Key Events and Policies in Modern Chinese and Japanese History Save Groups

The Meiji Restoration (1868)

Overthrew the Tokugawa Shogunate and restored imperial rule. Motivated by fear of Western imperialism (colonization); Goal was rapid centralization and modernization.

The Meiji Constitution (1889)

Issued by Imperial Edict; solidified the Emperor's supreme power. Limited legislative power of the people (Popular Rights Movement) and emphasized gradual political advance.

Manchurian Incident (1931)

Kwantung Army staged an attack (Mukden) to seize Manchuria.

Manchukuo (1932)

Established as a Japanese puppet state, with ex-Qing Emperor Pu Yi as figurehead.

Japanese Expansion Motive (1930s)

The Great Depression led to the belief that Japan required a closed, self-sufficient bloc created by colonizing East Asia.

Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

Ultranationalist Japanese ideology used to justify colonization, claiming to free Asia from Western control while masking Japanese imperialism.

The Tongzhi Restoration (1862-1874)

Qing dynasty's attempt at internal revival (Self-Strengthening). Advocated for urgent need to acquire and manufacture modern ships and guns (Lin Zexu).

The Boxer Rebellion (1898-1900) Cause

Fueled by intense anti-foreign and anti-Christian sentiment. Opposition was based on Christianity violating core Confucian principles (e.g., filial piety/ancestor veneration).

Collapse of Old Order (1911)

Collapse of the Qing Dynasty (last imperial dynasty), resulting in a chaotic era of warlordism.

New Culture Movement (c. 1915)

Intellectual movement arguing cultural reform was necessary. Advocated for Science and Democracy and replaced classical writing with the vernacular language.

The May Fourth Incident (1919)

Student protests in Beijing over the Versailles Treaty giving German holdings in Shandong to Japan. Merged intellectual critique with mass nationalist action.

CCP Founding

Formally established in 1921 with support from the Comintern (Soviet Union).

First United Front (1923)

Alliance between the CCP and the KMT (Nationalists, led by Sun Yat-sen) to defeat warlords and unify China.

Northern Expedition (1926) & 1927 Purge

KMT military campaign led by Chiang Kai-shek to unify China. Ended when Chiang violently purged the Communists (CCP) in major cities.

The Nanjing Decade (KMT Rule, 1928-1937)

KMT national government focused on urban modernization but was plagued by corruption and primarily focused on annihilating the CCP.

Mao Zedong's Strategy after 1927

Developed guerrilla warfare based on mobilizing the peasantry (instead of the urban proletariat).

The Long March (1934-1935)

Strategic retreat of the CCP from KMT forces; cemented Mao's leadership (Zunyi Conference); established new base at Yan'an.

Second United Front (1936)

Alliance between the KMT and CCP, forced by the Xi'an Incident, to suspend the civil war and jointly resist Japan.

WWII in China (1937-1945)

Started with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. KMT retreated to Chongqing; CCP grew via guerrilla warfare. Marked by atrocities like the Rape of Nanjing.

Pacific War Turning Point

Battle of Midway (June 1942), which halted Japan's expansion.

Dower Thesis (War Without Mercy)

Argues the Pacific War was a race war driven by intense racial hatred and dehumanization on both sides (e.g., Allied portrayal of Japanese as "ape-men").

The Chinese Civil War (1945-1949) Outcome

CCP (Mao) defeated the KMT (Chiang Kai-shek). KMT failed due to hyperinflation and corruption.

Founding of the PRC (1949)

People's Republic of China proclaimed Oct 1, 1949. Established a "People's Democratic Dictatorship." Early policy followed the Soviet model (heavy industry).

The Great Leap Forward (1958-1961)

Mao's policy to rapidly accelerate communism using communes and "backyard furnaces." Led to catastrophic famine and deaths of tens of millions of peasants.

The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976)

Mao launched it to reassert power and purge "revisionists." Mobilized radical student groups (Red Guards) for public violence and humiliation.

Nixon and Mao (1972)

U.S. President Richard Nixon met with Mao Zedong; signified the normalization of relations between the two countries to counter the Soviet Union.

Meiji-era Economic Characteristics

Proto-Industrialization, high Literacy, strong Print culture (woodblocks), and Far-flung Markets.

Meiji-era Fiscal Policy

Dealt with budget deficits primarily by cutting samurai stipends.

Meiji-era Cultural Policy

Reversal of cultural influences due to the West's superior political and technological power.

Treaty of Amity and Commerce (1858)

Treaty that opened Japan to Western trade and influence.

Meiji "Enlightened Rule"

The goal of wanting to be as civilized as the West.

End of Meiji Era

Marked by the death of the Meiji emperor (1912).

Itagaki Taisuke

Named the founding father of the new Japan.

Ito Hirobumi

Key figure in the Meiji government, associated with the drafting of the Constitution.

Meiji Electorate Size

Only 5% of the male population was initially allowed to vote.

Meiji Foreign Policy Aim

Used cultural appeal to persuade Western powers to get rid of unequal treaties.

Russo-Japanese War (1904-05)

Key victory for Japan, marking a win against a white power.

Japanese Expansion Post-War

Japan annexed Korea (1910) and later gained control of Manchuria (1931).

South Manchurian Railway

Semi-private, semi-governmental entity that was a powerful government-like entity in Manchuria.

Kwantung Army

Japanese army stationed along the South Manchurian Railway line.

Japan's 1937 Invasion of China

Launched from Manchuria in 1937.

Open Door Policy

American foreign policy in China that was threatened by Japanese expansion.

Self-Strengthening Movement

Reformism attempt post-Opium War defeat aimed at learning about foreign guns and ships.

Sino-Japanese War (1894-95)

Major conflict that exposed China's weakness (More Trouble for the Qing).

Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925)

The founding father of the Republic of China and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT).

Sun Yat-sen's Education

Educated in Japan, British Hong Kong, and Hawaii on political reform.

KMT Rule (Dates)

The Nationalist Party ruled from 1923 to 1949.

Three Principles of the People

Nationalism, Democracy, People's Livelihood (economic justice).

Sun Yat-sen's Economic View

Pragmatic and Flexible; believed in private ownership.

Second United Front (WWII)

Described as Anti-Japan China (alliance between KMT and CCP).