Imperial China to Modern China: A Historical Overview

Dynasty

Series of rulers from the same family

Dynastic Cycle

Pattern of rise, rule and decline of Chinese dynasties

Mandate of Heaven

Divine right to rule granted to a dynasty; if ruler became corrupt, Mandate would be revoked, leading to rebellion + rise of new dynasty

Gentry

Landowners, scholars, bureaucrats (high society, respected)

Peasants

Majority of population, poor

Artisans

Craftspeople + laborers, create goods for economy

Merchants

Low status because they did not produce goods

Status of Women (Imperial China)

Low social status, limited roles in society, confined to the home

Huang He (Yellow River)

Vital for agriculture; often flooded → fertile soil but also destruction

Buddhism

Introduced to China from India; influenced culture, art, philosophy, politics

Rise of the Qing Dynasty (1644)

Founded by Manchu people; after the Ming Dynasty; expanded territory including Taiwan, Tibet, Central Asia; adopted Chinese traditions + blend with Manchu customs

Opium Wars (1839 - 1842; 1856 - 1860)

First Opium War: Britain exported opium into China → widespread addiction + societal issues; China attempted to ban opium = First Opium War = China's defeat

Second Opium War

British + French wanted to expand trade + force China to accept foreign diplomats; also wanted to open more trading ports/allow foreigners in China; weakened Qing dynasty due to interference from external nations

Treaty of Nanking (1842)

Ended First Opium War; forced China to accept foreign influence; gave up Hong Kong + open trade ports under foreign control; an unequal treaty → increased foreign control over economy

Spheres of Influence

Region where a foreign power has influence (trading, privileges, etc) even though they don't have direct control in the territory; dominant influence over important affairs.

Qing Dynasty

Remained in power, but foreign nations controlled key regions.

Spheres of Influence

Foreign control exposed weakness in the Qing Dynasty.

Taiping Rebellion

Led by Hong Xiuquan; aimed to overthrow Qing Dynasty with radical social reforms.

Boxer Rebellion

Anti-foreign, anti-Christian uprising that resulted in intervention by the 8-Nation Alliance.

8-Nation Alliance

Consisted of GB, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, US, Italy, Austria-Hungary.

Revolution of 1911

Resulted in the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and establishment of the Republic of China.

Fall of the Qing Dynasty

Ended with the abdication of the last emperor (Puyi) and the establishment of the Republic of China.

Republic of China

Formed in 1912 after the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty.

Sun Yat-sen

Known as the 'Father of the Chinese Republic,' aimed to modernize and unify China.

Kuomintang (KMT)

Founded by Sun Yat-sen; aimed to establish a republican government based on Western models.

Chiang Kai-shek

Leader/President of Republic of China after Sun Yat-sen, focused on nationalism and economic modernization.

Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

Founded in 1921 to establish a Marxist state based on leadership of the working class.

Mao Zedong

Founding member of the CCP, believed in a peasant-based revolution.

The Long March

A 6000 mile retreat by the CCP with over 80,000 casualties; solidified Mao's leadership.

Sino-Japanese War

Conflict from 1937 to 1945 where KMT and CCP worked together against Japan.

Chinese Civil War

Conflict between KMT and CCP over control of China from 1927 to 1949.

Communism

Based on Marxist-Leninist principles but with adaptations (Maoism); government controls industries.

Marxism

Goal of creating a classless society where means of production are controlled by the working class.

Mao's China

Period from 1949 to 1976 when the People's Republic of China was established under Mao.

People's Liberation Army (PLA)

Military force of the CCP, not allowed to interfere in the cultural revolution.

Maoism

Focus on agricultural proletariat and mobilization of 'the masses' for political reforms.

The Great Leap Forward

Mao's plan for rapid agricultural and industrial growth that resulted in famine and 20 million dead.

Collectivization

State owns land and farmers work for the state, which controls harvests.

Communes

Government combines villages and controls every aspect of life.

Steel Making Campaign

A campaign aimed at increasing steel production in China.

Four Pests campaign

A campaign targeting rats, flies, mosquitos, and sparrows to improve public health.

Cultural Revolution (1966 - 1976)

A sociopolitical movement initiated to reassert control after the Great Leap Forward, aiming to eliminate capitalist elements.

Red Guards

Radical students mobilized during the Cultural Revolution to attack intellectuals and perceived enemies.

Reeducation camps

Camps where individuals were sent to learn peasant skills, often involving public humiliation and abuse.

1.5 million deaths

The estimated number of deaths resulting from the actions during the Cultural Revolution.

Deng Xiaoping

A Chinese leader who introduced economic reforms focusing on development and market economy.

Four Modernizations

Initiatives introduced by Deng Xiaoping to modernize agriculture, industry, national defense, and science and technology.

Special Economic Zones

Areas created by Deng Xiaoping to encourage foreign trade and investment as part of capitalist reforms.

Tiananmen Square Massacre (1989)

A violent suppression of pro-democracy protests in Beijing, resulting in hundreds to thousands of deaths.

One Party, Two Systems

A policy proposed by Deng Xiaoping to reunify Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan while allowing them to maintain their systems.

China & Hong Kong

The 1997 return of Hong Kong to China, intended to retain its political freedom and capitalist economy for 50 years.

China & Taiwan

The ongoing issue where Taiwan is viewed by China as a breakaway province despite its self-governing status.

China & Tibet

The annexation of Tibet by China in 1951, leading to issues of human rights and autonomy.

Sino-Soviet Split

The tensions that arose between China and the USSR due to differing approaches to communism and relations with the West.

Bolshevik Revolution vs Communist Revolution

The Bolshevik Revolution was a coup, while the Communist Revolution in China was a full-scale civil war.

Three Gorges Dam

The largest hydroelectric power station on the Yangtze River, controversial for its environmental impact and displacement of people.

Capitalism

An economic system that emerged under Deng Xiaoping, characterized by the growth of private businesses and foreign investments.