For thousands of years, Asia dominated the world in technology and thought. Throughout these years, millions of people have followed the teachings of the Vedic religion, Buddhist thought or Confucian philosophy. These societies consolidated their power during the first centuries of the anno domini and even boasted self-sufficient power until the 15th century. In the West, however, there developed nations with a different heritage of thought that quickly infiltrated the Eastern world. Although their influence seemed minor in such a developed world, in the 20th century, Western political relations and philosophy became an integral part of Asian reality. In the writings of two influential thinkers of modern Asia, Mao Zedong and Mahatma Gandhi, the existence of Western thought is clear. A specific Western philosophy helped define and deepen the beliefs of Mao and Gandhi. Such sensitivity to these schools of thought can be found deeply rooted in the history of China and India. Qing China was a place of success and dynamic power. From 1644, the dynasty began like others, under foreign control. But non-Chinese rule did not prevent the country's success. The Qing emperors quickly began to expand their territory. During Qianlong's reign, just a hundred years after Qing rule, China had the largest land area and largest surplus the country had ever seen. Their tax system was so efficient that sometimes taxes were waived throughout the kingdom due to surplus goods. Soon, China experienced massive population growth. In 1600, forty-four years before Qing control, China had a population of 160 million. In 1700, the population remained at 160, but within 50 years it reached 225 million. Even in the face of a massive population increase... middle of paper ...... hand of the Chinese model, capitalism and imperialism and switched to communism. Gandhi experienced the diversity of his country, but hated the influence of civilization so prevalent in Western belief. Asia, by meeting the West, was shaped by it. Mao and Gandhi prove it. Their stories continue, India would be freed from British control and Moa would implement his communist hopes. The successes and failures of these events are still debated today, but it is clear that the East did not become the West and the West did not become the East, but that they rather both were modified, the effect of this new world being yet to be discovered today.BibliographyCheek, Timothée, trans. Mao Zedong and the Chinese Revolutions: A Brief History with Documents. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2002. Gandhi, Mahatma. Hind Swaraj. http://www.mkgandhi.org/swarajya/coverpage.htm (accessed March 24, 2014).