]

* [[Lacquer]]

* [[Rudder]]

* [[Seismograph]]

* [[Silk]]

* [[Porcelain]]

* [[Paper money]]

* The [[Glider]]

* The [[Hot air balloon]]

* [[Fireworks]]

Other areas of technological study:

* The main applications of [[mathematics]] in traditional China were [[architecture]] and [[geography]]. Pi ([[Pi|&pi;]]) was calculated by [[5th century]] mathematician [[Zu Chongzhi]] to the seventh digit. The [[decimal system]] was used in China as early as 14 Century BC. [[Pascal's Triangle|"Pascal's" Triangle]] was discovered by mathematician [[Liu Ju-Hsieh]], long before [[Pascal]] was born.

* Studies in [[biology]] have been extensive, and historic records are consulted even today, such as [[pharmacopoeia]]s of [[herbology|medicinal plant]]s.

* [[Chinese medicine|Traditional medicine]] and [[surgery]] were highly advanced at various points in history, and in some fields are still seen as innovative. They continue to play a growing role in the international medical community, and have achieved recognition over the last few decades in the West as [[alternative and complementary therapies]]. An example is [[acupuncture]], although it is somewhat controversial in some quarters. However, [[autopsy]] was unacceptable, because of the common belief that a [[corpse]] should not be violated. Nevertheless, there were several [[physician|doctors]] who have increased the understanding of internal [[anatomy]] by violating this autopsy [[taboo]].

* [[Alchemy]] was [[Taoist]] [[chemistry]], very different from modern chemistry.

* [[Chinese astrology]] and [[Chinese constellation|constellation]]s were often used for divination

* Military innovations include the [[crossbow]] and the [[grid sight]], crossbow [[stirrup]], [[repeating crossbow]]s, [[poison gas]] (smoke from burning dried mustard), [[tear gas]] made from powdered lime, [[relief maps]] for battle planning, manned [[kites]], fire lance, rockets, gunpowder incendiaries, gunpowder grenades, proto-handguns, various gun-related ammunition types and the [[cannon]].

==Miscellaneous topics==

* [[Confucianism]]

* [[list of China-related topics]]

* [[Chinese dragon]]s

* [[Chinese name]]s

* [[Chinese language]]

* [[Chinese nationalism]], cultural, historiographical, and political theories, movements and beliefs that assert the idea of a cohesive, unified Chinese people and [[culture]] under state(s) that are primarily Chinese.

* [[environment of China]]

* Water and Wastewater problems in China (http://www.hkc22.com/chinawater.html)

* Nanotechnology and Nano-covergence in China (http://www.hkc22.com/nanochina.html)

* [[Cormorant fishing]]

* [[giant panda]]s

* [[imperialism in Asia]]

* [[military history of China]]

* [[overseas Chinese]]

* [[postage stamps and postal history of China]]

* [[price of tea in China]]

* [[Shanghai woman]]

* [[List of Chinese battles]]

==See also==

*[[Buddhism in China]]

*[[Islam in China]]

*[[Chinese mythology]]

*[[Chinese art]]

*[[Chinese paper art]]

*[[Chinese poetry]]

*[[Chinese painting]]

*[[Music of China | Chinese Music]]

*[[List of Chinese provinces]]

*[[Political divisions of China]]

*[[Chinese democracy movement]]

==External links==

{{Wikinewscat|China}}

{{wikisourcecat}}

* [http://www.sino.uni-heidelberg.de/igcs/ Internet Guide for Chinese Studies]

* [http://50.1911encyclopedia.org/C/CH/CHINA.htm 1911 EB "China"]

* [http://www.chinadigitaltimes.net China Digital Times]

* [http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/ China History Forums!]

* [http://www.mondophoto.net/asia/china/china.html Mondophoto.net] - 4200 photos of China

* [http://www.worldwide-tax.com/china/indexchina.asp China taxes, businee and economy].

{{East_Asia}}

[[Category:Ancient history]]

[[Category:China|*]]

[[Category:East Asian countries]]

<!-- The below are interlanguage links. -->

[[ar:صين]]

[[ast:China]]

[[bg:Китай]]

[[bn:চীন]]

[[chr:ᏥᎾ]]

[[cs:Čína]]

[[cy:Tsieina]]

[[da:Kina]]

[[de:China]]

[[et:Hiina]]

[[el:Κίνα]]

[[eo:Ĉinio]]

[[es:China]]

[[eu:Txina]]

[[fa:جمهوری خلق چین]]

[[fi:Kiina]]

[[fr:Chine]]

[[gl:China]]

[[he:סין]]

[[hi:चीन]]

[[ht:Chin]]

[[hu:Kína]]

[[id:China]]

[[ia:China]]

[[io:Chinia]]

[[is:Kína]]

[[it:Cina]]

[[ja:中国]]

[[ka:ფაიფური]]

[[ko:중국]]

[[kw:Cheyna]]

[[la:Sina]]

[[ms:China]]

[[nl:China]]

[[no:Kina]]

[[pl:Chiny]]

[[pt:China]]

[[ru:Китай]]

[[sa:चीन]]

[[simple:China]]

[[sl:Kitajska]]

[[sv:Kina]]

[[ta:சீனா]]

[[tr:Çin Halk Cumhuriyeti]]

[[vi:Trung Quốc]]

[[zh:中国]]

[[zh-min-nan:Tiong-kok]]