Chinese Communist Revolution and Modern China: Key Events and Leaders

Guomindang

Led by Sun Yat-Sen to overthrow the last emperor (Chinese nationalists), wanted to rid of foreigners, improve Chinese economy, and move towards democracy

Yuan Shigai

General who initially helped fight against imperial forces, became dictator by pushing Sun Yet-sen out of power, created his own dynasty and called himself emperor before dying in 1916, death leads to civil war

Chiang Kai-Shek

Becomes new leader of the Chinese nationalists when Sun Yat-Sen dies, fights against all the other forces for power

Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

Formed in Shanghai in 1921 with influence and support from the Soviet Union

Shanghai Massacre

1927 event where the KMT (Guomindang) round up the CCP members and torture and kill them, Mao Zedong emerges as communist leader

Mao Zedong

Emerges as leader of the communist party, preaches guerrilla warfare and raises an arm of 250,000 peasants (Red Army), killed 50-75 million people

The Long March

1934 journey of 6,000 miles with 100,000 men from the Red Army, losing 80% of their men by the end

Japan invades China

1931 invasion of Manchuria leading to warfare between the Chinese and the Japanese

The Rape of Nanking

Japanese march on Nanking resulting in the killing of 300,000 Chinese civilians

Communist Party Policies and Beliefs

Increased peasant support, Women supported Mao because they received some more rights from him, banned food binding, "Intelligentsia" feel the nationalists are more morally/politically bankrupt

People's Republic of China

Established on October 1, 1949, after Mao and CCP win causing the nationalists flee to Taiwan

Mao's rule and Policies

improvement of heavy industry, land is distributed to peasants (proletariat), does not form a traditional communist bourgeoisie, propaganda, command economy

Mao's first five year plan

Industry grows by 15%, agriculture decreases

Great Leap Forward

Mao's initiative to catch up with western powers focusing on improving agriculture and industry (steal), Collectivization and quotas for the communes, fails and leads to criticism of Mao and CCP

The Four Pests Campaign

Mao's campaign to eliminate rats, mosquitoes, flies, and sparrows, leading to ecological disaster

The Great Famine

1960 famine that killed 45 million people due to failed agricultural policies

The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution

1966 attempt by Mao to silence critics, leading to a crackdown on bourgeoisie and the 'four olds'

Tiananmen Square

1989 student rally for democratic rights that was violently suppressed by the government

One Child Policy

1979-2015 policy aimed at controlling population growth, preventing up to 300 million births, changes to 2 children, then 3 after a gender imbalance takes place

Deng Xiaoping

Emerges as leader after Mao, known for the 'Four Modernizations' (agriculture, industry, science/tech and military) and economic reforms, "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics"

Belt and Road Initiative

Project under Xi Jinping to connect the world with China for trade

Social Credit Score

System in China where citizens are scored based on actions and payments

Military Growth

China's expansion includes building islands in the South China Sea for military purposes

Xi Jinping

Current leader of China, took power in 2013 and removed term limits

Hong Kong's return to China

1997 event marking the end of British rule over Hong Kong

Tank Man

Individual who stood in front of tanks during the Tiananmen Square protests

Cultural Revolution

Period of sociopolitical upheaval in China initiated by Mao to enforce communism

Economic Reforms

Policies introduced by Deng Xiaoping that led to significant economic growth in China

Gender Imbalance

Result of the One Child Policy leading to millions of female infanticides