Why Didn t Marriage Make You Happier - 974 Words

19. Why Didn t Marriage Make You Happier? Your level of happiness in life as a single person is predictive of happiness in your marriage five years later. - Dr. Antonio Borrello A friend of mine has a relationship blog, and this is a very hard concept for unhappy single people to understand. But, unhappy married people, who thought that getting married was going to make them happier, should really be able to see this marriage quote for what it is. You are an individual who makes your own decisions and has your own way of thinking. Your reality of life is what makes you happy or not happy. As we discussed, your reality is not going to change when you get married. You are not going to adopt their reality. You are going to maintain the reality you have because your beliefs and perceptions about life make up your reality. Therefore, if your reality sucks before you get married, and you are not happy, you are going to carry that into the marriage and affect it in a big way. Your unhappiness will make the marriage less happy, not just because you are unhappy, but because you are putting a lot of demand on your spouse to make you happy, which will eventually be too much for him or her and make them unhappy. The point is that whether you are single or married, you are the only one who can make yourself happy. If you are unhappy and blame your spouse, it may be time to look in the mirror and decide how happy you were to begin with. 20. Dates Are Essential In A MarriageShow MoreRelatedIs Marriage A Two Way Street?868 Words   |  4 PagesNo Commitment Is marriage a two way street? Should you stand behind your spouse no matter what? If so, why do we see so many divorces? Well there s a simple answer to that. What is the answer you ask? Marriage is over-rated and shouldn t be a lifetime commitment. It appears everyone either marries for the wrong reasons or believe no matter how bad the situation is they should stay. Oh no! Not again, the windows are rattling and the sound of glass breaking. Here comes the yelling, fightingRead MoreAbstinence Is The Best Form Of Birth Control1379 Words   |  6 Pagesanyone to procreate. Although having a baby may look like unicorns and rainbows, the truth is that many times having a child takes a lot from your time, money and life. I am not saying you should not have kids, but when the timing is right, then it should happen. Most people agree that not having sex before marriage, abstinence, is the preferred choice for men and women because, from a Christian standpoint sexual impurity is a sin acc ording to the Bible. Therefore abstinence is the best form of birthRead MoreMy Mother With A Heart Of Gold And The Courage Of One Thousand Soldiers928 Words   |  4 Pagesaccomplishments in life. I would describe my mother as someone who is strong, very understanding, and my best friend. She was born into family with 4 brothers and sisters that was torn apart by divorce. In her own adult life she has went through two marriages but still manages to keep a smile on her face. She says it is only through the lord that she has been able to provide for me and my sister and get us to where we are today. For these reasons my mom has and will forever influence my life in a positiveRead MoreEssay Pride and Prejudice - Different Attitudes towards Marriage1428 Words   |  6 Pagesmany different attitudes towards marriage that are found in Pride and Prejudice. One of the most obvious attitudes that is shown throughout the book is Mrs Bennets expectations. Her main aim is to get her daughters married to men with fortune. I think her reason for this is because as Mr and Mrs Bennet do not have any sons, their estate will not be entailed onto the daughters, and so Mrs Bennet wants to secure them a good future. She is arranging their marriages to pick someone suitable for themRead MoreRobin Williams Committed Suicide On August 11th 20141088 Words   |  5 Pageslike a happy person and people loved being around him. I believe he covered up his pain by making people laugh, but deep down inside he wasn t happy at all. My research on Robin Williams was heart breaking because I was able to figure out why he might have committed suicide. I will use the theoretical perspective of Conflict Theory which reflects on why Robin Williams Committed Suicide. From my understanding, Conflict Theory affects all social groups in our society and it can be personal or socialRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book The Castle Is A Veritable Prison, And I Am A Prisoner ! 1687 Words   |  7 Pageswant to throw up. Page 52 â€Å"He might kill me, but death now seemed happier the choice of evils.† I find it interesting that he s contradicting how he first viewed his situation when he arrives. He now is so miserable and terrified that he s almost looking forward to death. I would be to if I was in his situation. I wonder what other choice of evils are there to make death seem like the best option? Page 26 â€Å"What music they make!† His use of personification to reference the wolves hollering alsoRead MoreBeing Danny s Best Man937 Words   |  4 PagesGentlemen. For those of you that don t know me, my name s Tyler, and I ve had the privilege of being Danny’s best man. I hope you ve all enjoyed the day so far, and I think you ll all agree... at the church today the bride looked absolutely stunning! Firstly a few thank-yous I have been asked to make. Firstly, to all who have helped in the service, and this lovely party. Whether you have brought food, or helped decorate this place, or just come to support the happy couple, thank you. Secondly to theRead MoreThe Idea, By Raymond Carver And The Death Of Justina1225 Words   |  5 PagesJohn Cheever made it clear that the narrator and his wife were just an idea of a happy marriage and did not truly connect. When the narrator stopped smoking he told his wife that he quit and â€Å"she didn t seem to care and who would reward me for my privations (Cheever)?† This scenario demonstrates the lack of relation between the two spouses which was Cheever’s main critique of monogamy and heterosexual marriages that had to be present in order to be Pro-American. Cheever, living in this time periodRead MoreIt s Enough That I Have Enjoyed Your Stupidity2022 Words   |  9 PagesIt s enough that I have enjoyed your stupidity. I have a phobia entertaining idiots and I pity Erick for having fallen in love with a silly chic like you! was a text message that I sent to one bothersome lady. After being stressed up for sometime, she apologized for her actions and begged me to continue loving her (actually I never and don t love her) saying that she will do her best to be a good girl. In the real sense, the bad one in this friendship is me because every time we talk, what we doRead MoreWhy Do We Get Married7407 Words   |  30 Pagescompany that they would not get if they were single. Nobody wants to return to an empty home, which is what happens if you do not marry. Isolation can be killing. Studies have shown that isolation can be harmful to health as heavy smoking or drinking. It is only in the movies that bachelors look young and carefree. If you see men who are single, after the age of 28 or so, you will find that they look older and more worn out than married persons of the same age. Scores of studies done in North America

RFID Economic Impact Example

Essays on RFID Economic Impact Research Paper Frequency-Identification Jobs Created This is an imperative technology that is applied the contemporary society. It has created various job opportunities for people with great skills in the technology sector. One of the jobs that it has created is an opportunity for technologists, specifically specialists in the field of technology, who focus on production of the technology. Moreover, it has created job opportunities for people responsible for marketing it to various consumer products in different parts of the world. In addition, the use of this technology has enabled many people to access job opportunities, specifically those that are related to tracking of the movement of goods or even those that involve tracking of the operations of a transportation network. Jobs Obstructed On the other hand, the application of the Radio Frequency Identification has facilitated the obstruction of some people’s jobs. That is, some people have lost their jobs due to the invention of this technology while other people have faced hindrances with regard to performance of their jobs. To begin with, certain security personnel have lost their jobs due to the fact that RFID’s have been applied facilitate computerized tracking and monitoring certain persons or social activities. In this regard, persons who might have been employed as security personnel have lost their jobs. The application of Radio-Frequency Identification has also created a scenario whereby issues related to personal privacy are jeopardized. This has hindered effective performance of certain duties that require total privacy. In some cases, companies have employed the use of Radio-Frequency Identification to supervise and monitor the movement of their workers, hence reducing the need for supervisors, hence rendering them jobless. The essence of applying Radio-Frequency Identification chips on humans for purposes human identification has also created a major problem regarding human/personal privacy: RFID are currently highly applied to facilitate duties ascribed to human identification. This has violated personal privacy in many job positions, thus limiting the capacity of the affected individuals to perform freely in their job positions. Job Outlook Radio-Frequency Identification has provided a wide opportunity for people with knowledge ascribed to it to perform different duties in different sectors of the society. Application of this technology extended from application in agricultural practices to provision of security in the defense forces (Hansen et al, 25). A person with proper knowledge in application of the Radio-Frequency Identification may find himself/herself in the agricultural sector, working with farmers with a purpose of implanting the technology on some agricultural products, specifically animals for purposes of tracking and monitoring. Moreover, the application of this technology extends to the business world where it is currently highly applied to facilitate tracking of goods on transit as well as supervising of the movement of certain goods, in this regard, a person with appropriate knowledge on this technology can access a job opportunity in such a field as a consultant or a technology expert, with a responsib ility to install it to the company’s product. The jobs created by the use of Radio-Frequency Identification also extend to the military or the security sector where it is currently highly applied for security purposes i.e. through identification of persons et cetera. Pros and Cons of RFID The first and the most evident impact of this technology is the fact that it has created a lot of job opportunities. This has enhanced the well-being of many people employed as RFID technology consultants or even as supervisors that monitor the movement of some goods as well as the movement of employees. On the other hand, some people have also lost their jobs owing to the fact that some duties that could have been performed physically are currently performed through the use of Radio-Frequency Technology thus replacing the need for physical human efforts. Another impact of the technology is that it has enhanced the performance of some companies that employ its use through reduction of losses. This is due to the fact that it has been effectively applied to track or monitor the movement of a company’s goods thus limiting losses that might have occurred as result of theft or robbery. Additionally, the application of this technology has enhanced agricultural performances among farmers who apply for purposes of tracking or monitoring their activities within their farms. Consequently, the application of this technology has played a significant role in the security sector, a factor that is usually imperative for effective economic growth for instance: It has been applied to facilitate military activities through supervision of certain security aspects (Poirier et al, 23). Future Economic Impacts and Markets With increased use of the technology in various social and economic sectors, the technology will facilitate development in a wide perspective. This shall increase its demand among stakeholders that have seen its benefits from other users. Moreover, its market shall increase among consumers interested to apply it in various social and economic activities that may require monitoring. WORK CITED Hansen, Wolf, and Frank Gillert.  RFID for the optimization of business processes. Chichester, England: John Wiley Sons, 2008. Print. Poirier, Charles C., and Duncan McCollum.  RFID strategic implementation and ROI a practical roadmap to success. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: J. Ross Pub., 2006. Print.

Preparing for academic success at a graduate level free essay sample

Being prepared and responsible may be challenging but can produce a greater reward of success in the future, if managed correctly. Graduate bevel Writing Ata graduate level responsibility and preparedness are very important. With the main goal being on gaining a degree at graduation, academic writing, knowing personal strengths and weaknesses, finding out and knowing ways to improve on weaknesses, time, and stress are among some of the crucial areas at a graduate level to not only be responsible for but to also be prepared for.Seeing that the occasion of graduation comes with many susceptibilities before-hand to reach that ending result, it makes sense that, the more serious the occasion the more preparation is required and the more responsibility you have for the occasion, the more preparation is required (Byrd, 2010). Graduate Level Different from Other Forms forfeiting A good source of responsibility to prepare for is academic writing. At a graduate level writing is different beca use there is a quality and integrity standard and a larger reading audience. As a graduate student writing is a main proponent to academic responsibility, preparedness, and success and it s important to remain authentic in writing style. Authenticity, in writing allows the writer to express a topic creatively and with integrity. But this comes with the challenge of knowing personal strengths and weaknesses when writing. Strengths and Weaknesses of Graduate Level Writing Weaknesses can include poor time management, being ill-prepared, misunderstandings of material and format, stresses in life, and laziness.While strengths can be researching, the codes and rules of proper American psychological Association (PAP) format, citations, and references. Characteristics of Graduate Level Writing When writing at a graduate level the responsibility of integrity should be at the highest priority. By knowing when writing, what part of the subject is common knowledge and what is deemed a major offense called plagiarism. Plagiarism is described in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary as the adoption of anothers ideas, works, or words without well deserved credit being given (2012).Using someone elses words or ideas and not giving due credit is a major infraction that a lot of students resort to whether intentionally or ignorantly. Plagiarism is usually due to poor time management or simple laziness. The suggested format style is American Psychological Association style or better known as PAP. Using the PAP style includes New Times Roman font, 1 inch margins, double spacing, title page, running head, citations, and references to name a few (PAP, 2010).Common knowledge is also often a part of graduate level writing and it is based on how many individuals would know a certain subject to be matter of fact (Purdue University Online, 2007). Being that the core to academic writing is to be authentic and to use integrity, applying PAP format to writing is an efficient way to avoid plagiarism and ivies freedom to write creativity and honestly and helps eliminate undue stresses. Balancing and Managing Time and Stress Time management is another great way to prepare and get rid of undue stresses that can lead to major offenses such as plagiarism.Procrastination is often a huge problem as a student. Procrastination is an area that shows poor time management and poor time management often leads to stress because things are not done in a timely manner (Scott, 201 1). Great ways to manage time for projects or events that come up is to get organized and try o stay that way, building a routine, practicing or forming a good time managing habits, proportioning by making a to-do list, and having a schedule or a personal planner (Scott, 2011).Having a balance in life is also a great way to manage time and reduce stress. Balancing exercise and eating better into the daily planner are great choices to make because eating better and exercise aid in thinking clearer which can help you make better choices (Scott, 201 1). Another part of balancing is knowing how and when to relax. Breathing exercises, working out, hobbies and interests, or just a quiet setting can remote wellness and relive stress leading to managing life with balance and fulfillment (Scott, 2011).In conclusion, areas of academic writing at a graduate level, time management, how to deal with stress and balancing life academically and personally can be challenging and intimidating at times. So many things can come to mind negatively when accomplishing goals, being responsible, and preparing for a future that cannot be seen yet. A wonderful quote letting an individual know who is holding back the steps to a better future is written by Marianne Williamson (1992) that states, Our deepest fear s not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people wont feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. Its not just in some of us; its in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

Western Countries Influence on China in the 19th Century Essay Example

Western Countries Influence on China in the 19th Century Essay For quite a long period of time, China has had the largest economy in the world. Concepts such as use of money and development of merchant class were introduced by the ancient China. The Chinese exhibited a false sense of superiority as they believed that they had nothing to gain by trading with other countries. The country was locked to external trade and it was not until after the Opium War that the country was forcefully opened to the world, which carried both positive and negative effects (Rawski, Para. 2). In the time of cold war, the literature which talked about China’s development focused on two major issues, one was that the involvement in international trade was less likely to be helpful in search of economic development for poor countries. The second was that the culture and social structure of China was a great impediment to its development. It was believed that substantial development in the country would only arise after major and dramatic changes were carried out to the social structure and individual behavior (Overholt. 22). According to Rawski (Para. 8), the 19th century was in the Qing Period of the Canton trade and the balance of payment was in favor of Chinese as the silver flowed into the country. It was at this period that the British discovered a favorable market for opium in China as it shipped opium from India. This new discovery made the silver flow to reverse as outflow of silver increased. The balance of payment was no longer favorable as the trend decreased money supply in the economy. The resultant effect was a downward pressure on general prices of goods and services that led to economic problems. The Qing court wanted to stop the outflow of silver and Commissioner Lin was sent to Canton in the efforts to stop the trade of opium. He confiscated property that belonged to the British traders and destroyed this business. When the traders complained to their government, the British government responded with military pressure which led to the opium war and unequal treaties system. We will write a custom essay sample on Western Countries Influence on China in the 19th Century specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Western Countries Influence on China in the 19th Century specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Western Countries Influence on China in the 19th Century specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The British soldiers easily outgunned the Qing forces as they had superior weapons. The Qing then surrendered in the year 1842 and the treaty of Nanking was signed. It allowed unrestricted European access to Chinese ports and the island of Hong Kong was ceded to Great Britain. During the war, farm areas were destroyed, and millions of lives were lost that made China’s income to fall. Another war that emerged between the British and the Chinese led to grievous losses and British warships obtained unlimited access to all rivers in China provided they were navigable. All official Chinese documents were to be written in English (U.S. Department of State, Para. 10a). The system of unequal treaties had economic impact on China and it also infringed on their political sovereignty. It led to the imposition of a free trade regime that allowed unlimited trade in all goods and services which eventually was obliged to allow foreign investment and foreign trade as well. The fact that China was large and far from the coast, was a reason that the foreign trade was not a large component of the economy. However, with the coming of new technology which involved rail road and telegraph, the Chinese were eager to utilize these opportunities. New commodities were thus adopted and organizational innovations implemented. In 1860s, the Qing dynasty initiated several institutional reforms in order to deal with the problem of modernization (Gibson 59). The Chinese had a vague concept of European countries and it was not until the opium war that they tried to understand the west in form of their ideologies, social and political structures. Technology was thus introduced into the country as much as democracy and capitalism were recognized by the citizens. They realized that by being locked to other countries, they were left ignorant of significant concepts and ideologies from other countries. The need to conquer the west made them interested in understanding the west in form of their economic structures and political structures. It was certain that the defeat in the opium war was due to the better technology; lethal western weapons, and strong ships. It was then that reform was underway in China (Beeching 47). Economic Reforms In the early 19th century, China was completely closed and isolated itself from other countries in the world. Foreign trade was limited in the city of Canton and it was not until the opium war that led to the signing of Nanjing treaty, that China’s ports were opened and western merchants found their way into the Chinese market. The effect on Chinese economy was significant as they had least expected it. The effect of opening up of China did not have just the negative effects but it also had good and positive effects on the economy and social relationships which existed in the people of Qing Dynasty. Among the negative effects that we shall look in details are internal struggles, increase in the rate of crime, economic downfall in the city of Canton and the increase in the economic welfare at the cities of Shanghai and Hong Kong (Chesneaux, Marianne Maie-Claire 7). Chinese local industries were affected by cheaper western machine made products. This created so much pressure on the local industries as they had to adapt and reform in order to compete with the western merchants. The defeat of China in the opium war was enough to convince the Chinese that they were no longer the ‘Heavenly Middle Kingdom’ that they always thought they were. They were thus awakened and exposed to the reality of progress (Gibson 32). Chinese were used to being self reliant as they had a self sufficient domestic trade. This was occasioned to a large extent by the fact that it has an immense home trade. It has a vast land that their internal trade is sufficient to perform commercial operations. In opening up, China was able to compare itself with other nations internationally and thus realized that it was no longer on top of the world. Chinese thus developed a sense of purpose and a desire to improve their economy; it was a period of awakening the giant (Chesneaux, Marianne Maie-Claire 53). Various economic repercussions were obtained after the opening of China. The flourishing of foreign trade was evident as China increased its export from 7.5 million kilograms of tea in 1843 to 42 million kilograms in 1855. The export of silk also increased significantly. The demand of tea and silk led to the expansion of tea and silk producing regions as they greatly benefited from foreign trade. Another economic effect was a monetary crisis which resulted from the increased volumes of trade activities. There was a reduction in the Spanish silver dollar and it appreciated so much that it was abolished and the Mexican dollar introduced. These problems were enhanced by internal monetary crises that were instigated mainly by poor administration. The copper cash that prevailed in China depreciated significantly as a result of inadequate supply of copper. This devastated Chinese financial system and in 1853, the country had to result to paper money (Beeching 67). There was a significant effect on the textile industry. Prior to the Opium War, the Chinese made cloths by hand. This industry was almost eliminated as open system led to the importation of cheaper machine-made cloths and other products. The native textile industries had to adapt by lowering their charges, though this was detrimental to the textile workers. Their wages were reduced as the textile industries looked for ways of reducing their operation costs and led to lowering the living standards of these workers (Beeching 63). The old Chinese self-sufficient economy was changing under pressure. China’s social-economical development was affected by western capitalistic societies. This however did not lead to the formation of capitalistic China but rather made it to a semi-colonial semi-feudal state. The Chinese industries had been exposed to the outside states but at a time when they had not anticipated it. They were thus less prepared and less equipped to compete with these international industries. The opening up of China meant that the people who used to transport goods to Canton (mostly the Hakkas) were left without jobs. The majority of trade shifted from Canton to Shanghai as Shanghai had been opened for foreign trade. The Hakkas were considered to be ethnic minorities by the natives of Canton which led to a competition between the two clans in form of farming and economy. This led to wars between the two clans and as a result, hundred of thousands of lives were lost and the effect was quite significant to the China’s economy. The population which had made the country prosperous was being threatened by this internal wars and struggles (Chung, Para. 4). China was no more affected as a series of natural disasters also stroke the country. The Huang He River had burst its banks and flooded a vast portion of land in the year 1851. In 1855, the river flooded again and the fertile and among the most productive province of Jiangsu was in ruins as farmland was destroyed and loss of lives intensified. The Qing government could not afford to provide adequate aid to the survivors as funds had been drained during the opium war and against the Taipings rebellion. The government was also busy in negotiating for military aid with the European powers. The Qing government also faced contempt from the Nian movement which had just begun. The government was thus placed in a very unstable situation by all these occurrences and frustrations (Chung, Para. 5). According to Chung (Para. 7), the Muslim rebellions that tried to enhance equal rights among the Muslims and the non-Muslims, the Taipings rebellion, and other groups that were opposed to the Qing government failed to strike a solution to the prevailing social and economic crisis, as millions of people died. The much relied agricultural industry was severely affected by these rebellions as the countryside was ruined in these battles and countless people lost their lives. This led the Qing government to increase its dependence on the European Imperial forces and subsequent purchase of modern weapons. These internal conflicts made it hard for the Qing government to concentrate its military powers and it thus lost external wars: the Second Opium War (1856-1860) and Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895). The effect was an occupation of Beijing by an international force and the agreement of the Boxer Protocol (1901) which was done under humiliating terms. The government was to indemnify the European powers for the losses that they had suffered. The Qing court resisted reforms and revolutionaries and reformers advocated for overthrow of the Qing dynasty in order to form a republic. The Qing government was eventually weakened by the numerous rebellions as they tried to pursue economic stability as the economic crisis had worsened by the end of 19th century to a national status (Chung, Para. 10). The Rise of China’s Economy The growth and the sudden rise of China is one of the greatest economic successes in the world. With economic reforms in China which started in the year 1979, to 2008 China’s economy is believed to have grown 14-fold in real terms. This has led to the raising of hundreds of millions of people out of extreme poverty. On per capita basis, China is relatively poor though it is currently the world’s second largest economy. This has led to increase in economic ties between China and the U.S. China is still marked with low-cost labor and as such, most U.S. companies operate in China so as to benefit from the vast and booming Chinese Market and low cost of operations as a result of taking advantage of the low cost labor in their export-oriented manufacturing (Rawski, Para. 7). The basic improvements seem to have originated from four modernization strategies in Agriculture, industry, science and technology, and National Defense. This meant that rural electrification had to be initiated, a total industrial automation, a focus on a new outlook of the economy, and an enhanced national security and strength on defense. Mechanization in agriculture and subsequent use of irrigation, led to the modification of the industry so as to enhance production, better farming methods were also encouraged (Rawski, Para. 9). The Chinese social and cultural structure had been thought that it was a major constraint to economic growth and development. The rapid improvement in economic conditions of the Chinese is a clear indication that the social and cultural structures might be conducive to growth. There are certain elements of Chinese culture that generate an enterprising spirit which is not found in most cultures in poor countries. One would pose to wonder why this enterprising spirit didn’t have major effects in the 19th century as it had after the minor reforms in 1978 which initiated explosive growth. China used improvements in the heavy industry and infrastructure. Development of modern highways, and compounding of Petrochemical, steel and other industries ensured that the economic capacity of the nation was improved. This rapid growth was also initiated by the use of cheap labor which was used extensively in manufacture and subsequent export of low-end products (Overholt 23). The Implications The opening up of China and the subsequent catastrophic occurrences had negative impacts on the economic well being of China. The Western countries undermined China’s self sufficient economy, the rural homestead industries were as much adversely affected as the development that occurred in the urban market economy. On the other hand, it opened the nation to compare its progress with other nations as well. Technology was imported from the western countries and all this worked to enable the nation develop unbiased opinions on the working of international economies. The Chinese government established commercial and modern enterprises as a result of stimulation from the western capitalism. Many of the established enterprises went bankrupt as a result of poor administration, but the established modern industries thrived which enhanced the social-economic development of China. The modern industries stimulated the growth of Chinese capitalism and formed a basis which has marked a tre mendous improvement of the Chinese economy (Chesneaux, Marianne Maie-Claire 48). It is a wonder that a nation that could barely feed its citizens is an industrial giant with the leading capacity in steel production, aluminum, cement and coal. The U.S. had been the world’s leading auto market but in January 2009, China had turned the tables. It had also been named the top producer of merchant ships in the year 2007. It is clear that the western influence had negative impacts to China at first but today China has all to gain. The exposure to the western markets at such a critical time gave the nation a clear understanding of improved technology and the workings of international markets and economies. China thus used its capacities and its capabilities so as enable it obtain control in this international market. When we compare China to North Korea, a country that was free from western influence, then we can confidently say that Western Influence was what was needed to awaken the sleeping giant in China (Overholt 29). According to the U.S. Department of State (Para. 20b), in the Mid-19th century, the western countries focused the capitalist diplomacy on Korea. The policy which was adopted by the Leaders made the region to be termed as Hermit Kingdom. Korea remained independent until late 19th century when China wanted to block the influence Japan had on Korean Peninsula and the pressure by the Russians. This led to the afore-mentioned Sino-Japanese war in which Japan emerged victorious. Korea was thus annexed as part of the Japan Empire which had strong colonial administration and control and it was not until the end of World War II in 1945 that Japan surrendered. This led to the division of Korea, where the United States administered the southern part and the U.S.S.R. took over the northern side. North Korea attacked South Korea in 1950 and the United Nations sent troops to support South Korea. China Supported North Korea until an armistice agreement was signed in 1953. North Korea is governed by a centralized government under the Communist Korean Worker’s Party (KWP). Minor parties do exist but under limited power and scope of authority. It has a record of wide violations of human rights as the government has total control on all issues in the state. The media is controlled by the government that it is not a wonder that ‘North Korea was ranked second to last on the World Press Freedom Index’ (U.S. Department of State, Para. 23b). North Korea spends quite a substantial proportion of its income on military, but the nation has not yet become self-sufficient in food production. Technological links were disrupted and affected with the collapse of communism in the former Soviet Union in 1989. The GDP of the nation has stagnated for quite a while and it is far much below China in economic development and in the living standards of its nationals (U.S. Department of State, Para. 18b). Conclusion The Chinese people were against the opening of China by the Opium War, but the control of China and influence by the Western countries made China a semi-feudal semi-colonial state. It was not until then that technology found its way into China and the Chinese were quick to use it to their advantaged. The shameful defeat in the Opium War made the Chinese vow to strengthen their country in order to prevent a repeat of the same. This has inspired the nation to the current situation of growth and influence in the world. In fact China is very reluctant to succumb to international pressure as it is on its way to gain the title the world’s economic giant. Works Cited Beeching, J. The Chinese Opium Wars. London: Hutchinson Co (Publishers) Ltd, 1975. A well detailed book about China and free trade. It has vital information regarding the growth of the opium trade and consequential Opium Wars between China and the West. It is recommended in understanding the Chinese history and the relation with the West. Chesneaux Jean, Bastid Marianne, and Bergere Maie-Claire. China from the Opium Wars to the 1911 Revolution, New York: Patheon, 1976. The authors of this book concentrates on changes that were prevalent in China in the 19th-century up to the 20th- century. The book narrates major events that took place in china, which includes the rebellions and movements which were introduced. It is a rich source to explain the emergence of an indigenous capitalist class in China. Chung, Rabin, Economic Factors in Chinese Rebellions of the 19th Century. November 2005, 20 May 2010. http://www.zum.de/whkmla/sp/0708/habin/habin3.html. This is an electronic academic source presented in a history class in Korean Minjok Leadership Academy. It has a good history overview of the rebellions and various strains that China underwent. It also gives the economic effects of these rebellions. Gibson, Michael, China Opium Wars to Revolution. London: Wayland Publishers, 1975. This is a 96 pages book that gives China’s history. It shows a traditional China and China in revolution. The writer narrates events that led to Opium Wars, repercussions and effects after the Opium wars. Overholt, W. H., â€Å"China in the Global Financial Crisis: Rising Influence, Rising Challenges.† The Washington Quarterly 33.1 (January 2010): 21-34. It is an article which featured in the journal of international affairs: Washington Quarterly. The author of this article writes about the financial crisis, challenges and influence that the crisis had on China and its outer relations. He concentrates on changes that have been witnessed in China, and how the changes enabled the country deal with the global financial challenges. Rawski, T. Economic Influence in China’s Relations with the West. 2 March 2008. 19 May 2010. http://www.fpri.org/footnotes/1309.200808.rawski.economicinfluencechinawest.html. This is a rich article from an online journal, where the author of the article, clearly and distinctly gives the economic history of China. The reader obtains substantial information regarding the same since the Ming Period to the current reform era. U.S. Department of State, Background Note: China. 30 October 2009. 19 May 2010. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/18902.htm. The U.S Department of State in this article features the people of China, history, government, political conditions, economy, defense, foreign relations and background notes about China. U.S. Department of State, Official Name: Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. 9 March 2010. 19 May 2010. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2792.htm. This article gives the history, government, political, economic, defense, foreign relations, business and other background notes of North Korea. It is a sufficient source to give an outline of North Korea’s Economic conditions.