Chinese History Flashcards

Flashcards on Chinese History

Dynastic Cycle

Pattern in Chinese history where dynasties rise, prosper, decline, and are replaced.

Dynasty

A ruling family that maintains power for several generations.

Buddhism

A religion from India promoting enlightenment through ethical living, meditation, and wisdom.

Mandate of Heaven

The divine right to rule, lost by corrupt rulers and gained by just ones.

Qing Dynasty

Rose when Manchus overthrew Ming; fell due to corruption, rebellion, and foreign pressure.

Sun Yat-sen

Wanted nationalism, democracy, and people's livelihood; ended imperial rule.

Chiang Kai-shek

Nationalist, anti-communist; aimed to unify China under KMT.

Mao Zedong

Believed in peasant-led revolution and Marxism; sought classless society.

Deng Xiaoping

Led market reforms under socialism; wanted to modernize economy.

Long March

CCP retreat from KMT; many died, but Mao gained leadership; symbol of resilience.

Great Leap Forward

Mao's plan for rapid industrialization; led to famine and millions of deaths.

Cultural Revolution

Mao's purge of capitalist elements; caused chaos, violence, and cultural loss.

Tiananmen Square

1989 student protests for democracy; ended in military crackdown and deaths.

Boxer Rebellion

Anti-foreign uprising; crushed by foreign powers; weakened Qing.

Taiping Rebellion

Religious civil war led by Hong Xiuquan; millions died; weakened Qing.

Opium War

Fought over British opium trade; China lost and was forced into unequal treaties.

Revolution of 1911

Overthrew Qing Dynasty; began the Republic of China.

Treaty of Nanking

Ended Opium War; gave Britain Hong Kong; marked start of unequal treaties.

Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

Ruling party of China since 1949; Marxist origins, now allows market reforms.

Kuomintang (KMT)

Nationalist party; lost civil war to CCP and retreated to Taiwan.

Sino-Japanese War

Japan invaded China; weakened KMT and increased CCP support.

Four Modernizations

Deng's reforms in agriculture, industry, defense, and science.

Status of women - Imperial China

subservient, foot-binding.

Status of women - Modern China

improved rights but still face challenges.

Communism

Classless society with collective ownership.

Marxism

Theory by Karl Marx; proletarian revolution to achieve socialism.

Capitalism

Economic system based on private ownership and profit.

China & Taiwan

PRC claims Taiwan; Taiwan sees itself as a separate democratic entity.

China & Tibet

PRC annexed Tibet; ongoing conflict over autonomy and culture.

China & Hong Kong

Returned to China in 1997; autonomy eroding under PRC control.

People's Republic of China

Communist state founded by Mao in 1949.

People's Liberation Army (PLA)

Armed forces of the CCP; key to maintaining control.

China & Russia - similarities

Both had communist revolutions

China & Russia - differences

China relied on peasants, Russia on workers.

Bolshevik vs. Chinese Communist Revolution

Russia = urban workers, China = rural peasants.

Formation of Chinese Republic

Established in 1912 after Qing fall; first democracy attempt.

Maoism

Mao's ideology emphasizing rural revolution and ideological purity.

Market economy

Economic system based on supply and demand; China adopted it post-1978.

One Party, Two Systems

Policy giving Hong Kong limited autonomy under PRC.

Social Classes of Imperial China

Gentry (elite), Peasants (respected), Artisans, Merchants (least respected).

Three Gorges Dam

Hydroelectric dam providing power; caused environmental and social issues.

Huang He (Yellow River)

Cradle of Chinese civilization; known for frequent devastating floods.

Special Economic Zones (SEZ)

Zones with relaxed economic rules to attract foreign investment.

Red Guards

Youth enforcers of Maoist ideology during the Cultural Revolution.

Spheres of Influence

Foreign powers' control over Chinese trade/territory in late Qing.

Chinese Civil War

Fought between CCP and KMT (1927-49); CCP won, KMT fled to Taiwan.