? Since15th century, the development of human society has entered a new stage. The originally divided world has truly become a whole, and countries that are separated from each other in the world have begun to know and understand each other and compete with each other. On the world stage since modern times, nine countries-Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Russia and the United States-have become the protagonists of the world in different historical periods, which have had a great impact on the development of human society. The book "The Rise of Great Powers" tells the development process of the above nine representative major countries in the world, focusing on their historical stages of "rise", tracing their footprints as world powers, exploring the main reasons for their "rise", and looking for the fundamental force to promote national development and the civilized achievements and spiritual wealth created by all mankind.
Second, the purpose of writing this book
Why do one country after another suddenly prosper and become invincible hegemons? Why can great powers in history only maintain hegemony for about a century? What are the laws and characteristics, and what lessons and experiences should China learn from them? How to learn from the rise and fall of great powers in history and how to adapt to the world development trend? Starting from this purpose, the author Jin Tang tries to sum up the personality characteristics and basic laws of the rise of great powers from the height of the development of human civilization, with a historical and global perspective, and explore the strategic choice of China's development under the new situation, thus contributing to the grand goal of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Three. Key points:
The rise and fall of Britain
Britain, facing the European continent across the sea, won a great victory in the naval battle with the Spanish Armada in 1588 and gradually entered the world stage. Queen Elizabeth I's encouragement of ocean exploration and trade, enlightened attitude towards governing the country and compromise means to deal with social contradictions have brought this marginal island country an early glory. However, Charles I experienced four years of civil war. Finally, Britain gradually established a constitutional monarchy through the glorious revolution and completed the transformation to a modern society. The relatively tolerant social environment has prepared for the arrival of the industrial revolution. At the same time, it also made this island country step by step to the center of the world stage. With the British colonial expansion and the maturity of overseas markets, the demand for goods is increasing. The promulgation of the patent law made the British people keen on invention, production and trade. British industrialization began at an alarming rate; They promote free trade and expand the global market. From the middle and late19th century, the colonies became the burden of the British Empire, and the disadvantages of the free market economy gradually emerged, and Britain's development began to slow down, eventually losing its position as the world hegemon.
(2) Germany in the cracks
When European countries have established nation-States, a piece of land in the middle of the European continent has been in a state of disintegration. The development of Germany has a vague tragic color from the beginning, and Germans with painful memories of division call for a unified country ideologically. Through unremitting efforts, Friedrich List, an economist, realized the method of political unification through economic unification, the establishment of customs union broke the trade barrier, and the German economy developed rapidly.
Bismarck, on the other hand, survived in the cracks of European powers, and after making full preparations in diplomacy, he finally completed the great cause of German reunification with three foreign wars:
A. 1864 war against Denmark at the beginning of the year. Incorporate the Danish Principality of Schleswig-Holstein (mostly Germans) into Germany.
B. 1866 "Puao War". 1On July 3, 866, Prussia won a decisive victory in the battle of Savado. According to the Prague Peace Treaty of August 1866, Austria withdrew from the German Federation, and Prussia annexed Holstein and several German federal vassals that stood in Austria during the war, unified northern and central Germany, and established the North German Federation under the leadership of Prussia.
? C. 1870 Franco-Prussian War.
? 1September 870 17, instigated by Bismarck, France declared war on Germany. Charles Louis Napolé on Bonaparte boasted that it was just a "military walk to Berlin". But what he met was not Prussia in the past, but a relatively strong German nation that resolutely opposed separatism. 1On September 2, 870, the Germans won a decisive victory over France in the Battle of Sedang and captured Charles Louis Napolé on Bonaparte alive. At this point, the obstacles to Yugoslavia's reunification have been removed, and the task of German national war has been completed. Bismarck took his troops straight to Paris. 187 1 year 1 month 18 declared the unification of Germany and established the German Empire at Versailles. Bismarck also served as the Prime Minister of the German Empire. ) Germany was unified in 187 1 year. He followed the principle of balance among European powers and brought valuable space for the peaceful development of Germany.
? Germany, which has always attached great importance to education and science and technology, quickly stood at the forefront of the second industrial revolution, surpassing Britain in more than 30 years and becoming the second largest economic power in Europe and even the world. However, Germany soon became the source of two world wars. After World War II, Germany split again. Through deep reflection on the war, Germany finally achieved national reunification in a peaceful way.
(3) Japan, a powerful country in the East
150 years ago, Japan, an island country that had been closed to the outside world for a long time, chose to build a country without fighting under the coercion of four black ships in the United States. External pressure has become the driving force of internal change in the country. Meiji Restoration officially began in 1868 and 15 after the arrival of the Black Ship. Under the guidance of the reform program of "learning from the world", Japan sent Iwakura envoys composed of senior government officials to visit European and American countries. Learning from western advanced systems, the country began to industrialize: Jiu Baomin took advantage of the situation, promoted industrialization and civilization, opened a large number of government-run factories, and vigorously supported private enterprises. As soon as Kubojun was killed, Ito Bowen succeeded to the throne. Ito Bowen complied with the call of the domestic freedom and civil rights movement and formulated the first constitution of Japan to consolidate the reform achievements. But at the same time, the emperor system written into the constitution of the Great Japanese Empire buried the hidden danger of the rise of Japanese militarism. In order to realize the goal of "enriching Qiang Bing" as soon as possible and catch up with western countries at the fastest speed, Japan embarked on the road of militarism and accelerated the pace of foreign expansion. However, in August of 1945, the US military dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, ending the dream of Japanese militarism. After World War II, Japan left the foundation for a century of development from the Meiji Restoration, which was a foundation for Japan's post-war economic take-off. Based on the peace constitution and supported by the United States, the economy has developed rapidly.
Four. Feeling:
By reading the book "The Rise of Great Powers", I have a general understanding of the development process of these nine countries, and I have gained a lot of thinking from the rise to the decline. A country and a nation must have the spirit of self-improvement in order to stand on their own feet. China needs to learn from other countries in many places. You can make strategic choices from the following aspects:
(1) Adhere to the socialist market economy and promote institutional innovation. Portugal and Spain are the initiators of market economy, Britain and France are the founders of free market economy, and the United States is the founder of regulating economy with the invisible hand of market economy and the tangible hand of government intervention. Facts have proved that in today's economic globalization, in order to run the economy smoothly, we must adhere to the combination of market and macro-control and adhere to the socialist market economy. China must change the mode of economic development, speed up scientific and technological research and development, promote the rational development of industrial structure, adhere to and improve the basic economic system and distribution system, speed up the change of foreign trade mode, and implement a mutually beneficial and win-win opening strategy to adapt to the development trend of economic globalization.
(2) Seize development opportunities and enhance national strength. The rise of great powers seized the historical opportunity of scientific and technological revolution and industrial revolution. Britain seized the symbol of the first industrial revolution marked by the steam engine and became the world hegemon; The United state led that second industrial revolution marked by electricity. Therefore, the rise of China must be good at seizing development opportunities. In the third industrial revolution marked by information technology, we should effectively promote the development of tertiary industry and high technology, enhance China's comprehensive national strength, improve China's international competitiveness, actively develop science and technology, and promote educational and cultural undertakings. China must vigorously develop education, cultivate high-quality talents, and conscientiously implement the strategy of rejuvenating the country through science and education and the strategy of strengthening the country through talents.
(3) Carry forward the new socialist fashion, cultivate national spirit and promote ideological emancipation. The rise of great powers has experienced the historical process of ideological emancipation, which is the forerunner of ideological emancipation. The rise of Britain experienced the early Protestant movement, which laid the ideological foundation for the development of commercial capitalism. Under the Enlightenment, the Great Revolution broke out in France, which promoted the development of capitalism. The Japanese people have bushido spirit and strong national cohesion. During the Meiji Restoration, under the leadership of Pauli Tong and Takashi Muhu for too long, the achievements of human civilization were absorbed and used for reference, and the national spirit and comprehensive national strength were continuously enhanced. China must consolidate the ruling position of Marxism, establish the ideal of "social subjectivity", carry forward the value system with patriotism as the core, vigorously develop socialist spiritual civilization, carry out colorful cultural activities, and strive to improve people's happiness, enhance national cohesion and enhance national competitiveness.
(4) to achieve peaceful rise. Germany launched two world wars, which seriously undermined world peace and hindered social development, and cannot be forgiven by history. Therefore, China must adhere to an independent foreign policy of peace, extensively carry out foreign competition and cooperation, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and adhere to the open strategy of mutual benefit and win-win. Maintain world peace, promote common development, and show the image of China as a responsible big country.
Verb (short for verb) action
The rise of great powers in history depends on plundering colonies and fighting for hegemony by force, breaking and rebuilding the world pattern depends on war, and so on. Similarly, history has repeatedly proved that there is no eternal hegemonic country, and the rise and fall of great powers is an inevitable historical law. I don't know how to maintain my hegemony in the world, so I want to continue reading related books-World Economic Hegemony 1500- 1990, and watch the documentary "The Rise of Great Powers" for a deeper understanding.