The advancements of ancient China have had one of the largest impacts on the world. One of these advancements still used constantly throughout the world today is gunpowder. In ancient China, an alchemist was a man whom spent his life trying to discover the secret of immortality through experimentations involving the elements (Echoes from the Past 355). It was during one of such experiments that Sun Si Miao, a renowned alchemist, stumbled upon gunpowder (Echoes from the Past 356). The newly discovered gunpowder was first applied to scaring off wild animals (Echoes from the Past 356).
China is a civilization that is the longest enduring since around 3,500 B.C.E. They had many important inventions that still exist and are in use today. Gunpowder is probably the most well-known. The Chinese used gunpowder in grenades and bombs that they would place at their enemies’ gates. Anytime a soldier or hunter shoots a gun, he or she is using technology developed by the ancient Chinese.
Paper was invented during the Han Dynasty. Other contributions of the ancient Chinese are pasta, wheelbarrow, alcohol, kites, hang gliders and silk. Of all on the contributions from the ancient Chinese gunpowder, paper, compass and printing are the most innovative. The discovery of gunpowder by the ancient Chinese was purely accidental in the 9th century. Rather, the Chinese alchemists were searching for an elixir of life.
By far the greatest leaps forward were made in Europe. It is a little ironic that the Europeans, who had lagged behind in the discovery of gunpowder, became the clear leaders in the development and use of firearms, outstripping both the Chinese and the Arabs. From the onset of the gunpowder revolution, Europe opened up a sizeable lead in matters of weapon technology and this lead was never allowed to dwindle, instead it only increased with the passage of time. The reasons why Europe was greatly affected by the gunpowder revolution are obvious when one considers the superiority of firearms over the weapons that were in use before the advent of gunpowder. The more plausible question might be as to why the Chinese and the Arabs did not react with the same enthusiasm as the Europeans to the arrival of the new technology.
The Mesopotamians were the first to use chariots in war, in 2400 BC. The chariot diffused fast to other human societies all over the world, mainly because it had become an efficient military weapon (Publins, 2013). The Hittites, for instance, relied on it to establish their first Kingdom in 1700 BC. By 1300 BC, the chariot had already penetrated into China from the Northwest. Since the kingdoms and societies using this vehicle in war were found to be superior based on the size of their chariots, it became a master weapon and spread all over the world within a short time.
This ignited a century of technological advancements in the military that has enabled the United States to excel in militaristic domination. The first war to use significant technological advancement was World War I. Despite the introduction of trench warfare (in which troops dug bases many feet deep into the ground and fought only on the surface), the art of battle would forever be changed. There were many different types of weaponry advancements experienced in World War I. Machine guns were built twice more powerful than in the Civil War, firing up to 600 bullets a minute which was the equivalent of 250 riflemen.
However, throughout the years the mechanics of how fireworks are made slightly became more advanced. Now, they are composed of oxidizers, fuel, reducing agents, colouring agents, and binders, all the components that are responsible for creating the vivid display of colours in the night sky. In the future, it is more beneficial that chemists and pyrotechnicians find a way to reduce the risks and dangers related to fireworks so people can enjoy the thrill and excitement without the associated hazards. The history of fireworks goes back thousands of years to China during the Han dynasty (200 B.C. ), even long before gun powder was invented.
Ancient Chinese Contributions China has been the source for many ancient Chinese contributions and inventions. Some of the contributions have been invaluable to society over the years and continue to shape the modern world. It is estimated that half of all basic inventions originally came from China (Gail, 2002). Identification of some of the most useful contributions of the ancient Chinese will be provided. Furthermore, explanation of why four ancient Chinese inventions are believed to be the most ingenious and innovative will be discussed, and one invention will be identified as the one that I could not live without.
Ancient Chinese Contributions Ancient Chinese contributions are numerous and many are particularly ingenious. They have greatly molded life in this century. Without the ancient Chinese invention- the ship’s rudder, where would ship building be today? Or sea trade and transport? Other inventions have also contributed greatly to what the world is today.
Imperialism became a huge component of China’s history, from 1839 to 1935. China responded to it through various rebellions and wars, reform and modernization, and by developing a united front. Numerous rebellions and wars came as a result of imperialism in China. The first war event that took place was the Opium War. Early in the nineteenth century, the British had gained great influence and rule over China, for it was more modernized and developed, and consequently had more power.