Chinese History & Politics: Dynasties, Confucianism, and Modern Movements

Dynastic Cycle

The historical pattern of the rise, decline, and replacement of dynasties in Chinese history.

Confucius

An ancient Chinese philosopher whose teachings emphasized morality, family loyalty, and social harmony.

Mandate of Heaven

A political and religious doctrine used in Chinese history to justify the rule of the emperor, asserting that heaven grants the right to rule based on virtue.

Five Fundamental Relationships

Confucian concept outlining the five key relationships that govern social order: ruler-subject, father-son, husband-wife, elder brother-younger brother, and friend-friend.

Han

A major dynasty in Chinese history (206 BC - 220 AD) known for its cultural and technological advancements.

Bureaucracy

A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.

Manchu

An ethnic group from northeastern China that established the Qing dynasty and ruled China from 1644 to 1912.

Qing

The last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912, known for its expansion and cultural achievements.

Middle Kingdom

A term used by the Chinese to refer to their country, reflecting the belief that China is the center of civilization.

Tributary System

A network of trade and foreign relations between China and its tributary states, where the latter acknowledged Chinese superiority in exchange for trade benefits.

Opium Wars

Two conflicts (1839-1842 and 1856-1860) between China and Western powers, primarily Britain, over trade imbalances and the opium trade.

Self-Strengthening

A late 19th-century movement in China aimed at modernizing the military and economy while maintaining Confucian values.

Empress Dowager Cixi

A powerful and influential figure in late Qing dynasty China who effectively controlled the Chinese government from 1861 until her death in 1908.

Nationalism in China

A political movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries advocating for Chinese sovereignty and unity against foreign influence.

Republic of China

The government established in 1912 after the fall of the Qing dynasty, marking the end of imperial rule in China.

Qiu Jin

A Chinese revolutionary and feminist who played a significant role in the early 20th-century movement for women's rights and the overthrow of the Qing dynasty.

Communist Manifesto

A political pamphlet written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in 1848 that outlines the principles of communism and critiques capitalism.