"Soulstealers: The Chinese Sorcery Scare of 1768," by the late Philip A. Kuhn, tells of a hoax gone wrong in the spring of 1768. The Qianlong emperor, believing that rumors of witchcraft were an existential threat to his rule, ordered his bureaucrats to root out sorcerers using any means possible. Much torture and death ensued.
In China, Matteo Ricci is known for his efforts in promoting mutual understanding. Sadly, his arrival to Macau was the result of the most shameful aspect of Europe's global trade: slavery.
The Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming Dynasty, came to power amid violence. His reign was yet fragile in 1372 when he was gifted two conjoined melons as a symbol of Heaven's blessing. But much suffering would befall those around him.
The Battle of the Talas River is often presented as a major watershed in world history, the “high water mark” of Chinese power. On either the fourth or fifth day of the fight, the battle turned — on treachery and betrayal.
"Sun and moon have no light left, earth is dark; / Our women's world is sunk so deep, who can help us? / ... Unbinding my feet I clean out a thousand years of poison, / With heated heart arouse all women's spirits."
In 1971, amid growing threats from the Soviet Union, both the U.S. and the People's Republic of China were interested in a strategic alliance. But before any public gestures could be made, both sides had to make sure, privately, the other was receptive.
Twenty-three years ago, Hong Kong was handed over from Great Britain to China. "We shall not forget you," said Charles, Prince of Wales. "From now on, the Hong Kong compatriots will truly become masters here," said Chinese president Jiang Zemin. What has become of those promises today?
While the reformers themselves all ended up exiled, in prison, or dead, many of their policies were eventually taken up by the very person who crushed them.
This Week in China’s History is a recurring column on The China Project: Each week, James Carter, Professor of History at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, will look back to one event from China’s past. Last week: The Time Jesus’s Younger Brother Led A Revolution In China.