Kang Youwei's utopian The Book of Great Unity

05/20/23 • 0 min

The Chinese Revolution

A short look at Kang Youwei's utopian The Book of Great Unity. What do you think of this utopia?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A short look at Kang Youwei's utopian The Book of Great Unity. What do you think of this utopia?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Episode 25 - Kang Youwei

A discussion of Kang Youwei, the famous Chinese scholar, writer, reformer and speaker. His early years, Buddhist meditations, success passing through the Qing examinations system and activism are considered. His exile following the 100 days of Reform to the Chinatowns of Canada and southeast Asia are described, including the founding of the Society to Protect the Emperor. It achieved, at least initially, much more popularity than Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary movement. Kang also lived in India and met Mahatma Gandhi and discussed the caste system and religion. After the 1911 Chinese revolution, Kang returned to China and failed in a coup to restore Pu Yi as emperor. After his death in 1927, his utopian The Book of Great Unity was published. It describes a world without rulers, races, religions, marriage or families.

Image: "Kang youwei.jpg" by 风之清扬 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Dr. Sun Yat-sen

Dr. Sun Yat sen is a legend in mainland China, on Taiwan and in the Chinatowns of the world. This revolutionary's picture can be found at Tiananmen Square in Beijing and in the Legislative Chamber in Taipei.

Few people are recognized as heroes by both the Chinese Communist Party and the KMT. Dr. Sun Yat-sen is one of them.

This episode explores his early life and education in Cuiheng Village, in Honolulu, in Guangzhou and in Hong Kong. Against his older brother's wishes, he is baptized and converts to Christianity. He tries to work for Earl Li Hongzhang, but then starts a revolutionary movement with the Revive China Society and launches his first insurrection in Guangzhou. He is then banished and is kidnapped in London and becomes a media darling. This peasant's son is fast becoming a revolutionary hero.

Image: "Dr. Sun Yat-sen" by bfishadow is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

For more information, sources and content see: https://chineserevolution.substack.com

Or enjoy The Chinese Revolution YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCOjBYMNC_3xjQXKv6ab9YA?sub_confirmation=1

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.