Genesis Chapter 20: Rereading the 20th Century (The Great Re-read Series)

Author: Zhou Shifeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: Looking back at the 20th century, one realizes how great a milestone it was. Despite numerous difficulties and problems threatening human survival and influencing human lifestyles, the future goal remains consistent: coexistence and mutual prosperity! The 20th century was a century of dramatic and profound transformations in human society, as well as a century of great achievements in human development. At the beginning of the 20th century, Europe and the United States fell into a frenzy of global expansion and division. The first half of the century was essentially a grueling struggle of aggression, division, anti-aggression, and anti-division. This prolonged struggle gradually intensified and evolved into a series of world wars, which were a huge disaster for human society, as war destroyed homes, deprived lives, and caused the most devastating catastrophe in human history. Yet, it was also war that eventually collapsed the old international system, enabling oppressed and invaded nations and peoples to rise up and fight back strongly, ultimately achieving victory in national revolutions. As a result, the original international landscape evolved from pre-war colonial powers to post-war bipolar confrontation, and then gradually shifted toward a multi-polar development framework. This was a brand-new, diversified international structure. In the 20th century, the greatest achievements were built on the wave of technological revolutions. From the early 20th century's theories of relativity and quantum mechanics to the emergence of atomic energy, electronic computers, and space technology, and later the widespread use of nuclear energy, the rise of the internet, and the development of laser technology, which repeatedly sparked new heights in the technological revolution—this was the magnificent fireworks of the technological age! Looking back at the 20th century, one realizes how great a milestone it was. Despite numerous difficulties and problems threatening human survival and influencing human lifestyles, the future goal remains consistent: coexistence and mutual prosperity! The greatest strides in human development were taken in the 20th century. Future paths may be arduous, but when we look back, seeing the footprints left by the 20th century, we will smile with satisfaction.