China and the Founding of the United States: The Influence of Traditional Chinese Civilization

Description

This book discusses examples of how the U.S. Founding Fathers were influenced and inspired by Chinese agriculture, architecture, and philosophy. China, then one of the most stable and powerful civilizations in the world, offered unique perspectives on various aspects of society which were distinct from the Founding Fathers’ European heritage. China provided an alternative set of social and political frameworks which supported the Founding Fathers’ efforts to craft a unique heritage for their young nation. These Founders sought to establish a political identity that was distinct from European aristocratic traditions. China and the Founding of the United States Contents List of Figures List of Tables Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction 1 Ideas from the East: The Founders Used Chinese Wisdom to Build a Flourishing Society 2 Technologies from the East: How the Founders Leveraged Chinese Technologies in the North American Colonies 3 Plants from the East: The Founders’ Efforts to Transplant Chinese Plants to North America 4 The Influence of Chinese Material Culture on Early U.S. History 5 Trade with the East: The Founders’ Efforts to Open China Trade 6 Confucianism in the Making of U.S. Democracy 7 The Founders’ Legacy Epilogue Bibliography Index About the Author