World History
JKJKJJK
DecolonizationinChina2022.pptxI. China in Early 20th Century
Elements of Traditional Society: ruled by aristocrats (mandarins), landed elite, emperor
Large impoverished peasant population
Weak, victimized by Western imperialism
Besieged by Christian missionaries
Sparks patriotic backlash against foreigners, Christians, and imperial government: Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901)
Suppressed by Western armies; prop up imperial government
Young, educated nationalists emerge within army
II. Sun Yat Sen and Chinese Nationalism
Sun Yat Sen (1866-1925) born into peasantry; educated in Hawaii and Hong Kong; dedicated to revolution
Establish liberal republic
Early 20th century; develops secret society; young army officers gravitate to Sun
October 1911: revolt in southern China, establish Nanking as revolutionary capital; Sun Yat Sen elected President
But in north, General Yuan Shikai seizes power
Military regime or liberal republic?
Sun Yat Sen resigns, Yuan Shikai agrees to support new republic as President; assumes position in 1912
Warlords, landed elite raise their own armies
The Interwar Period
Overall, a period of chaos and uncertainty
1916: Yuan Shikai dies
Sun Yat Sen establishes Nationalist Party; maintains loyalty of nationalists dedicated to republic
1920s: riots, chaos, massacres
1921: Chinese Communist Party forms, led by Mao Zedong
Committed to Marxist principles; “True party of the people”
1920s-1930s: Nationalists, now led by Chiang Kai-shek war with Communists
1931: Japanese seize Manchuria
1937: full scale invasion by Japanese; Nationalists and Communists confront foreign invaders
III. Chinese Civil War (1937-1949)
Three way struggle between Nationalists, Communists, and Japanese for control of China
By 1945, Nationalists lose popular support due to collaboration with Japanese and growing hatred toward land owners
Communist promise land reform and redistribution
1949: Mao Zedong proclaims People’s Republic of China
Chiang Kai-shek flees to Taiwan, forms Nationalist Chinese government; receives U.S. recognition and support
Chinese Revolution: 1900-1945
Traditional Society beset by foreign imperialism, growing middle class, peasant poverty
Liberals and radicals attack these problems; war with each other
Exclusion/Inclusion: Nationalism driven by antagonism toward outsiders but employing outside concepts
IV. The New Regime
China in 1949-53: mixed economy, large landless peasant class
Two plans: “experts” and “reds”
“Experts”: centralized command, moderation in reforms, pragmatism, emphasis on expertise
“Reds”: ideological purity, class struggle, idealism and enthusiasm for equality
“Experts” wield control 1953-1957: use bureaucracy; Soviet-style 5 year plans; heavy industry and small, communal farms
Reds wield control: 1958-1962: “Great Leap Forward”; decentralize industry, huge agrarian communities
Reds’ efforts a huge failure: massive famine and no industrial growth
Back to the “experts” in 1962
“The Cultural Revolution” 1965-1974
Initiated by Mao Zedong in 1965 against “experts”
Campaign against capitalism, bureaucracy, and hierarchy in Chinese state; consolidate control of Mao
Employ Red Guard against enemies of state
Purge China of its traditions in culture, religion, art
War against foreign pollution of revolutionary ethic
Created a Cult of Mao
“Little Red Book”
1970-1974: winds down due to economic collapse
Restores “experts”
1976: Mao dies; Deng Xiaoping takes power; arrests “Reds” and radicals
V. The Contemporary Era
Since 1972, relations with United States
Since 1980, China led by “experts”
Pragmatic, economic policy
Permit some capitalism, private ownership of land, invite foreign investment
But…one-party rule, no democracy, repression against dissidents and suppression of civil liberties
Economic reform but not political reform
