flashcards asian worlds quest

The Republic of China

China’s government after the Qing Dynasty ended, starting in 1912.

1911 Revolution

The revolution that ended the Qing Dynasty and started the Republic of China.

Sun Yat-Sen

The leader who helped overthrow the Qing Dynasty and became the first president of the Republic of China.

Yuan Shi-Kai

The first president after Sun Yat-Sen, who ruled from 1912–1916.

Puyi

The last emperor of China, who ruled until 1912, then became a puppet ruler of Manchukuo in 1934.

Warlords Period

A time when China was controlled by local military leaders, not a single government.

Nationalists (Kuomintang/KMT)

A political party founded by Sun Yat-Sen to unite China under a single government.

3 People’s Principles

Sun Yat-Sen’s ideas about Nationalism, Democracy, and People’s Livelihood.

Marxism

A political theory that says workers should control the government and economy.

Karl Marx

A philosopher whose ideas inspired many communist movements.

Bourgeoisie and Proletariat

In Marxism, the bourgeoisie is the rich class, and the proletariat is the working class.

Socialism and Communism

Systems where the government controls the economy to make things equal, with Communism aiming to remove all classes.

CCP (Chinese Communist Party)

The political party founded in 1921 and later became China’s ruling party.

Mao Zedong

Leader of the CCP who became China’s ruler after they won the Civil War.

Maoism

Mao’s version of Marxism, made to fit China’s rural areas and focus on revolution.

'Dixie Mission'

A U.S. mission to meet Chinese Communist leaders during World War II.

Chiang Kai-Shek

Leader of the Nationalists (KMT) and Mao’s main opponent during the Civil War.

1st United Front

A short-term alliance between the KMT and CCP to fight warlords.

Shanghai Massacre

Chiang Kai-Shek’s forces killed many Communists in Shanghai.

Northern Expedition

The KMT’s military campaign to unite China under their control.

2nd Sino-Japanese War

The war between China and Japan, part of World War II.

Manchukuo

A puppet state set up by Japan in northeast China.

Long March

A retreat by the CCP to escape the KMT, later seen as a symbol of Communist strength.

2nd United Front

The KMT and CCP joined forces to fight Japan during World War II.

Chinese Civil War

The war between the KMT and the CCP, which ended with the CCP’s victory.

The People's Republic of China

The government set up by the CCP after their victory in the Civil War, founded on October 1, 1949.

Guanxi

The importance of personal relationships and connections in Chinese culture.

Land Reform

The government took land from rich landowners and gave it to poor farmers.

1st Five Year Plan

Government plans aimed at rapidly growing China’s economy.

100 Flowers Movement

A time when the government encouraged people to speak out, but then punished critics.

Anti-Rightist Campaign

A campaign that punished people who criticized the government during the 100 Flowers Movement.

Great Leap Forward (2nd Five Year Plan)

A failed campaign to quickly industrialize China, which caused a major famine.

The Great Famine

A food shortage caused by the Great Leap Forward, leading to millions of deaths.

Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution

A movement led by Mao to get rid of capitalist influences and strengthen Communism.

Little Red Book

A book of Mao’s ideas, used during the Cultural Revolution.

Red Guards

Young people sent to attack anyone who opposed Mao’s ideas during the Cultural Revolution.

“Counter-revolutionaries”/“Capitalist Roaders”

Labels for people who were seen as enemies of Mao’s revolution.

Pragmatists

Leaders who wanted practical solutions to China’s problems, instead of sticking to strict Communist ideas.

The Lost Generation

Young people who were sent to rural areas during the Cultural Revolution, missing out on education and careers.

1976

The year Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai died, ending the Cultural Revolution.

Gang of Four

A group of leaders, including Mao’s wife, who were blamed for the Cultural Revolution’s excesses and arrested after Mao’s death.

Deng Xiaoping

The leader who took over after Mao’s death in 1978-89 and started economic reforms in the late 1970s.

Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

Deng’s idea of mixing Communist principles with market reforms to grow the economy.

Special Economic Zones

Areas where China allowed market-driven policies and foreign investment to help the economy grow.

Tiananmen Square Massacre

The violent government crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Beijing on June 4, 1989.