china and Japan 1870-1945

What were the primary reasons for the collapse of the Qing Dynasty in 1911?

The Qing Dynasty's collapse was primarily due to a combination of internal and external pressures, including corruption and inefficiency within the government, widespread famine and social unrest, the impact of Western imperialism and unequal treaties, and the rise of revolutionary movements advocating for a modern republic, culminating in the Wuchang Uprising.

who was PuYi and why was he important?

he was the last emperor of China and was forced to abdicate by Yan Shi-Kai after the fall of the last dynasty. He was later uses as a puppet emperor later in Manchuria and sided with the Japanese. 

what was the boxer rebellion?(1899-1900)

The Boxer Rebellion (1899-1900) was an anti-foreign, anti-colonial, and anti-Christian uprising in China by the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, known as "Boxers."

They opposed foreign influence and attacked foreign engineers, missionaries, and their converts.

The rebellion was ultimately suppressed by an Eight-Nation Alliance, leading to significant indemnity payments and further weakening of the Qing Dynasty.

who was Yuan Shi-Kai and why was he important? 

he was a powerful Chinese general and politician during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China. He played a crucial role in the abdication of the last Qing emperor, PuYi, and the establishment of the Republic.

He later became the first formal President of the Republic of China and is most known for his attempt to proclaim himself emperor, an ambition that was met with widespread opposition and ultimately failed, leading to his downfall and setting the stage for the Warlord Era.

who was Chiang Kai-Shek and why was he well known?

Chiang Kai-shek was a prominent political and military leader who served as the leader of the KMT.

He is most known for leading the Northern Expedition to unify China, his long-standing rivalry with the Chinese Communist Party during the Chinese Civil War, and leading China during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

After the KMT's defeat by the Communists in 1949, he withdrew to Taiwan where he continued to serve as the President of the Republic of China until his death.

who was Sun Yan-Sen and why was he a significant leader

Sun Yat-sen was a Chinese physician, writer, philosopher, and revolutionary who played a pivotal role in overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and establishing the Republic of China.

He is widely regarded as the "Father of the Nation" in modern China for his leadership in the Xinhai Revolution and his development of the Three Principles of the People (Nationalism, Democracy, and the People's Livelihood), which guided the Kuomintang (KMT) and influenced Chinese political thought.

what was the Xinhai revolution?

The Xinhai Revolution (1911-1912) was a republican revolution that overthrew China's last imperial dynasty, the Qing Dynasty, and established the Provisional Republic of China. The revolution began with the Wuchang Uprising and quickly spread, leading to the abdication of Emperor Puyi.

what was the long march? (1934-1935)

The Long March was a military retreat undertaken by the Red Army of the CCP to evade the pursuit of the KMT army during the Chinese Civil War.

It was a series of gruelling treks by various CCP forces, but the most well-known was the march by the First Red Army, which covered over 9,000 kilometres over 1 year.

It was important because it preserved the Communist forces from annihilation, cemented Mao Zedong's leadership within the party.

what was the northern expedition?(1926-1928)

The Northern Expedition was a military campaign launched by the KMT under Chiang.

Its primary goal was to unify China by defeating various regional warlords and imperialist forces that controlled different parts of the country after the collapse of the Qing Dynasty.

The expedition largely succeeded in unifying China under KMT rule, ending the Warlord Era, and establishing the Nationalist government in Nanjing.

what was the May 4th movement?

The May 4th Movement (1919) was an anti-imperialist, cultural, and political movement that erupted in China.

It began with student protests in Beijing against the Chinese government's weak response to the Treaty of Versailles, which allowed Japan to retain German concessions in Shandong.

It was a milestone because it marked a shift in Chinese nationalism towards a more radical, anti-imperialist, and anti-traditional stance. 

what was the first united front and why was it important?

The First United Front (1923-1927) was an alliance between the (KMT) and the(CCP). 

it was formed with the support of the Soviet Union to combat warlordism and unify China under a single government.

It was important because it allowed both parties to expand their influence and military strength, leading to the successful Northern Expedition.

However, it ultimately collapsed due to ideological differences and power struggles, setting the stage for the Chinese Civil War.

what was the second untied front and why was it significant?

he Second United Front (1937-1946) was an alliance between the KMT and the CCP formed in response to the growing threat of Japanese aggression and the full-scale invasion of China in 1937.

it brought a temporary halt to the Chinese Civil War between the two  allowing for a unified resistance against the Japanese during the Second Sino-Japanese War

who was Mao and why was he important?

Mao Zedong was a Chinese communist revolutionary who became the founding father and chairman of the CPC from 1949 -1976.

he accomplished the following:

1. Led the CCP to victory in the Chinese Civil War: His strategic military leadership, notably during the Long March, cemented his authority and preserved the Communist forces from annihilation against the KMT.

2. Established the People's Republic of China: On October 1, 1949, he proclaimed the establishment of the PRC, marking a new era in Chinese history.

3. Ideological Architect: He adapted Marxism-Leninism to the Chinese context, emphasising the revolutionary potential of the peasantry, which became the guiding principle for the CCP.