Society in the Qing Dynasty and Modern China

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on Chinese society from the Qing Dynasty to modern times.

Confucianism

A philosophical system founded by Confucius emphasizing social harmony and respect for authority.

Manchu culture

Cultural practices and policies of the Manchu rulers, including requiring specific hairstyles and clothing.

Foot-binding

A traditional Chinese practice involving tightly binding women's feet to alter their shape, symbolizing beauty and status.

Self-Strengthening Movement

A late 19th century effort to modernize China and strengthen its military and economy.

Boxer Rebellion

An anti-foreign uprising in China from 1899 to 1901, fueled by resentment against foreign influence.

Patriotic Church

A church allowed to operate under the condition that it supported the Chinese state, while adhering to state control.

Cultural Revolution

A socio-political movement initiated in 1966 aiming to enforce communism by removing capitalist and traditional elements from society.

May 4th Movement

A 1919 protest against foreign influence and for modernization and nationalism in China.

Iron rice bowl

A state-provided guarantee of job security, basic living and welfare in Communist China.

Collectivization

The process of organizing agriculture and industry into collectives, often implemented during the Great Leap Forward.

Marxism

A socioeconomic theory advocating for class struggle and the end of capitalist societies, influencing Communist ideologies.

Urbanization

The increasing population shift from rural to urban areas, leading to city growth and changes in lifestyle.

Confucian ideals

Values advocating respect for elders, social harmony, and stability, influencing Chinese culture and society.

Women’s roles in the Qing Dynasty

Traditionally subordinate, often arranged in marriages, limited to domestic roles, and subjected to practices like foot-binding.

Chinese Education Reforms

Changes aimed at modernizing education and increasing literacy, particularly after the Boxer Rebellion.

The GMD (Guomindang)

The Nationalist Party of China that ruled in the early 20th century, initially focused on modernizing China but often suppressed dissent.

Yuan Shikai

A Chinese military and government leader who became the first President of the Republic of China and sought to modernize the nation.

Protestant missionaries

Christian missionaries who played a role in introducing Western education but faced resistance from Chinese culture.

Tianjin Massacre

A violent incident in 1870 involving the killing of missionaries and Chinese Christians due to anti-Christian sentiment.

One Child Policy

A Chinese government policy established to control population growth by limiting families to one child.

Cixi

The Empress Dowager of China who played a significant role in the late Qing Dynasty and resisted modernization.

Rural vs Urban China

The disparity in living standards, education, and economic opportunities between rural peasants and urban dwellers.

The tribute system

A network of trade and foreign relations in which countries acknowledged China's superiority and sent tributes.

Western influence in China

The impact of Western cultures and ideologies on Chinese society that led to both admiration and resentment.

Communes in China

Collective farming units established during the socialist era to increase agricultural production.

Cultural impacts of Communism

Changes in Chinese society including the suppression of traditional values and practices in favor of Communist ideology.

Role of Eunuchs in Imperial China

Castrated men who served in the imperial palace and played significant roles in court politics.

Nationalism in China

A political sentiment advocating for a strong unified nation, emphasized during the May 4th Movement and later by the GMD.

Communist propaganda

Public communication aimed at promoting Communist ideology and discrediting other beliefs.

Social class struggles

Struggles between different social classes in China, especially between elites, middle classes, average peasants, and workers.

Pinyin

A Romanization system for Mandarin Chinese that aids in understanding the language across different regions.