Friday, December 26, 2008

122. Chinoiserie

A. What is Chinoiserie.
B. The definition of Chinoiserie from Wikipedia.
C. More information concerning Chinoiserie
D. Chinoiserie furniture. Through the pictures provided in this site you could be surprised at seeing so many kinds of Chinoiserie furniture.
E. Chinoiserie Wallpapers. This site provides you with the list of manufacturers producing Chinoiserie wallpapers.
F. Through this site you could find beautiful Chinese stencils.
G. More information concerning the chinoiserie.
H. Chinoiserie in Britain 1650-1930. This is the introduction to the exhibition in England. The information can be retrieved through this site.
I. Chinoiserie French Essence. Through this site you could find information on the incorporation of Chinese design elements in French design.
J. Tell you more about Chinoiserie, Anyway?
K. Chinoiserie Textiles and Embroideries

Thursday, December 18, 2008

121. Chinese Culture Thrives Again in America Today

You have learned a lot from my blog about Chinese cultural influence on the early development of the United States. You may wonder how about today. In the era that Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut and McDonald are seen all over China, there are still influence of Chinese Culture on the United States. You will find answer trough this link.

Friday, November 28, 2008

120. Early American China Trade

Throught this link you will learn importance of the China Trade after the Revolution, the backgrounds of China trade, trading strategies, commodities of the trade and ships of the trade. You fill find out that one of the contributing causes of colonial unrest was the exclusion of Americans from what was seen in the colonies as a very lucrative China trade.

With the volume of foreign trade relatively small during the early years of the Republic, trade with China played a significant role. By the 1830’s, trade routes were well established between the United States and China, and the names of ports in the Eastern hemisphere, once exotic and mysterious, were becoming increasingly familiar to Americans as places of importance to the United States’ economy.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

119. The First Porcelain Company in Colonial North America

The colonists worked hard to rid of their dependency on Britain for Chinese products, such as Chinese porcelain ware. One reason is that the porcelain ware were heavily taxed under the Townsend Acts of 1767. The other reason is that the colonists wanted to pursue something different from Britain. They wanted to strengthen their own identity by developing the products with foreign characteristics. Gousse Bonin & George Anthony Morris established the "American China Manufactory", on the site of what is now the Navy Yard. Read more about this company through this link.

118. Thomas H. Perkins, a Millionaire, made by the China Trade

Thomas Handasyd Perkins was a Boston Merchant, who played a significant role in the China Trade. Perkins was one of the first
Boston merchants to engage in this trade. In 1789 he sailed on the Astrea to Canton. Its cargo included ginseng, cheese, lard, wine, and iron. On the trip back it carried tea and cotton cloth. As the trade developed, his ships went first to the coast of the Pacific Northwest to trade for furs from the native American Indians, and then to China to exchange the skins for Chinese goods. The China trade made Perkins a millionaire. More stories about Perkins in the China Trade through this link.

117. China Trade and the Connecticut Valley

Dr. Wang's essay, Ginseng, the herb that Helped the United State Entered International Commerce, examines the role which the herb played in the Americans effort to open the China Trade. Through reading this essay, New England and the China Trade you will find the historical fact that the residents of the Connecticut River valley became rich by digging Ginseng and providing them to the China Trade.
American Ginseng exports to China in February 2003 totaled 39 tons -- not much more than the Empress of China carried 218 years ago, but considerably more than the zero total for February 2000. More information through this link.

116. China Trade in New England, 1800s

From October 30, 2004 through March 6, 2005 Bruce Museum of Arts and Science, Greenwich, Connecticut State had an exhibition, China Trade in New England: A Connecticut Captain’s Journey. The Exhibit was over, however, the information concerning the exhibit stays. Through this introduction to the exhibition you can learn something about the comercial ties between China and the region.

115. George and Martha Washington's Chinese Porcelain Ware

Washington's Cincinnati set was plainly Chinese. The set was brought back from China by Samuel Shaw in his first trip to China, the Empress of China in 1784. It is the well-known dull white, hard paste of Canton manufacture, with a border of common-place Oriental design in deep blue under the glaze. Some of the pieces have (all, perhaps, had originally) a narrow rim of gilt on the outer edge, and a narrow line of gilt within the border. You can read more about Washington's porcelain ware through this link.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

114. George Washington's Teas

You might know that George Washington was a tea lover. According to his step grandfather, Washington would drink three cups of tea without cream before he started his breakfast. However, you might not know what kinds of teas Washington liked to drink. Through this link you will find out George Washington's favored tea.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

113. Bill Clinton on Chinese Civilization

China has played an important role in our history. In 1784, shortly after America's independence, the first American merchant ship landed in China. The Chinese officials knew we were not European, so they simply called us the "new people." And though we were unfamiliar, the Chinese allowed us to trade freely with them. So one of the oldest societies on Earth, China, extended the hand of friendship to the world's youngest nation.

Remarks at a state dinner honoring President Jiang
Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, Nov 3, 1997
more of his speech available through this link

112. China and the Colonists' Choice of Landing

China' s influence on North American started the first day when the colonists stepped on the American soil in Virginia in 1606. They were instructed by Virginia Company to land on the place when they could easily sailed to "other sea" (Pacific Ocean).

Thursday, November 20, 2008

111. Massachussets and the Early US-China Trade

The Governor of Massachusetts, one of the states that initiated the early China trade, talked about the significance of the trade to the development of the United States. Through reading of the speech, you will be able to learn the history of the trade and its meaning today.

110. Ginseng Trade War between US and Korea

In the early period of US-China trade, Ginseng became the main commercial goods that United States merchants shipped to China from North America. The inflow of huge amount Ginseng into Chinese market caused the depreciation of Ginseng's price. The Korean, who had exported Ginseng to China, waged a war against American Ginseng. Through this link you could read the research, examining the influence of American Ginseng on Korean's Ginseng trade with China.

109. Explore Early US-China Trade

This is the link through which you can learn more knowledge about the content and scale of the early trade between China and the United States. You also could enjoy the antiques that remind you of the flourishing days of the trade and the old Chinese system that dominated the trade.

108. How to Teach US-China Trade

Yale University started a project for public schools in order to help them in their efforts to teach students understanding China. Here you can find a detailed teaching plan showing how to teach US-China Trade.Through this teaching plan, you also learn how the US-China trade was started? By whom? The most important question for you might be why China? Why China Trade? Hopefully, you will find answers to the questions from reading the plan. If not, probably you have to read more items in this weblog.

107. Printed Materials on Early American Trade with China

With the trade volume is getting large day by day, the demand for understanding the history of US trade with China is increasing in both the United States and China. Through this link one can find printed materials in the study of early trade between China and the United States.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

106. Benjamin Franklin, Geoege Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Chinese Civiliation

Some friends recommended me the abstract that Dr. Wang's presentation in the Third World Conference of American Studies, held by the International Association for American Studies, in September 2007 in Lisbon. You can access it through this link.

105. U.S.-China World Through Its Writers

This article examines briefly the history of Chinese American literature from current to the first day when the Chinese stepped on the soil of North America. According to the author, in the time when increasing globalized commerce and Olympiad competition between the United States and China, "literature may appear as the odd one in the race." However, the literature--writing of the Chinese of America will provide us with the insights through which we can look into "the shifts of Sino-American relations in the past, and inform American and Chinese readers in the present."

Thursday, October 30, 2008

104. Technorati Includes This Site

The well-known website for teaching has collected this weblog in. As the leading blog search engine and most comprehensive source of information on the blogosphere, it indexes over 1.5 million new blog posts in real time and introduces millions of readers to blog and social media content.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

103. Thomas Jefferson and Chinese Classics

The following link takes you to the paper that discusses how Thomas Jefferson was encouraged by a legendary Chinese Prince. This paper's title is "All Posterity Would Remember My Legacy: Thomas Jefferson and a Legendary Chinese Prince"

102. Ginseng and the Start of U.S-CHINA Relations

This paper tells the story how Ginseng, the Herb that Chinese love so much, helped the new born United States with its effort to enter international trade.

101. Founding Fathers of U.S. & Chinese Proeclain

You could enjoy reading about The founding fathers of U. S. and Chinese Proclain through this link

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

100. George Washington and the Empress of China

During the Revolutionary War, Samuel Shaw served as an officer in the Continental Army. He became the supercargo of the Empress of China. He was awarded the position partially because of Washington's recommendation. Based on his acievements, he was appointed by George Washington as the first American council in China.
When in Canton, Samuel Shaw hired some Chinese porcelain artists to make some special chinaware for General Washington. Some of them with the Badge of Cincinnati Committee. Here you find one of those chinaware.
In the meantime, you could read his jounal on line, through which you could find interesting stories about China in the years when the youngest nation and the oldest nation came to know each other.

099. The Sails in the Wake of the Empress of China

The success of the Empress of China encouraged other American merchants to send trading ships to China. This is another successful story of American trade with China. The above link will demonstrate to you how the merchants from New York area overcame difficulties on their way of establishing profitable business relations with China

098. The Documents Related to the Empress of China

On February 22, 1784, the Empress of China, the first commercial ship of the United States, that reached the shore of China, left for Guangzhou (Canton). Robert Morris, then Financial Minister of the New Nation, organized and financed the great sail. The Papers of Robbert Morris tells you the the origin of the trip.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

097.Chinese Soldiers Fought in U.S. Civil War

One of the most important anniversaries in American history is coming
in 2010-2015. This marks the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War (1860-1865). My friend, Jeffrey Bingham Mead, the president and founder of the History Education Council of Hawaii, an allied organization with the National Council for History Education, sent me some excellent links, through which one can access the information and research results on the Chinese soldiers who fought in the civil war. I list them for you in the following:
01. Association to Commemorate the Chinese Serving in the American Civil War
02.Chinese Soldiers Fought in U.S. Civil War
03. Chinese Soldiers Fought in U.S. Civil War
04. On July 30, 2008 House made the Resolution Honoring Asian and Pacific Islander Civil War Veterans, (House Resolution 415)
05. CHINESE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR VETERAN HONORED IN PENNSYLVANIA CEREMONIES

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

096. Basic Materials in U.S. China Relations

For the purpose of saving your time I provide you with the links of basic materials in the study of the Sino-American Relations. If you know other links please contact me.

01.Chinese Export Porcelain for the American Trade, 1785-1835 (free book on Google)
02.Caleb Cushing, 1800-1879
03. Cushing Papers
04.Anson Burlingame (1820-1870)
05.Burlingame Treaty
, 1868
06.Li Hongzhang
(1823-1901)
07.Chinese Exclusion Act, 1882
08.Chinese Americans


09.Chinese American and Trans-continental railroad

10.John Dewey in China

11.Magnuson Act
, 1943
12.John Hay’s first
open door note
1899 A
13.critical examination
of Open door policy
14.Open door policy
15.William W. Rockhill’s report
16.Boxer Rebellion
17.Eight-Nation Alliance
18.Boxer Rebellion Indemnity Scholarship Program

19.American forces
in the Box Rebellion

20.Dollar diplomacy
, 1909-1913

21.Knox plan opposed
by the Russians
22.Knox plan opposed by the Japanese
23.Japanese
21 demands
in 1915
24.Woodrow Wilson’s China Policy, 1913-1917 —online book
26.Russian Revolution and Wilson’s Far Eastern Policy (FTP File)
27.The Lansing and Ishii Exchange Notes of 1917
28.Treaty of Versailles 1919
29.The May fourth Movement 1919
30.US and Japan Hostility from 1915 to 1932
31.Washington conference 1921-1922
32.Five power pact
33.Nine power pact
34.American Policy
and the Chinese Revolution, 1925-1928 (online book)
35.Kellogg and Briand pact of 1928
36.September 18, 1931 Incident
37.Stimson Doctrine, 1932
38.Lytton Report
39.Chennault’s Flying Tiger
40.Chinese Americans’ Contribution during the Sino-Japanese War

41.Sino-American Treaty
1943
42.The Chinese Exclusion Repeal Act, December 17, 1943

43.Cairo Conference
, November 22-26, 1943
44,Cairo Declaration, 1943
45.PRC’s position on Cairo Declaration
45.Taiwan Independent opinion
46.Dixie Mission ---United States Army Observation Group, 1944-1947
47.Hurley Mission, 1944
48.China-
Burma (Myanmar)-India
Theater
49.General
Stillwell and Chiang
Jieshi

50.Tehran Conference
, November 28-December 1, 1943
51.Marshall Mission and its Failure, 1945-1947

52.Yalta Conference
, February 4-11, 1945

53.Potsdam Conference
, July 16- August 2, 1945

54.Potsdam Agreement

55.Mao Zedong on US China Relations, including White Paper Friedship or Agrression Fairwell. Leighton Stuart Cast Away Illusions
56.Dean Acheson
57.Dean
Acheson Papers

58.China Lobby
59.Joseph McCarthy, 1908-1957
60.Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty 1954
61.Chinese Nuclear Weapons
62.The history of the first Chinese Atomic Bomb
63.Ping Pang Diplomacy, 1971
64.Nixon’s Trip to China with original documents
65.The Shanghai Communiqué, February, 27, 1972
66.Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, 1 January 1979
67.Joint Sino-US Communiqué, August 17, 1982
68.Taiwan Relation Act, January 1, 1979
69.US Arms Sales to Taiwan, Congress Report 2008
70.Major Events in US.-China Relations, 1972- 2001
71.Taiwan’s Political Status: Historical Background and On-going Implications (PDF)
72.Normalization of US and China Relations: An Introductory History

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

095. Institutions and Associations for Chinese Studies Worldwide

I think you might like to find through my weblog a post in which you can locate an organization or an association specializing in China studies. There is a website through which you will be able to find an institute or an association in the field of China studies.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

094. Benjamin Franklin and China

Dr. Wang's project, Benjamin Franklin and China, is making remarkable progress. Franklin Gazette, the most prestigious magazine in the study of Benjamin Franklin, has published three essays written by Dr. Wang. They include, Exploring Benjamin Franklin's Moral Life, Vol 17, No.1 2007; Benjamin Franklin and the Great Wall of China, Vol. 18, No. 1 2008, and Benjamin Franklin's Efforts to Promote Sericulture in North America, Vol.18, No.2, 2008.

093. Internet Guide for Chinese Studies

This website, including very comprehensive information concerning Chinese studies, is maintained by Sinological Institute, Leiden University, Netherlands.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

092. Benjamin Franklin and Confucius

Please enjoy the information on Dr. Wang's lecture at St. Johns University on Benjamin Franklin and Confucius moral philosophy. You will learn the content of his speech through this link. You also can enjoy the poster of his presentation, Benjamin Franklin and Confucius Moral Philosophy, through this link.

091. Benjamin and China Was Selected

The famous searching engine for PDF has included Dr. Wang's paper, Benjamin Franklin and China in its website. By just click the above link, you will be led to the paper.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

090. Benjamin Franklin and China Ranks 17

Ever wondered what others are searching for in relation to Benjamin Franklin? Now you can see. Below is a listing of what everyone else is searching for in regard to Benjamin Franklin. Very impressively, Benjamin Franklin and China, Dr. Wang created through his paper Benjamin Franklin and China, ranks 17 out of over 500 searching entries.

089. Early Development of the United States and Chinese Civilization

At St.John University's 13th Forum for Faculty's research, Dr. Wang displayed his study in the influence of Chinese civilization on the early development of the United States. His pioneering research has attracted numerous faculty members and visting scholars, and some graduate students. St. Johns University has published the brief introduction to his research, which is available through this link.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

087. Ginseng and the Early Development of the United States


Dr. Wang's paper, Ginseng, the Herb that Helped the United States to Enter International Commerce . In which Dr. Wang mentioned George Washington's concern about the Ginseng business in North America during his era. You could find more information on Ginsing in the United States history and current time through this website. Last Saturday I went to take this photo from a traditional Chinese drug store in Flushing, Queens, New York, where you can find many stores doing Ginseng business. We can tell from it that American Ginseng are still popular among the Chinese where ever they are.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

086. Benjamin Franklin and the Chinese Silk

Dr. Dave Wang's paper Benjamin Franklin' Efforts to Promote Chinese Sericulture in North America has been published in the E-Magazine of Huaren (Chinese)May 2008.

085. Benjamin Franklin and the Great Wall of China

I have realized that you might want to know more about the Great Wall of China in the wake of reading Dr. Dave Wang's paper, Benjamin Franklin and the Great Wall of China, Franklin Gazette, Vol. 18, No. 1, Spring 2008. Please enjoy the video about the great wall.

Friday, May 23, 2008

084. Franklin's Discovery after the Earthquake in 1737

In the wake of the devastating disaster generated by the earthquake in China on May 12, 2008, Scholars and the public worldwide are discussing the possibility to predict the occurring of an earthquake. I hope that we can get certain hints from Franklin's findings.


The Earthquake which surpriz’d us here on Wednesday Night the 7th Inst. was not felt at Annapolis in Maryland, but the Accounts we have from New-Castle on Delaware, represent the Shake to be nearly as violent there as here. We have not as yet heard of it from any Place farther to the Southward than NewCastle. But it was felt at Conestogoe near 100 Miles Westward of this City, where some Clouds at the same time were seen to waver, dance, disappear and appear again in an uncommon and surprizing manner. And all the Accounts we have hitherto received from the Northward, make us suspect that the most violent Shock was in that Quarter. Three or four Evenings successively after the Earthquake an unusual Redness appeared in the Western Sky and southwards, continuing about an hour after Sunset, gradually declining. It reach’d near 45 Degrees above the Horizon.

Monday, May 19, 2008

083. Franklin on Earthquake in 1750

In Jamaica, on June 7, at about 20 minutes to 12, immediately in the wake of a loud thunder, the earth began to shake, and then the walls of the houses fell on every side. Three shakes came one after another. The sea receded, then rushed back with terrible force, sweeping over the land and drowning hundreds of persons. Thousands perished. Shortly before noon on June 7, 1693, 33 acres (66%) of the "storehouse and treasury of the West Indies" sank into Kingston Harbor. (This information is from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/world/events/1692_06_07.php)


In June 1750, Benjamin Franklin with his vivid language relayed the tragedy generated by the earthquake. In the critical time when the Chinese people, with the support of the whole world, are fighting heroically to recover from the tremendous casualty and damage caused by the earthquake of May 12, 2008, I post the following Franklin's description of the Jamaican tragedy. I hope that all peoples in the world should learn from Franklin's description that we should work together to find ways to avoid natural calamities, which are coming to visit the earth more and more frequently.

On the 7th of this Month, 1692, the Town of Port Royal, in Jamaica, was sunk by a fearful Earthquake.
The Day was very clear, and afforded no Suspicion of the least Evil; but in the Space of three Minutes, about half an Hour after 11 in the Morning, the fine Town was shaken to Pieces, sunk into, and cover’d, for the greater Part, by the Sea: By the falling of the Houses, Opening of the Earth, and Inundation of the Waters, near 2000 Persons were lost, many of Note.
For some Days afterwards, ’twas dismal to see the Harbour cover’d with the dead Bodies of People of all Conditions, floating up and down without Burial: For the great Burial Place, was destroy’d by the Earthquake; which dashing to Pieces the Tombs, whereof there were Hundreds in that Place, the Sea washed the Carcasses of those who had been buried out of their Graves.
A Sickness followed, which carried off some Thousands more.
During the Earthquake, Thieves robbed and plundered the Sufferers, even among the Ruins, while the Earth trembled under their Feet. Some were killed in the very Act by falling Walls, &c. JULY. V Month.

082. Dr. Wang's Published Papers on Benjamin Franklin and Chinese Civilization

01. Benjamin Franklin and China: A Survey of Benjamin Franklin’s Efforts at Drawing Positive Elements from Chinese Civilization during the Formative Age of the United States
02.Benjamin Franklin and Chinese Civilization, U.S –China Relation Series, No. 2, New York, Outer Sky Press, August 2006. Contact the Institute of Asian Studies at St. Johns University or send me an email, and I will try to help you.
03. Benjamin Franklin’s Attitude toward Chinese Civilization,
Social Science Journal of Harbin Institute of Technology, Issue 4, 2006
04.Exploring Benjamin Franklin’s Moral Life, Franklin Gazette, Volume 17, No. 1, Spring 2007
05. Benjamin Franklin and Chinese Civilization, in Reset Dialogues on Civilizations
06.Benjamin Franklin and the Great Wall of China Franklin Gazette, Volume 18, No, 1, Spring 2008.
07. Benjamin Franklin's Efforts to Promote Sericulture in North America, Huaren-E Magazine, May 2008.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

081. Experts on Dr. Wang's Project, Chinese Civilization and the Early Development of the United States

In order to celebrate the anniversary of my blog and help you to understand better Dr. Wang's project, I provide you with the following comments on the project, THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND CHINESE CIVILIZATION. Dr. Wang has received many comments given by the experts and scholars from various parts of the world. I choose among the numerous letters the following paragraphs. Forgive me, for I have decided to give you just initials of the experts'. If you need further information regarding their comments on Dr. Wang's project, please do not hesitate to contact me or Dr. Wang.

Argentina

Dr. N L
I have attentively read your work on Benjamin Franklin and China. It was exiting to follow the detailed way in which show how Franklin made use of Confucius's ideas and moral values to improve his own life and also the life of his fellow Americans. The philosophical teachings he derived from Confucius helped him become socially and economically successful. Franklin materialized Confucius moral philosophy into practical works which were not only beneficial for him, but for society as a whole. He turned Confucius moral philosophy in better quality of life by applying it to improve agriculture, industry, technology and also the government and welfare systems of his time.

The great deed brought about by Franklin through the study and adjournment of the positive elements of Chinese civilization, particularly of Confucius moral philosophy, in search for the happiness of the individual and of humankind, comes very close to the work the Buenos Aires Yoga School (BAYS) has been carrying out for the last 23 years. BAYS is a philosophical laboratory which takes the ideas of the great thinker of all times – a group to which, of course, Confucius and Franklin belong to – and applies them to improve the quality of life of the individual and his environment.

As a lover of wisdom I admire your work and it is a great pleasure to be able to continue this enriching exchange with you.



Australia

Dr. K C
Wishing you another successful New Year in your great work which will help to bring mutual understanding between East and West Chinese and Western world. Keep up with your excellent work


Germany

I L
I have read you paper and I was really impressed. It is EXTREMELY interesting and I have never before heard that Benjamin Franklin was aware of and interested in the Great Wall of China! How did he know? I really liked your paper and I hope that you will publish it, so that much more scholars become aware of the great influence China had on early America! Really fascinating.

Italy
M C
I appreciate your sending me the links to your articles. What you are doing is very interesting and opens paths in various directions.

V G
I have actually read both your essay on Franklin and the ones on Tea and Ginseng, and I found all of them stimulating and rich in new reading perspectives on early American Civilization. I think you're doing an important work and I want to thank you for referring me to it.

Japan

Dr. I F
It is very interesting to notice that Boston Tea Party was derived from tea from China, as well as Benjamin Franklyn became so interested in Chinese civilization to forward his ideas. Thank you again, and I wish we could correspond fruitfully on the relation between China and the U.S.

Thank you again for your very insightful and challenging theses, Dave. I do believe the historical relations
between China and the U.S. should be more clearly made public to promote friendly and mutually beneficial relations.


The United States

Dr. S B
I have just finished going over your paper. You did an excellent job. Franklin really appreciated China and you scoured the literature thoroughly to obtain all the references to prove it... Excellent

Dr. W D
I have now read, word for word, your splendid paper on BF, and cannot suggest a single addition or change. It contains some important historical facts and insights too little known in this ahistorical country here.
Congratulations on a significant and fascinating piece of research, written in flawless English.

R G
The theme of the Founding Fathers & China is both timely and important. Keep up the research.

Dr. D H
You certainly make a solid argument for Franklin's use of Chinese philosophy and culture into his own philosophy for America. Franklin seemed to believe in a creative source that was perhaps benign but not actively involved in the affairs of mankind. Men had to find there way by reason, etc. Also, walking the Way seems directly related to various Eastern philosophical positions, such as the Tao.

I've read your paper, and I found it to be a good argument in favor of the notion that Franklin did study and use much from Chinese Civilization towards building a stable American Society. I particularly liked the section on
Confucian philosophy. You use primary sources in building a case for Franklin's adoption of some aspects of this thought in his own striving for excellence in character. The development of an American character is, as you argue, one of Franklin's great contributions to American culture.

Franklin's practical minded-ness and his efforts to develop a strong economy for Americans is also developed in your paper. As you illustrate, he did look at such things as how to heat efficiently, and you document well, his study
of Chinese methods of heating. Agriculture was also an important topic for him because he knew the expansion and growth of the society depended on it. On the other hand you explain well the relevance of the Chinese ship-building with tight compartments.


Dr. C L
I have read your essay on Franklin and China. The topic is fascinating and you have obviously done a lot of research.

J M
Last evening I was conducting a web search when I came upon your blog and your essay, ‘Benjamin Franklin and China –A Survey of Benjamin Franklin’s Efforts at Drawing Positive Elements from Chinese Civilization During the
Formative Age of the United States.’ Your paper is a fascinating treatise on a subject few have researched and published.

Dr. D S
Although I have always admired Franklin, I confess that I have yet to learn enough about him—in spite of the fact that my late and beloved father was at one time the curator of the Franklin Collection at the Yale University. And until I read your article I knew nothing of his writings on China. Congratulations and best Wishes.

Dr. M S
This is a fascinating, new area of study.

Dr. R S
Thank you very much for sending your article on Franklin and Confucius; I found it very interesting and informative. As a matter of fact, after reading your article I decided to read Franklin's Autobiography. What a wonderful story! (Sad to say, I had never read it before and probably would not have if I hadn't been your essay.)

Dr. P T
What a wonderful piece of research, Dave. Congratulations! Your ideas are superb.

Thank you so much for sending me a copy of your paper on Franklin and Confucius. I was impressed by its depth, clarity of thought, and scholarship.

Monday, January 28, 2008

077. Chinese Civilization and the Early Development of the United States

01. The Founding Fathers of the United States and Chinese Civilization,The International American Studies Association, October 2007
02. Tea, the Leaves that Triggered the American War for Independence, Huren E-Magazine, September 2007, pp.17-20.
03. Ginseng, the Herb that Helped the United States to Enter International Commerce,Huren E-Magazine, May 2007 pp.
04.The Founding Fathers of the United States and Chinese Porcelain Ware Huaren E-Magazine, January, 2008 pp.22-26.

076. Benjamin Franklin and Chinese Civilization

01. Benjamin Franklin and China: A Survey of Benjamin Franklin’s Efforts at Drawing Positive Elements from Chinese Civilization during the Formative Age of the United States
02.Benjamin Franklin and Chinese Civilization, U.S –China Relation Series, No. 2, New York, Outer Sky Press, August 2006. Contact the Institute of Asian Studies at St. Johns University or send me an email, and I will try to help you.
03. Benjamin Franklin’s Attitude toward Chinese Civilization,
Social Science Journal of Harbin Institute of Technology, Issue 4, 2006
04.Exploring Benjamin Franklin’s Moral Life, Franklin Gazette, Spring 2007
05. Benjamin Franklin and Chinese Civilization, in Reset Dialogues on Civilizations
06.Benjamin Franklin and the Great Wall of China