The history of China over the last century and a half is engulfed with a large range of paradoxical experiences that vary from national disgrace to total chaos as also from disgrace to moments of excitement and big achievements. It is truly said that the present successes of China are, in fact, a result of the historical hurdles and emotional wounds that have had to triumph over the decades. The ordeal of Chinas century of humiliation stretched from the middle of the 19th century till 1949, which was greatly increased by the disorientation from the glories of its past. For over a thousand years, the Chinese civilization was at the zenith of socio-cultural and economic dominance and prosperity, and its eminence was unchallenged in the world. Chinese were the forerunners in transferring technology for products such as paper, porcelain, silk, cast iron, the compass, and gunpowder. China had become superior in
view of its abilities in assimilating foreign invaders who tried to disturb its political stability during the 1000 years of its prosperity but had ended up being absorbed into Chinese culture and way of life. The Chinese were able to do this in view of their ability to run a meritorious bureaucracy, respect for education, secular social set up and high standard of aesthetics. It was for this reason that China was widely respected by surrounding chieftains and potential invaders. In due course, with the evolvement of a mercantile class during this period in Europe, which was an offshoot of the Renaissance, the Europeans began to relish the technological advancements of the East Orient and the benefits of the number system and algebra techniques that were transferred from India via the Arabs, and this initiated a period when the Chinese began to face a reduction on the influence that they had in the world.