Abstract
This paper analyzes the European motives for exploring Asia and the Atlantic. It specifically compares and contrasts those motives in Asia before 1350 and the Atlantic after 1350. The paper concludes that while the long-term and prime motives differed, to a larger extent the reasons Europeans were exploring Asia and the Atlantic were similar.

From the Paper
"Therefore, although the major European explorations of Asia and the Atlantic occurred over a two century divide, their motives seem largely similar. When Europeans dictated the terms of exploration, the motives for expansion were essentially the same, involving the hope of commercial expansion, the spread of Christianity and the more general hope of increased geographical and comparative knowledge with other regions of the world. It was only the imminent threat of Mongol invasion which spurred ecclesiastical and diplomatic relations into Asia, once this threat had receded, a commercial and mercantilist approach was taken. This was similar in the Atlantic where military domination of weaker peoples was not the initial motive for exploration; rather, it was access to valuable resources and the prospect of religious conversion. This shows the sustenance of a similar European mentality across the Middle Ages, a mentality in which the European power position was understood, dominating economic and religious exploration to both the East and West, rather than using military power and brute force."

Tags:expansion, threat, Mongol, invasion

Abstract
The paper discusses the two world wars and the many economic factors that lead to India's eventual independence. The paper looks at India's political institutions devoted to India's independence and the British policy concerning India during the Second World War that impacted Indian decolonisation.

From the Paper
"Historians have contested the factors involved in the failures and ultimate success of the Indian movement for independence. Historians such as Stanley Wolpert believe the aftermath of the First World War sparked the mass movement towards Indian independence. However, John Gladdis argues the Second World War was the main factor that ended the British rule in India and understates the credibility of Wolpert's notion that the First World was the deciding and final factor."

Tags:World, Wars, Gandhi, Britain, Churchill

Abstract
This paper discusses the political motives behind the marriage of Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek and Soong Mei Ling and the advantages it held for both parties. It analyzes how whatever Soong Mei Ling?s motives may have been, there is no doubt that her marriage to Chiang Kai Shek had a distinct influence on national politics. It evaluates how it united the young soldier with the influential Soong family and its wide ranging contacts, raising his status in China. It looks at how Soong Mei Ling introduced Chiang to Western culture and thought and how her fluency in English was highly beneficial to him. It examines how as a husband and wife team, their effects on national politics are seen even today as Taiwan remains an autonomous and capitalist area, a result of their long term anti Communist attitudes.

From the Paper
"Coupled with her understanding of the West, and her fluent English Madame Chiang was an essential aid to the Generalissimo. She was translated documents and English news, giving him instant access to any developments in the West, and of course translated his writings into English, as well as writing her own essays in both Chinese and English. As an example, she supplemented his paper "A fortnight in Sian," with her own, "Sian; A coup d'Etat." She also translated all his essays on the New Life Movement, among many others. Some critics have claimed that she used her skill in translation to influence people according to her will; that is a matter which requires closer investigation, although it cannot be entirely overruled. In short, Mei Ling was Chiang's extremely glamorous connection to the western world."

Tags:china, nationalist, party, western, culture

Abstract
This paper studies the reasons behind as well as the effects on society of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) land reform policy of the early 1950s. It examines how, when the Communist Party came to power in China in 1949, it became evident that there would finally be a complete overhaul of government policies. It also analyzes how land reform in a predominantly agriculturally based economy was essential to the creation of a new social order and the eradication of the previous Qing and Guomindang elements.

From the Paper
"The living conditions and quality of life for many peasants before land reform, or Liberation were certainly very low. This gave the Communist Party a distinct advantage; most peasants had nothing to lose, and the idea of a society that would empower the exploited classes should prove immediately popular. However, there were setbacks. Although the peasants had nothing to lose, landlords, wealthy peasants and people related to the Guomindang were extremely worried, and this resulted in many people fleeing, to Hong Kong in particular. Many peasants were reluctant to join the revolution, being fearful of retribution should the Guomindang come back into power. They had never been involved in political life before, did not understand Marxist ideology, and could not perceive the class struggles within which they were told they were caught up. For this reason it was necessary to raise their class consciousness, a daunting task since peasants were mostly badly educated. Educated people who might be able to understand the Communist Party's social policies were often unwilling to wait around and find out the outcomes of these policies."

Tags:peasants, politics, propaganda, revolution, agriculture

Abstract
This paper examines the role of western imperialist countries in China and the different types of imperialism they tried to impose. The role of treaty ports are looked at, as are the major events in the imperialist period, such as the Opium Wars, the Treaty of Nanking, and the Silver Purchasing Act. It also pays particular attention to the role of the U.S., Russia and Japan in Chinese imperialist affairs. The modernisation process itself is looked at and also the reaction of the Chinese populace and the Ch'ing dynasty.

From the Paper
"At the start of the imperialist period, the British motive for 'opening up' trade in China was driven by the desire and the need to be the dominant military and economic power in the world in order to secure its world hegemony, and in particular its economic hegemony. Britain wanted to 'open up' China "to ensure that India had the means of meeting her financial obligations to Britain, and to this end, markets were sought for Indian as well as for British exports" , in China and in other parts of the Far East, such as Burma and Malaysia. Other powers, however, such as Japan and Russia whilst wanting to open China up for the benefits which it potentially held for them in terms of trade, were also driven by a certain strategic element in their thinking. "

Tags:Silver, Purchasing, Act, Opium, Wars, Treaty, of, Nanking, Ch'ing, Dynasty, Treaty, PortsTientsip

Abstract
This paper examines the reasons of Japanese expansionism in the 1930's and assesses the Great Depression as a factor against other reasons. It provides a brief history of Japan at the time and shows how Japan had been expansionist before the 1930?s, attempting to realise her ambitions from the 1890?s. It looks at how the Great Depression altered the domestic situation in a way which meant existent forces of expansionism, principally in the form of the army, were able to grow. It shows how it laid the way for the army to take control and also helped, through it?s social and economic affects to foster a more pro-Manchurian public opinion.

From the Paper
"Evidence exists of Japanese expansionism from the 1890's and ambitions for this from earlier still. Japan was initially looking to break-out of what Beasley describes as the "Treaty Port System"; the complex system of colonial treaties which gave the imperial powers significant trading and economic advantages. Japan thus signed various commercial treaties, notably with Britain in 1894, to gain greater economic equality. This gradually being achieved, expansion of some form could begin: in 1890, Yamagata Aritomo, high profile politician and leading Genro (with the task of advising the emperor and deciding on various civil appointments), talked of the need to defend Japans? "line of sovereignty." This line included Korea, whose independence Japan would ?guarantee.? "

Tags:army, manchuria, china, russia, nationalism

Abstract
A look at the occupation of Afghanistan by the Soviets. The author examines this occupation from the time before conflict till the time the Soviets fought against Afghan soldiers. A look at the events leading up to this occupation.

From the Paper
"The Soviet experience in Afghanistan is like that of many other world powers throughout history. Nations such as the United States, Britain, France, and China have all enjoyed the difficulties of imperialism. One in which a large, broad, foreign force was used to counter a small force of relatively ill-equipped, native insurgents. In each of these cases the indigenous forces were clearly outgunned and out manned, however they proved to be indomitable. Their will and persistence was stronger than any professional army, more destructive than any modern weapon, and more capable than any highly trained soldier."

Tags:east, middle, russia, terrorism, war

Abstract
This paper describes two of the biggest problems facing Bombay (Mumbai) today. Massive population growth has led to high levels of overcrowding and poor health conditions as a result. There are also huge problems in providing adequate infrastructure as a result of this population growth, made worse by the unique geography of Bombay. The essay then describes the solution that is being implemented: the creation of a new 'growth pole': New Bombay a few miles away.

From the Paper
"The City of Bombay is located on the west coast of India and is one of the largest cities in the world. It is a good example of the kind of dramatic growth that has affected many developing countries in the past 50 years. But this was not always so. Bombay in the mid 17th century consisted of 7 small islands off the west coast of India. The area was surrounded by marshy land, had almost no fertile soil and was inhabited mainly be fishermen. There was no important trade and no resources and thus very little economic activity. But by the end of the 20th Century Bombay had become one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the world with around 15 million inhabitants. Bombay is India's most important port, busiest airport, has the highest concentration of industry, and the most multinational corporations in South East Asia. Why did this dramatic change occur and what have been the resulting negative impacts? To answer these questions it is worth looking at the history of Bombay briefly to understand the background to Bombay's problems, before investigating further two urban problems that Bombay faces and the solutions put forward."

Tags:India, Portuguese, Mughal, Empire, Central, Business, District, CIDCO

Abstract
This essay looks at the benefits Mongolia and the former U.S.S.R. stood to gain from their relationship with each other. The political, ideological, strategic, geographical and industrial perspectives of both countries are considered. Also considered are the feelings of the Mongolian people towards the Chinese, and how these feelings may have been manipulated.

From the Paper
"The relationship between the USSR and the Mongolian People's Republic in the latter half of the 20th century is one that has its roots in a time before the creation of either Communist state. Chinggis Khan's Golden Horde had subjugated areas of Russia many centuries earlier. Russian letters from the mid 19th century proposed preparing a plan to annex Mongolia to Russia should the Manchu overlords ever withdraw into their Manchurian homeland. The Mongols had even appealed to the Russian Tsar for help whilst the Manchu ruled as the Qing dynasty. The crucial point though, is the early 20th century, when the relationship became more one of Elder Brother Younger Brother status, than one with views to colonization. This period formed the basis to a tight bond between the two countries lasting until the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s."

Tags:china, communism, ideology, mao, mongolia, mpr, personality, soviet, trade, union, ussr

Abstract
This paper looks at how Gandhi used non-violence and peaceful protest as a weapon against British Imperial Rule throughout the early twentieth century. The paper looks at key events such as the Quit India protest, the two World Wars and the involvement of Irish nationalists. Gandhi's actions are considered within the global events that shaped Britian's ability to take action against Gandhi: Gandhi was not the only reason the British eventually left India!

From the Paper
"Throughout the ages mankind often instinctively turns to the use of violence to defeat an enemy. Violence is part and parcel of the culture of human beings. And yet one of the greatest freedom struggles in modern history was apparently won through the specific rejection of violence, and the active use of a policy of non-violence. That struggle was between the Indian independence movement and the British colonial administration. At the head of that independence movement was Mahatma Gandhi, a simple Indian who held no office or great wealth, and yet was able to unite a whole subcontinent against the British Empire. Not only that, but he did it in such a peaceful, virtuous way that he made the British question their own morals and eventually forced them out of India. This is the general version that is recorded in history. However, this version of events generally ignores the other forces that influenced the British to withdraw from the Empire in India. Here we will critically examine the view that the use of non-violence was the main reason for the ending of British rule in India, by examining the true organizational nature of non-violent civil disobedience and other events, British and global."

Tags:independence, Mohandas, Mahatma, Hindu, passive, resistance, campaigns, defense, Raja, Viceroy, Lord, Irwin, World, War, II